American Runner Loses Medal After Celebrating Just a Little Too Early

Here's another great example of why coaches always stress runners should hold off celebrating until after the race is over.

American distance runner Molly Huddle appeared to have a bronze medal wrapped up in the 10,000-meter race at the world championships in Beijing, China.

However, instead of running through the finish line, Huddle chose to raise her arms over her head. As she slowed down, teammate Emily Infeld kept running and leaned into the finish, edging out Huddle for the bronze medal.

Women's 10k Drama. @MollyHuddle celebrates too early and HANDS bronze to @emily_infeld. omg https://t.co/b8sixFJTOE pic.twitter.com/Wq9fLTnVfa

— LetsRun.com (@letsrundotcom) August 24, 2015

Within steps of the finish line, as Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot is shown smiling about her first-place win followed by silver medalist Gelete Burka of Ethiopia and bronze medal winner American Emily Infeld, Huddle appeared to realize what had just happened.

Agony & Ecstasy in the Women's 10,000: Molly Huddle Gives the Bronze Away to Emily ... - https://t.co/lGzX3hatRF pic.twitter.com/1UUNvkmJMp

— LetsRun.com (@letsrundotcom)

August 24, 2015

Watch the final stretch of the 10,000-meter race here:

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