OSAKA, Japan — U.S. hurdler Bershawn Jackson left in a huff and teammate Derrick Williams exited on a stretcher.
It was a sight from Sunday that James Carter won't soon forget even though he, Williams and teammate Kerron Clement advanced to the finals of the 400 hurdles during the track and field world championships.
Jackson, the reigning world champion, will have to watch Tuesday's final from the sideline after clipping the last hurdle and failing to qualify.
Wearing a full-length body suit for the race despite the muggy weather, Jackson stormed away in frustration after its conclusion.
"It's track. Anything can happen — and it just did," Carter said. "This is surprising. It's a shocker."
Carter happened to be talking about America's chances of placing three runners on the podium when everything turned chaotic.
"I think they're good," he said. "As long as ... "
He stopped midsentence as he watched Jackson on a television stumble over the final hurdle in his heat and fail to earn a spot in the final.
"Ohhhh," Carter said as he watched.
Seconds later, just behind Carter in an interview area, Williams, who'd run in the same race as Carter, passed out from the heat. Medical personnel called for a stretcher and he was helped out of the area.
Carter later said he thought Williams would be fine.
"The humidity is (hurting) a lot of people," Carter said. "But making it to the finals is going to help him get back on his feet. I'm happy for him."
But Carter didn't know what to say to Jackson. Not now at least. Carter figured it was best to leave him alone.
"That's what I'd want," he said. "What can you say?"
Clement, a two-time U.S. champion, earned a place in the finals by winning his heat. He said he had some work to do — particularly at the end of the race — if he wanted to challenge for the crown.
"Once I iron out those last few things, I'll be fine," he said.
Before he collapsed, Williams had stopped to talk about his performance. He was one of the front-runners most of the way until he faded down the stretch.
"I was doing fine until my legs locked up in the end," Williams said. "I gave it all I got."
Carter recently won the U.S. championship and is hoping to emerge from Jackson's and Clement's shadows.
"Hopefully, this is my year," said Carter, who took second at worlds in 2005. "But it's going to take a great race, maybe even a personal best."