BY CHRISTINE VALDEZ

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Team U.S.A. qualified for the 4x400-meter relay final, even though one of its members ran with a broken leg.

Manteo Mitchell was running as the leadoff leg for the U.S. in their heat for the 4x400-meter relay at the Olympics. According to CNN, with 200 meters remaining in his run, he felt his fibula snap.

“I wanted to just lie down,” said Mitchell to CNN. “It felt like somebody literally just snapped my leg in half.”

In order for the U.S. to qualify for the final, Mitchell had to finish his leg and pass the baton to his teammate Joshua Mance. The U.S. finished second in their heat to the Bahamas, but still qualified for the medal race.

Few days prior to the heat, Mitchell fell on a set of stairs in the Olympic village, according to Yahoo Sports. Mitchell said that he missed a stair and landed awkwardly.

“Three days ago I was going up the stairs and I kind of missed one and landed awkwardly,” said Mitchell to Yahoo Sports. “I got treatment and I was fine. I did workouts, and when I warmed up today, I felt really well. I felt I could go 44 [seconds]-low.”

In the 4x400-meter final, Mitchell was on the sidelines watching his teammates win the silver medal, again behind the Bahamas. The U.S team heading into the final consisted of Angelo Taylor, Bryshon Nellum, Joshua Mance, and Tony McQuay, with Taylor replacing Mitchell. According to Yahoo Sports, the U.S took the silver medal in 2:57.05.