Five athletes who flopped in the Olympics.

The Olympic Games always present a stage where established stars aim to shine and new talents have the chance to emerge. 

However, the pressure and unpredictability of the events mean that not everyone can meet expectations. 

Here’s a look at some of the notable athletes who faced challenges at the recent Olympics:

1. Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) – High Jump

Mutaz Essa Barshim, the high jump icon, did not leave empty-handed, but a bronze medal was below expectations for the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Barshim, known for his relaxed approach and confidence, was outperformed by his competitors this time, though he still secured a spot on the podium.

2. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) – Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner, faced unexpected challenges in his quest for a third consecutive Olympic gold. 

Known for his dominance in the marathon, Kipchoge struggled with the hilly course and appeared to experience discomfort during the race. 

Unable to maintain his pace, he eventually withdrew, leading to a British newspaper headline: “World’s greatest marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge takes TAXI to the finish line after he was forced to walk and then quit the race.”

3. Hansle Parchment (Jamaica) – 110m Hurdles

Defending champion Hansle Parchment faced a difficult challenge in retaining his title in the 110m hurdles. 

Known for his thrilling duels with American Grant Holloway, Parchment’s performance in Paris was below par. 

Struggling to reach the final, he ultimately finished last as Holloway claimed victory, demonstrating the difficulties even top athletes face when competing against strong rivals.

These athletes, despite not achieving their desired outcomes, continue to be inspirations in their respective sports. 

The Olympic stage is as much about resilience and learning as it is about winning, and these experiences often fuel future successes.

4. Selemon Barega (Ethiopia) – 10,000m

At just 24, Selemon Barega had already made a name for himself by winning the 10,000m gold in Tokyo. 

Expectations were high for him to defend his title against Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei. 

Despite a strong Ethiopian presence and strategy in the race, Barega and his compatriots could not match Cheptegei’s decisive move, which left them unable to respond effectively.

5. Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) – 100m

Ferdinand Omanyala entered the Paris Olympics as one of the top sprinters, holding the second-fastest 100m time in 2024 with 9.78 seconds, just behind Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson (9.77). Omanyala had been criticized for performing best on home soil and aimed to silence his doubters at the Olympics. 

He started well by winning Heat 2 of the 100m race in 10.08 seconds, securing a spot in the semifinals.

Unfortunately, he was unable to progress further, finishing second from last in his semifinal with a time of 10.08 seconds. 

Kishane Thompson, who won that race, went on to win silver in the final.

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