06-08-2012, 14:54
Algerian 1500m medal contender Taoufik Makhloufi has been thrown out of the Olympics for not trying in his 800 heat.
Makhloufi, who won his 1500m semi-final in style, had been forced to run in the two lap race after his team failed to withdraw him from it by Sunday's deadline.
The 24-year-old lined up at the start of heat five but was already well behind the field at the start of the back straight before stopping running completely another 100m into the race and wandering back across the infield past the pole vault area.
"The referee considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort and decided to exclude him from participation in all further events in the competition," read an IAAF statement.
Makhloufi, who won his 1500m semi-final in style, had been forced to run in the two lap race after his team failed to withdraw him from it by Sunday's deadline.
The 24-year-old lined up at the start of heat five but was already well behind the field at the start of the back straight before stopping running completely another 100m into the race and wandering back across the infield past the pole vault area.
"The referee considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort and decided to exclude him from participation in all further events in the competition," read an IAAF statement.
