Shooting Olympic History

Britain's Paula Radcliffe cries in a vehicle after retiring from the women's marathon in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in Greece August 22, 2004. Yannis Behrakis: “The 2004 Olympics was a very special assignment for me since Athens is my town. The women's marathon was not an event I was initially going to cover. In fact, I had the morning off. On the morning of August 22, a colleague called me frantically to tell me that he had information that the favourite to win the race, the British athlete Paula Radcliffe, had retired about seven kilometres before the end of the 42km race. I took my equipment, jumped on my moped and drove through back roads and alleys – as all roads were blocked by police – to the place about ten blocks north of my home in Athens. When I arrived, Radcliffe was trying to continue the race but she looked totally overwhelmed by the heat and humidity. At some point she sat on a pavement crying. I shot some pictures, trying my very best not to be intrusive, she seemed lost and unaware. A few supporters holding British flags tried to comfort her. Shortly afterward a special vehicle arrived to collect her and a couple of other athletes. When she entered the vehicle, I guess, she had finally realised that it was all over and at that moment she collapsed. I shot two frames through the window. (Photo by Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)
Shooting Olympic History
   
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