CNN —As she took to the start line of the 100-meter hurdles, Jolien Boumkwo was at first met with confusion, then amusement, then raucous support. The Belgian shot putter emerged as an unlikely hero from the European Athletics Team Championships in Poland on Saturday after injuries to her teammates compelled her to step into the hurdles event at the last minute. Boumkwo, who had placed seventh in the shot put the day before, eventually finished in 32.18 seconds – 19 seconds behind the next slowest athlete. The crowd screamed their support as she ran towards the finish line, her teammates applauded her can-do spirit, and online she was inundated with positive messages. Boumkwo races to finish line in the 100-meter hurdles.

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Persons: Jolien Boumkwo, Boumkwo jogged, CNN Sport’s Don Riddell, Boumkwo soaks, Thomas Windestam, ” Boumkwo, ”, Boumkwo, Erik Van Leeuwen, “, … It’s, “ I’m, … Organizations: CNN, European Athletics Team, MAG, Getty, BELGA MAG Locations: Belgian, Poland, Belgium, AFP