A vicious gale, which flooded The World Games speed skating track and blew down the giant video screen, appeared to have ended the hope of any more racing taking place. However the resourcefulness of the Polish venue manager and his magnificent team of volunteers saved the day. They worked untiringly over the next couple of hours to remove the excess water, so that the track would be ready for the scheduled evening finals. They also gathered up the multiple damaged parts of the wrecked video and placed them where they would not present a danger to anyone at the Millennium Park. The reward for the hard working venue staff was to see two entertaining distance elimination races go ahead as planned, in front of a large appreciative crowd.
The midday thunderstorm had drenched the track with water, surely it would not be able to host any more racing in the afternoon. The high winds had toppled the huge LED screen with a crash. An inspection of the area behind the broadcast tower showed LED panels missing fragments, the framework supporting the screen stood at a crazy angle, wheels which should have been on the grass were instead pointing towards the overcast sky. It would have seemed sensible to postpone racing for the day, however the venue manager knew that this would affect the ability to transform the venue for the road skating events later in the week. Thus the volunteers set to work with a will and unquenchable enthusiasm.
Come the stroke of five and the track was in racing order. The competitors lined up for the Women’s 15,000m elimination race. Colombian Fabriana Arias having already visited the podium, taking gold in a photo finish. In the Men’s 10,000m France's Elton de Souza lapped the field, and then sprinted to the line for a memorable win. However, there should by rights have been a third medal ceremony today; if anyone deserved gold it was the hard working venue staff for The World Games
