Molly Huddle Knows What Happens When You Celebrate Too Soon


It’s usually a good rule of thumb to not assume anything. After all, when you assume you-well, you know how the saying goes. Celebrating too soon belongs in that category. We’ve all had those moments where we’ve felt like complete morons the second after we’ve done something; where we’ve wanted to kick ourselves the millisecond after the words have left our mouths. To that list, Molly Huddle can add raising hands in triumph before the prize is won.

Monday marked day 3 of the IAAF World Athletics Championships held at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, China. Molly Huddle was competing in the Women’s 10,000-meter race alongside Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya, Gelete Burka of Ethiopia, and teammate Emily Infeld, among others. According to Universal Sports, after taking a break from the sport in 2014 following the birth of her son, Huddle was viewing this race as her comeback of sorts. The long distance runner put everything she had into it, pushing herself to place high enough for the podium. Nearing the end, the finish line in her sight, she finds it in her to celebrate her bronze victory.

It’s an age-old reaction in the sports world. With every touchdown Brett Favre ever threw his hands flew to the air in celebration. When Bruce Jenner won his gold medals, his celebratory hands were held high. Any basketball player to ever take the game with the final jump shot celebrated with arms flailing and legs jumping.

Typically, there is no issue with the celebrating. When it’s too soon, however, it becomes one. Huddle only waited to be just in front of the finish line; so aware of her goal that she failed to notice her teammate coming up quick alongside her. As she celebrated, her body slowed allowing her teammate, Emily Infeld, to steal the third place spot. Huddle was a mere 2 meters short of the line when she raised her arms, according to the Metro.

Universal Sports had an opportunity to speak with Huddle about celebrating too soon and the race in general.

“In that last half step, I just let up too much. […] Emily was right there the whole time with just more momentum. She got that bronze. It’s going to take a long time to get over.”

Huddle may have made a mistake, but she is definitely not alone in it. Buzzfeed has put out a list of 19 others that she will now join the ranks of. Don’t feel to horrible, Molly Huddle, it happens to the best of us. Look on the bright side: the Olympics are in your future and there is a chance for redemption then. Maybe when you compete there, you’ll hold off the celebrating until the standings are tallied.

[Image credit to Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

Share this article: Molly Huddle Knows What Happens When You Celebrate Too Soon
More from Inquisitr