Canadian gymnast Felix Dolci suffers freak accident on high bar — draws roaring ovation for finishing Olympic routine: 'I've never seen this happen before'
Felix Dolci was putting on quite the performance during the Olympic men's all-around gymnastics final when a freak equipment malfunction left him bloodied
Things did not go well for Canadian gymnast Felix Dolci on Wednesday, but they also could've gone much, much worse. During the Olympic high-bar portion of the men's all-around gymnastics final in Paris, the Saint-Eustache, Que. product suffered a brutal fall that left him bloodied after one of his hand-guards snapped — sending him flying through the air and hard to the mat.
The freak equipment malfunction interrupted a pretty good routine, too.
Here is video of Dolci's fall. Not the type you expect to see. https://t.co/QcHFV41McH
— Jock Cartier (@JockCartier) July 31, 2024
Dolci, after taking nearly 20 minutes to regroup, was allowed to give it another go, according to Olympic rules, because the fall was due to an equipment issue and not deemed his fault. The 22-year-old then returned to the bars for his second attempt, but he once again fell to the mat with his hands appearing to take some serious damage on the first spill.
Commentator Matt Baker, who was covering the event for the BBC, was left stunned in the booth after witnessing such a rare event unfold in front of his eyes while emphasizing just how bad that incident could've been for Dolci.
"Oh dear me. His hand-guard has split. Well goodness me. I tell you what, he did incredibly well there, he could've caused himself a very, very nasty injury," said Baker. "Hopefully he's alright. He's going to need some time because that will have been an unbelievable shock to him. There's an obvious technical error there isn't there.
"Oh my goodness me, Felix. Unbelievable. This happens in the training gym but I have never seen that in a competition," Baker added.
It wasn't over there though, as Dolci, after chalking up and putting his hand through some minor repair work, completed his set and stuck his landing.
Heartbreaking moment for Félix Dolci in the all-around men’s final at #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/A5vhjlQID1
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) July 31, 2024
The Paris crowd, who gave Dolci a roaring ovation when he returned to the apparatus for his second and third attempts, was vocally behind the gutsy Canadian the entire way.
A bruised and bloodied Dolci gave the love right back in a heartwarming moment, thanking the crowd for its support before gesturing a heart toward the bleachers — where the damage he suffered to his hand was more than evident.
Brought to tears at the resilience of athletes at the Olympics. Canada’s Félix Dolci fell from the bar after his hand grips ripped on the exit from the apparatus, ripping his hand with it. He got a second chance, fell again, in pain, and the stadium cheered him on to the finish. pic.twitter.com/5jkeyyqIO7
— Rafa Sales Ross (@rafiews) July 31, 2024
Dolci was competing in his first Olympic Games, but is no stranger to success on the international stage. In 2022, he won a pair of silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in the team and the floor exercise events. At the 2023 Pan Am Games, he also secured gold, becoming the first Canadian in 60 years to win in the men's all-around competition.
On top of qualifying for Wednesday's all-around men's final, he was also part of the Canadian side for the team event where they finished eighth.
Dolci's pedigree and prowess made him one of the top contenders to medal in the all-around event in Paris 2024, which likely makes this pill a little tougher to swallow. Canadian supporters and gymnastics enthusiasts from around the world, however, were quick to flock to social media to flaunt their love and unwavering support.
Felix Dolci is the epitome of what the #OlympicGames represents…strength, resilience and determination. That fall earlier was scary, and allowing him to try again was the right decision! ❤️🇨🇦👏 #PARIS2024 #FelixDolci
— SandyT (@sassygirlcanada) July 31, 2024
As a former Olympic level gymnast I'm loving the Olympics being streamed.
Today, the Canadian gymnast, Felix Dolci, broke his high bar hand guard. I've never seen this happen before, but he was given the chance to reperform his routine.
When he restarted he performed a move…— Mark Phillips (@iMarkPhillips) July 31, 2024
Oh man. Devastating for Felix Dolci, that routine looked so good. His grip BROKE like wtf
— ⚔️🔪 Witch-King of Angmar🗡⚔️ (@wtchking) July 31, 2024
Felix Dolci on #TeamCanada was just fling off of high bar. Look like his grip failed him.
Absolutely gutted for his great routine to end that way especially being near the top after 2 rotations.— Kevin Button (@gobluekmb) July 31, 2024
Nothing but respect for Felix Dolci ❤️#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Qm5hshgeu3
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 31, 2024
Gymnastics wasn't a sport I immediately thought you could be screwed over by your equipment, gutted for Dolci.
— Andy 🪿 (@AndyGraham22) July 31, 2024
Full credit man. Félix Dolci attempting to go back out there with his hand torn up as well as the complete shock your body absorbed. To then fall again and keep going. What an icon!!!!!!!! #TeamCanada #Olympics #Paris2024 #ArtisticGymnastics
— H.R.Owens (@heatherowens33) July 31, 2024
Canadian gymnast Felix Dolci fell from the high bar but restarted his routine through a bleeding hand. Incredible support from the #Paris2024 crowd and he thanked duly 🥹
That's what the #Olympics are all about! #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/1zPv0CkmvO— Çetin Cem Yılmaz 🇹🇷🇨🇦 (@cetincem) July 31, 2024
Dolci ending up scoring 11.733 for his high bar on Wednesday, placing him last among the 24 competitors in the final with a combined score of 40.432 after three routines.
But we all know his finish isn't the real story here.