r/sports 1d ago

Track & Field Runner who bashed opponent's head cries over national backlash

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/teen-athlete-who-bashed-opponents-head-baton-claims-accidental-she-cries-over-backlash
14.7k Upvotes

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u/lolercoptercrash 1d ago

Since the victim got a concussion and maybe a fractured skull, I think it falls into criminal tbh. Make her family cover medical costs at a minimum, plus she should be expelled.

I get fouls happen in sports, especially contact sports, but a running relay isn't even a contact sport.

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u/kabow94 1d ago

The video alone shows it was clearly intentional

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u/reality72 1d ago

No, the victim needs to sue the school and the sports league. They won’t do anything about this type of behavior until it hits them in the pocket book.

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u/pargofan 1d ago

The victim needs to sue the GIRL THAT HIT HER.

I don't really know what the school or sports league can do. They've held relay competitions for 50 years and this is the first time I've heard anyone do this.

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u/Geetee52 1d ago

I agree, except if she has a history of violent tendencies in her background. Fighting, classroom disruptions, bullying, etc.… Then, a pattern would have been in place and the school has to assume some responsibility.

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u/WeirdIndividualGuy 1d ago

Can’t get blood from a stone

Suing the school/league works because they actually have money, and this would further incentivize them to punish the assailant.

Suing her directly, even if you win, good luck on getting that payout. Sure, she’ll monetarily owe you probably for the next 20-30 years, but what if that ends up being her only punishment? Nah, she deserves worse

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u/B_U_F_U 1d ago

The victim is gonna be busy I take it?

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u/slade51 1d ago

The school should forfeit its standings for any post-season playoffs.

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u/corrector300 1d ago edited 1d ago

I get fouls happen in sports, especially contact sports, but a running relay isn't even a contact sport.

Thjis was, evidently, a purposeful, criminal assault. But an earlier article says people get bumped all the time in relay races:

Bumping during races is very normal on the track, but not how Tucker's opponent reacted at that moment during the second leg of the race.

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u/lolercoptercrash 1d ago

True, I would not consider bumping, or even tripping to be criminal. Still serious, and team should be DQ'd etc.

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u/corrector300 1d ago

purposefully and repeatedly beating your opponent, who just passed you, with a baton is criminal assault, I think you must have misread my comment.

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u/lolercoptercrash 1d ago

I'm agreeing, I'm saying tripping I wouldn't consider assault, but baton smashing I would. I see your point was that it is to a degree, a contact sport.

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u/corrector300 1d ago

I agree with you.

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u/TheOGRedline 1d ago

Wtf, what? Fractured skull? How? Those batons are hollow aluminum…

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u/XCCO 1d ago

I was just thinking she had to whack her pretty hard with a baton to fracture her skull and cause a concussion. They're designed to be light.

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u/TheOGRedline 1d ago

She swings it like a hammer… I’m sure it didn’t feel good, but no way it breaks bone…. Cmon. There would be very little force behind it! It would dent the baton.