Olympics fans have hailed ‘1000 IQ’ move after a hurdler deliberately finished his race last.
Team USA’s Freddie Crittenden made the decision to come last in his race on Sunday – being five seconds behind the winner, Grant Holloway at the 110m hurdles during the Summer Olympic games in Paris.
Later, the 29-year-old shared that he was ‘slightly injured’ and had an ‘aggravated muscle’. Instead of racing and leaving with a sub-par result because of his injuries, he decided to intentionally finish last and take advantage of a controversial rule that provides second chances.
In the sport of hurdles, the top three finishers go through along with the next three fastest athletes.
However, those who have a major loss, get a second chance to compete in a ‘repechage round,’
200 IQ move. Freddie Crittenden jogs through his hurdle heat knowing he will automatically qualify for the repechage round. 🧠 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/XavgR7DMev
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
He now qualifies for a 48-hour recovery and is due to race again on Tuesday 6 August.
He said, after his poor performance:
‘So, it was an intentional choice. It was either get top three or everyone gets through to the repechage. Every athlete has a chance to race in repechage.
‘So I decided to just not make an emotional choice, make a smart choice. Give my body time to recover a little bit from being aggravated. Lean on my medical doctors. Lean on God. And just wait for repechage round.
‘Come out [here] and try to kill it at the repechage round.’
Fans were quick to share on X what a genius move this was, with some saying:
‘Genius level move. Good for him.’
‘Freddie Crittenden had me SHOOOOK’
