Alaila Everett has recently told her side of the story after a video went viral from a track event that resulted in an opponent being hit in the head with a baton.
Brookville High School sprinter Kaelen Tucker from Virginia suffered a concussion and a potential skull fracture after she was hit in the back of the head with a baton during a competition last week (March 4).
She was the second leg runner for the 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University in Virgina, and a viral video showed the disturbing moment.
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It appeared that she was struck intentionally by a fellow competitor, Alaila Everett from I.C. Norcom High School, after Tucker passed her on the track’s bend.
You can hear an audible gasp from the audience following the incident as the injured Tucker falls to the ground.
The video quickly went viral on social media, with many criticizing Everett and calling for her to be banned from the sport.
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However, speaking to WAVYTV10, the young sprinter has told her side of the story and has insisted it was not intentional.
Through tears, she said: “Everybody has feelings, so you're physically hurt but you are not thinking about my mental, right. They are going off of one angle.”
Telling her version of events she said: “After a couple times of hitting her with my baton, I got stuck behind her back like this and it rolled up her back.
“I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit. I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose."
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Everett’s mother and father believe her version of events, and have insisted she wouldn’t intentionally try and hit an opponent.
The parents have also said they have now been served with court papers from the family of Tucker, as they want a protective order.
The Tucker family have also said they are hoping for at least an apology, as they said that this was lacking at the event.
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Tucker's family told local news: "They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her.
"Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her."
Everett has said she wants to give an apology, but that Tucker has not been 'receptive' and has blocked her on social media.
Tamarro, Tucker's mother, has reportedly called the sport's governing body, who say they have launched an investigation into the alleged assault.
Gerrard Kaonga