Airport security breaks U.S. track champion’s half-glass gold medal

Unpacking from the Olympic Trials. Looks like TSA broke my medal. Big piece of glass broken off and missing ? pic.twitter.com/Mo2unXHqZL

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) July 10, 2016

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States is unpopular among some runners after they broke a national champion’s medal on Sunday. Emma Coburn, the winner of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at the U.S. championships, tweeted out a photo of a damaged gold medal after her bags were inspected at the airport.

A notice from the TSA can be seen in the photo beside the broken medal. The bottom half of the medal is made of glass.

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“Unpacking from the Olympic trials,” said Coburn. “Looks like [the] TSA broke my medal. Big piece of glass broken off and missing.”

USATF saves the day

Fortunately, the USATF, the national governing body for U.S. athletics, responded in the best possible way. The organization sent out a tweet saying that it will be sending Coburn a new medal, much to her delight.

No worries, Emma! You’ll be taken care of. Your #USATF & @GoTrackTownUSA fam will send you a new one! #TrackTown16 https://t.co/CIUUzZiwof

— USATF (@usatf) July 10, 2016

@usatf @GoTrackTownUSA thank you!! ???

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) July 10, 2016

Coburn was travelling back to Boulder, Colo. after competing at the national championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. She is set to run in Rio in the steeplechase, a distance event on the track that involves hurdling four barriers every 400 metres and clearing a water pit on each lap. There are 28 barriers and seven water jumps per 3,000m race. The barriers for women are 76.2 cm.

What a week! Now that the Olympic Trials are over and the team selected, it’s time to get back to work. I just wanted to say thanks to every fan of track and field who help make moments like this special, to all those who have chosen to cheer for me, to other runners and competitors who have been inspiring and encouraging. Thank you to my @newbalance family (John and Q especially- thanks for letting me complain to you when I need to, encouraging me when I need it, and never doubting me). Thanks to my Boulder family who supports me daily- my coaches, PTs/docs, friends, and training partners (Kara Jenny Sara Jess Shalaya, your kindness, belief, and passion make the work possible). My Coburn fam- it goes without saying that I wouldn’t be here without you, my rocks. And Joe Boss- my everything ❤️❤️❤️ Time for Rio!! ?????? (Go to my site to see more pictures from the Trials!)

A photo posted by Emma Coburn (@emmacoburn) on Jul 11, 2016 at 11:02am PDT

The 25-year-old is the U.S. record holder in the event. Rio will be her second Olympics after finishing ninth in the steeplechase at the 2012 Games in London.

RELATED: Complete list of runners on Canada’s Olympic track team.

Coburn has been in the spotlight for not only winning the steeplechase at the U.S. championships but also for an appearance in ESPN’s Body Issue. Each year, ESPN releases a gallery of nude and semi-nude athletes.