What is the audience’s attitude toward Tyrese in lane eight?

Read the paragraph below.

When Tyrese dropped his crutches and limped to the starting block, the audience froze. Then the starter’s signal sounded, and the swimmers dove in. An awkward splash emerged from lane eight, but Tyrese began reaching and kicking in earnest, keeping pace with many of his opponents. All eyes measured his steady progress. Then, the mass on the bleachers leaned toward the finish, lips bitten, fists clenched, and silently willed every swimmer’s hand hit to the wa