SAM KENDRICKS shocked fans as he appeared covered in blood during the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics.
The American athlete competed in Monday night’s final at the Stade de France.
However, he came into trouble off camera before suddenly appearing with blood up his arm and shoulder during the BBC coverage of the event.
The broadcast cut back to the pole vault final following Keely Hodgkinson’s victory in the women’s 800m final.
Kendricks was about to make his third attempt at 6.00m as coverage of the pole vault resumed.
The commentators quickly noticed the blood as he failed to clear the height, with fans also left shocked on social media.
One viewer wrote: “Um… is the US pole vaulter covered in blood? I think I missed something while sport hopping.”
Another added: “The American pole vaulter is covered in blood???”
A third fan also commented: “Don’t love the American pole vaulter having blood all over himself from burst blisters on his hands or something?????”
Meanwhile, one more said: “American pole vaulter doing his last vault with blood all over his arm is pretty hardcore.”
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The 31-year-old later provided an explanation, though, having cut his hand on his spikes before wiping the blood on his arm.
He told reporters: “I’ve got very sharp spikes.
“As I was really committing to first jump at six meters (19 feet, 6 1/4 inches), I punctured my hand three times and it wouldn’t stop bleeding.
“And rather than wipe it on my nice uniform, I had to wipe it on my arm. I tried not to get any blood on Old Glory for no good purposes.””
Kendricks’ failed third attempt at 6.00m meant he had to settle for a silver medal to go with the bronze he won in Rio eight years ago.
Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took bronze, with Armand Duplantis claiming a stunning gold medal.
The Swedish pole vaulter went on to set a new world record by clearing 6.25m as he successfully defended his Olympic title.
He broke the record of 6.24m he previously set in China back in April.
