Track athlete Mario Palencia was disqualified from the Spanish Under-20 Championship for a mindless shove on a competitor.
The 1500 metre race was coming to its conclusion with Guillermo Sanchez raising his arms as he claimed victory, but attention quickly went elsewhere.
Daniel Lopez appeared to cut across Palencia
Daniel Lopez appeared to cut across PalenciaCredit: AS
And Palencia responded disgracefully
And Palencia responded disgracefullyCredit: AS
As Palencia pulled out of lane one to overtake second placed Daniel Lopez, his competitor also moved across into the second lane.
In response Palencia gave Lopez an almighty shove over the line in shock scenes.
Lopez still finished ahead, but looked in pain on the surface in Salamanca, Madrid, as he and Palencia exchanged words and raised their arms in each other’s direction.
Palencia was then given a red card and disqualified from the event.
AS claim that it wasn’t just the finish line fracas that caused friction, but the pair clashed throughout the race before tensions culminated at the line.
The incident is the second of such nature in just three days, although the earlier event in Virginia was far more shocking.
Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, was running the second leg of a 4x200m relay final when an opponent struck her on the head with a baton.
Tucker hit the ground and required treatment for a concussion and possible skull fracture.
Speaking to the media, she later said: “I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock.
“I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’ t believe it happened.”
The pair gesticulated at each other after the line
The pair gesticulated at each other after the lineCredit: AS
A similar, but certainly worse, incident occurred in the US a few days earlier
A similar, but certainly worse, incident occurred in the US a few days earlierCredit: ABC
The competitor from IC Norcom was soon disqualified from the event and Tucker’s parents claim she showed no remorse.
“They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologised or came to check on her,” Tamarro Tucker said.
“Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her.”
Leave a Reply