The gold, silver and bronze medal winners in the Asian Games men’s 800 metres race were disqualified Wednesday in the latest storm to hit the Asian Games. Video of the race can be seen below. Here’s a breakdown:
Drama
Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Mohammed, centre, Musaab Bala of Qatar, right, and Abraham Kipchirchir Rotich of Bahrain, who finished first, second and third, all had their results cancelled. The drama comes just days after Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet was stripped of her steeplechase win as she was about to step onto the victory podium, only to be reinstated the next day.
Obstruction
The Incheon Asiad’s official website said Mohammed was disqualified for obstruction, while Bala and Rotich were penalised for breaking lane regulations. Just after the bell for the last lap, Mohammed faltered and appeared to grab Rotich’s shirt, almost pulling off his bib number. The ruling means Iraq’s Adnan Taess Akkar provisionally moves up to take the gold, with Teng Haining of China the silver and Jamal Haraine of Qatar the bronze.
Innocent
A Saudi official said the team were appealing against the disqualification, saying Mohammed had stumbled innocently and had not impeded the Bahraini. A Qatar official said their delegation had also protested.
No advantage
Teenager Jebet’s win was taken away because she stumbled and put a foot in the infield, but the ruling was reversed after officials decided she had gained no advantage by the slip.
Incident
In the 800m race at Incheon’s Asiad Main Stadium, Bahrain’s Yusuf Saad Kamal fell on the first lap and was seen limping heavily.
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