As American Emma Coburn prepared to run the final of the 3000m steeplechase, she had an equipment issue. Her uniform and shoes were fine, but she couldn’t find a hair tie. Running the 3000m steeplechase is a big enough challenge without having long hair be a nuisance. Fortunately Evan Jager, who competes in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, was there to help.
One hair tie helped two US steeplechase runners win Olympic medals in Rio
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Before warming up for my final I couldn't find a hair tie. Luckily, @EvanJager was there and came through with one for me. #truestory
— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) August 17, 2016
Coburn went on to win a bronze medal while wearing that hair tie.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
That’s a fun story, and it got even better on Wednesday. That’s when it was Jager’s turn to run his final and he also found success, winning a silver medal. Jager ran while sporting his hair in a bun.
Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
That bun was created by the same hair tie he previously lent to Coburn.
@emmajcoburn I'm not gonna lie. I used that hair tie for the race today. I needed some of that good juju! I owe it all to you
— Evan Jager (@EvanJager) August 17, 2016
This magical hair tie can now claim to be a bronze and silver medal winner. We can only hope Jager lends it out to one more American teammate and they take home a gold.
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