Athlete apologises for 'most unsportsmanlike action in history'

Track athlete Jason Joseph has been forced to issue a grovelling apology on social media after he failed to check on the wellbeing of fellow hurdler Enrique Llopis.

Llopis took a nasty fall while trying to leap over one of the barriers, landing squarely on his face.

But instead of going over to assist after their race, Joseph just wheeled away in celebration.

Now he has been called out by fans for his actions.

The incident took place during the 60-metre hurdles final at the European Athletics Indoor Championships.

Spanish star Llopis fell at the final hurdle, hitting the deck in a heap with his face dragging against the track.

As the race continued on, he lay motionless on the turf.

In the meantime, not realising the carnage that had unfolded behind him, Joseph peeled away from the pack and finished in first place.

But as he wheeled away in celebration, he didn't both to check on his fellow track star while he was receiving medical attention.

Either that or he didn't notice at all.

Upon seeing footage of the incident, fans online were quick to call out the Swiss hurdler.

But it was sections of the Spanish media, however, who had perhaps the most damning assessment, describing it to be “the most unsportsmanlike action in history”.

Following the backlash, Joseph took to social media to apologise.

He wrote on an Instagram story: “First things first. I’m sorry I didn’t check that you were okay.

“I was lost at the time.

“Totally blocked from what was around me.

“I hope you’re okay, I see you in outdoor competitions.”

As for Llopis, medical staff sprung into action and rushed to his aid.

After being assessed, he was placed in a neck brace and carried off the track on a stretcher.

It's understood he was taken to a local hospital where he is now in a stable condition, according to Spanish officials.