Running News Daily

Kemoy Campbell is improving and is now even smiling after collapsing at the Millrose Games Saturday

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says the Jamaican government will assist Jamaican distance runner, Kemoy Campbell, who collapsed at the Millrose Games in New York. 

Campbell, who was functioning as a pacesetter in the 3000m has been hospitalised since the incident on Saturday.

Grange, in a statement today, disclosed she has reached out to the athlete's family and management and has been “making arrangements to assist with Kemoy's care."

Grange said Campbell is registered with the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Programme and is able to access benefits under the scheme. 

In addition, the minister said she has mandated the Sports Development Foundation to be ready to assist with his immediate needs.

“We continue to pray for Kemoy's recovery and assure him and his family that Jamaica will be there for them during this time.  We have been in discussions about what he requires now and we are committed to doing what is necessary to see that he gets the best care and achieves a full recovery,” said Grange.

The minister's statement follows the launch of a GoFundMe campaign, which seeks to raise US$100,000 to assist with Campbell's medical expenses.

LetsRun.com is reporting that he is doing better and smiling.  He does not remember the incident.

Matt O'Toole, Reebok's President, issued a statement to Sports Illustrated on Tuesday afternoon that the sportswear company will be donating $50,000 to assist with medical expenses.

"Kemoy is an important part of the Reebok family, and we are so happy to hear that he is making great progress," O'Toole said.

"As part of our family, we will stand behind him and support him in his recovery. We are making a contribution of $50,000 to help with his medical expenses.”

Is there a time when an indoor track event should be stopped to help a fallen runner like Komey Campbell?

Is there a situation when a race on an indoor track should be stopped when a medical emergency happens to one of the runners?  

If something happens to a football player on the field, the game is stopped so full attention can be given to the fallen player.  There seems to be a protocol in place for such situations.  

If there is a medical situation at a road race, 911 is called and a medical team is there on the spot normally within minutes.  There is normally plenty of space on the road so the race does continue and the fallen runner is given full attention by the medical team.

Indoor track is a different situation.  The space is more cramped and unlike a road race, runners are passing the same spot every 29 to 35 seconds or so.  Being on an indoor track is like being on a busy freeway compared to being on a country road. 

On Saturday Feb 9 at the Millrose Games in New York City the pacer, Kemoy Campbell for the men’s 3000 went down early in the race.  

Larry Allen who was watching from the stands describe the scene.  “The 3000m pacer, a Jamaican 2016 Olympian at 5k went down very suddenly right past the apex of the first turn after about 1000m and landed just off the track surface on the infield. He was clearly unconscious when he landed,” wrote Larry in a text. 

“He was down for 23 minutes (by news reports) and never moved a muscle. It took at least 2-3 minutes before anyone administered any medical help and then according to my Doctor friend, watching the meet with me, the mouth to mouth resuscitation efforts aren’t the current protocol. 

“CPR was crucial and it was a couple of more minutes before it was administered and according to my friend (in real time) the only thing that could’ve really helped was a portable defibrillator and I learned that it must be administered within 5 minutes in order to assure oxygen supply to the brain is maintained.  

“It was 7-10 minutes before he was shocked. There were a series of different people that attempted to resuscitate him by cpr (& mouth to mouth) before (and after) his heart was shocked. 

“There is a major hospital (Columbia Presbyterian) right outside the armory on that side and it is ultimately where he was taken. News reports today indicate that he is in the ICU in a medically induced coma. 

“It was traumatizing to witness up close.  My friend wanted to climb down from the balcony to try and help but there was no real way for him to get down and the back up over the banked track and fence along the top.  He was and is tormented by his inability to be in a place to offer help,” Larry concluded. 

This article is not meant to bring blame to anyone or any organization.  In all the years I have been following track I can not recall a similar situation. I am sure no one would have ever dreamed that something like this would ever happen.  

This was a well conditioned athelete and a runner qualified to pace such an elite field.  It should not have happen but it did.

The scene was very distributing for all of us there Saturday afternoon at the Games.  In my thinking it just makes the performances after the event even more amazing.  It is hard to imagine that Yomif could have 100% blocked out the traumatic scene that had just unfolded.  But maybe since he does not speak English he did.  In any case he almost set a new world record for the mile just 20 or so minutes after Campbell was removed from the stadium.  It was an amazing race to witness up close and personal right at the finish line however there still was somewhat of a fog hanging inside the arena. 

There is a question that should be addressed.  Should the 3000m race have been stopped so full attention could have been given to the down runner?  As it was, runners kept flying past him for several critical minutes making it more challenging for medical personnel and equipment to be at his side.

We hope that Kemoy Campbell will be able to have a full recovery.  Our hearts go out to him and his family. 

Reebok Announces New Pro Running Club

This week, Reebok announced the formation of its new pro running club which will be led by former Syracuse running coach Chris Fox. The Reebok Boston Track Club’s first major signing was Justyn Knight, seven-time All-American, 2017-18 NCAA Division 1 Cross Country champion and 5000-meter champ for Syracuse University.

“Reebok has a long history in running and is a brand that has always helped athletes push the limits of performance,” said Knight in a release. “It’s an honor to be the first member of the Reebok Boston Track Club and be part of the Reebok family. I obviously know Coach Fox well and I’m excited to work with him to develop and hone my skills on the track in the years to come.” Along with Knight, Jamaican distance runner Kemoy Campbell, Former Penn State runner Tori Gerlach and former Syracuse athlete Martin Hehir will join the team’s roster. With its new global headquarters in Boston, the club will spend a majority of its training time there and part of its time training in Charlottesville, Virginia.