Photo Finish! Runner Dives Head-First Across Finish Line to Take Olympic Gold
It was the dive seen around the world.
It was the dive seen around the world as Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas dove head-first across the finish line to edge past Team USA's Allyson Felix for Olympic gold.
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At the very end of the 400-meter final Monday, Miller and Felix were neck-and-neck until the Bahamian jumped as if there was a pool on the track.
Social media quickly erupted in chatter, with many questioning whether the dive was legal.
Me: Oh wao that was an amazing race/dive/jump/trick/game#Olympics broadcaster: pic.twitter.com/CmPYO8kssY
— Ruth Tam (@ruthetam) August 16, 2016
Michael Phelps reaction when he saw Shaunae Miller dive to beat Allyson Felix in the 400 meter race #Olympics pic.twitter.com/NUlqHP4a2U
— LiberalValuesNetwork (@lordxmen2k) August 16, 2016
I didn't know you could dive to win a race in the Olympics
— Chris (@MrChrisRuss) August 16, 2016
In no world should you be able to DIVE to win an #Olympics Track and Field Race.
— Mary Kate Sweeney (@mksweens1205) August 16, 2016
No hunny this a race, don't dive. Run. I don't respect her for that. They robbed Felix #Olympics
— Paige Fletcher (@PaigeLeighann) August 16, 2016
Former Olympian Lolo Jones tweeted: "America we have won medals off of dives, so please have more class."
America we have won medals off of dives, so please have more class about Miller. https://t.co/KWcEQFG9ue
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
Jones also defended Miller in a series of tweets:
I get ur mad but Miller doesn't deserve this.
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
Both girls finished with heart. Both gave it their all.
Diving across the finish line feels like pic.twitter.com/JxthHbUr9y
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
Ppl are mad Miller won with a dive but most pro's at one point have used that tactic to win. Miller didn't cheat Allyson, she won fair.
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
Depends. A photo finish measures from chest, so diving can help. If you dive too soon hurts-lose one step of speed https://t.co/0Rx2HYM0Lz
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
EPIC RACE!!!!!!!! You ladies have GRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 16, 2016
Felix, whose silver medal makes her the most-decorated American female in Olympic track and field history, was asked about the dive on the Today show Tuesday.
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She said: “It happens every now and then.”
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