It was too tempting not to.
The knee slide is one of the most aesthetically pleasing actions to watch in a sporting context – when it is done well. Most often seen as a football celebration after a goal, the knee slide has become the go-to celebration for many players, despite its risks.
Didier Drogba mastered the art of the knee slide, as did Eden Hazard before he decided to stop doing them altogether to protect his legs from the dangers of friction between cold knees and dry turf.
Someone who has not yet mastered the knee slide is Jimmy Gressier, a cross country runner. The Frenchman won the European U23 cross country title in the Netherlands comfortably on Sunday morning.
With his nearest rival a fair distance behind, Gressier saw the ribbon waiting to be broken, he saw the muddy grass that lay in front of him, and simply could not resist. Carrying two French flags, he proceeded to drop to his knees in an attempt to cross the finishing line with a slick knee slide.
It didn’t work.
Gressier did not slide as intended, but stopped in his tracks and fell face first into the ribbon.
He still won, but it was not the stylish end he had hoped for.
Watch the moment in all its glory below.
The celebration didn't go according to plan but his performance was brilliant!
Jimmy Gressier produces a front-running display to defend his title in the U23 race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. #Tilburg2018 pic.twitter.com/GHuBSOya6w
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 9, 2018
