Birhan Getahun: Ethiopian Suffers Brutal Injury in Steeplechase Qualifying

Ethiopian track and field athlete Birhan Getahun suffered a brutal injury in the qualifying round of the men's steeplechase on Friday at the 2012 London Olympics (via USA Today).

Getahun crashed hard into a hurdle on the final lap and was unable to finish his heat.

Getahun attempted to finish the 3,000-meter steeplechase but was forced to exit the stadium in a wheelchair, according to the report from USA Today.

The result of Getahun's painful injury: He will not participate in Sunday's men's steeplechase final, but instead ask himself what if?

The 20-year-old's Olympic hopes and dreams for 2012 have been dashed far too early, but he can certainly take some pride in knowing that he went all out for his country.

The crowd reportedly cheered Getahun's attempt to recover from the disastrous fall, and isn't that what the Olympic Games are all about?

Nothing epitomizes competition and pride like the Olympics, and Getahun's incident on the steeplechase track Friday proved to be just another reason why we love to watch every four years. 

As for Getahun's legacy, he'll be remembered by the London crowd and viewers back home for his fight and will to finish. 

That is, if he doesn't return in 2016 to redeem his fall. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more reaction on the 2012 London Olympics this summer.