American sprinter Chris Robinson is preparing to return to the track after winning a 400m race last year despite an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. He is among the favourites to win the 400 metres at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, which begin on Thursday.
Stellar Track Record
Robinson boasts a stellar track record, including gold at the indoor championships in Poland earlier this year. However, he is perhaps best known for a notorious viral moment during last summer's Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava.
The Embarrassing Incident
At the start of the race, Robinson exploded from the blocks and began to approach the leaders on the back straight. With a full 250 metres remaining, his private parts made a sudden and unfortunate appearance from his shorts. Fans were left stunned as the hurdler frantically pulled at his underwear to fix things while sustaining a competitive rhythm.
Despite heavily clipping the final barrier and awkwardly readjusting his kit in the closing metres, Robinson thrust himself across the finish line to claim victory. Afterwards, the visibly mortified athlete collapsed flat on the track, exchanging awkward glances with his fellow competitors.
Worldwide Attention
The live broadcast from Metsky Stadium sent networks into a frenzy as they rushed to apologise to viewers. Television replays broadcast the mishap in high definition to audiences worldwide, including an unforgiving head-on angle of the final 50 metres.
World Athletics commentator Tim Hutchings said: "That's a brilliant run by the American to be constantly adjusting certain parts of his equipment and possibly his anatomy down the home straight there around that top bend there. He hit that ninth hurdle hard. He was having an equipment failure there. I think that is probably the politest way to put it."
Hutchings added: "There hasn't been time to censor them, but well done to Chris Robinson for battling a problem that does emerge occasionally. Perhaps in a race every two or three years you see scenes like this from men and women with parts of their equipment failing. It can make it very, very awkward, but that was a stunning effort to stay out in front with all that going on."
Unexpected Upside
The viral moment proved to have an unexpected upside, with apparel brand Shinesty approaching Robinson with a modelling contract showcasing their specialist briefs. Krakatoa Underwear also seized the opportunity, stepping in to kit out the hurdles champion with premium gear and continued support.
