Commentators issue apology after athlete’s x-rated ‘equipment’ was exposed mid-race

In what is safely being referred to as an “equipment failure” by sports commentators, athlete Chris Robinson found himself exposed to the world when his manhood slipped out of his shorts during the 400m hurdles.

At the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting in the Czech Republic earlier this week, 24-year-old Chris Robinson competed in the hurdles event after winning gold at the World Athletics Relays in China last month. Unlike his winning performance in May, his win at this event was overshadowed by what some on Twitter referred to as “something he should really receive a medal for.”

It became apparent that Chris was going to win the race pretty early on, but amidst barrelling down the 400m track, he was forced to correct himself several times as his “equipment” spilt out of his shorts. Though some parts of the world watched a censored video of the race, other countries got a full view of his business flapping in the wind. Ultimately, he still won, though, clocking in at 48.05 seconds.

World Athletics commentator Tim Hutchings said during the race: “He was having an equipment failure, I think is probably the politest way to put it. That’s a brilliant run from the American, to be constantly adjusting certain parts of his equipment and certainly his anatomy down the home straight and that top bend.

“Goodness me… constant adjustments going on, manhandling going on with his left hand.”

Chris Robinson okaayyyyy pic.twitter.com/t466cWuDSM

— mirinda bailey (@_Quing__) June 24, 2025

Another commentator called Hannah England was forced to “apologise for the images here” because “I don’t think the replays are being censored anywhere.”

Most Read

BBC backs presenter who changed ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women’ on-air

Mum fires off brutal paragraphs after her kids were branded ‘nightmares’ for ruining first dance

One month after Emilie Kiser’s son’s drowning, here’s where the investigation is now

Tim added at the end: “There hasn’t been time to censor them but well done to Chris Robinson for battling a problem that does emerge occasionally,’ Hutchings said. Perhaps in a race every two or three years you see scenes like this from men and women with parts of their equipment failing. It can make it very, very awkward, but that was a stunning effort to stay out in front with all that going on.”

Chris Robinson’s hurdles malfunction is shocking, but it’s not the first time it’s happened

Credit: MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA/Shutterstock

With athletes slipping into exceedingly tight uniforms for various high-intensity sporting events, it’s not particularly surprising that, every so often, one finds themselves on the wrong end of a viral moment.

French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati learned this for himself at the Paris Olympics when his package cost him an Olympic medal. Still, he was offered $250k to do x-rated videos, so you win some, you lose some.

If I had a dollar for every time an athlete was exposed at a sporting event, I’d have two dollars, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.

For more, like The Tab on Facebook.

Featured image credit: World Athletics/Chris Robinson