Defending Olympic weightlifting champion Matthias Steiner of Germany was hit in the neck by the barbell Tuesday in the men's super heavyweight competition.

Steiner lost his balance trying to lift 196 kilograms in his second snatch and fell awkwardly to the platform as the barbell crashed down on him.

Medical personnel rushed up to tend to the German, who got up on his feet and waved to the crowd as he walked into the back room. He didn't come out for his third attempt. The announcer said Steiner withdrew from the competition and would be taken to a hospital for x-rays.

Photograph:Mike Groll/AP