Basketball player faints during championship ceremony at White House

WASHINGTON

A Louisiana State University (LSU) women's basketball player fainted Friday at an event hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House to honor the team.

Biden, whose speech was halted by the tragic incident, was moved to the side while the player Sa’Myah Smith was receiving care from the medical personnel.

"It’s a lot of standing. I apologize," Biden said. "It’s okay. It’s happened lots of times."

Minutes into the fainting of the player, Biden was delivering a congratulatory speech in the East Room of the White House to honor the team, which won the NCAA women’s basketball championship this year.

LSU's coach Kim Mulkey later said: "Sa'Myah is fine, for those of you who are concerned."