BRITAIN benefited from one Clog Almighty cock-up to win opening-day World Athletics Championships silver.
The mixed 4x400m relay squad of Lewis Davey, Laviai Nielsen, Rio Mitcham and Yemi Mary John finished second behind the United States at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.
The Americans ran a world-record time of 3:08.80 in the only event combining men and female athletes.
The British quartet were on course for bronze down the home straight but Holland’s Femke Bol FELL OVER and dropped the baton only a few yards out from the finish line.
It meant the Dutch team did not finish the race officially and anchor runner Mary John, 20, claimed the runners-up spot in a national record time of 3:11.06.
Paralympic athlete and coach Hughes, 63, dies unexpectedly after Team GB success
This is the first time Britain have celebrated a medal on the first day of a world champs since Mo Farah’s 10,000m gold at London six years ago.
The evening session saw a case of double Dutch disaster because Sifan Hassan fell with less than 40 yards left of the 10,000m.
Hassan was in a sprint finish with Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay for gold but could not keep her feet and came crashing down on the track.
The 30-year-old had competed in the women’s 1500m heats earlier in the day and was trying to win medals across three events.
Tiny runner Yemi Mary John said: “It was crazy. We always knew it was going to be a fight. I fought through to the end.
“There were so many emotions and I really had to cross the line to realise what had just happened.
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“I think every medal was at stake. So you never give up until you’ve run through the line. So I was conscious that anything could happen.”
Laviai Nielsen, 27, said: “We all start as we mean to go on. I think we have a small team, but I think it’s a strong team.
“We were quietly confident that we could get a medal. Hopefully, the people back in the hotel have been watching that and can take inspiration.”
Paralympics GB athlete and coach Anthony Hughes dies unexpectedly aged 63
