Kemboi disqualified, steeplechase bronze goes to France

Kemboi disqualified, steeplechase bronze goes to France

Deposed Olympics champion, Ezekiel Kemboi will return home from the Rio 2016 Games empty-handed after he was disqualified by organisers and his bronze medal passed on to France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad.

Kemboi had clocked 8:08.47 for the third medal as he lost his title to compatriot, Conseslus Kipruto, who ran an Olympics record of 8:03.29 and announced his retirement soon after but the man who is not far from controversy inadvertently served up an anti-climatic end to his decorated career.

The Athens 2004 and London 2012 Olympics champion was sanctioned under the world governing body, IAAF rule 163b after France launched an appeal alleging he stepped outside the track.

“A protest was presented by the French team after the 3000m Steeplechase Men Final against Kenyan athlete Ezekiel Kemboi, bib N. 2678, claiming he had stepped off the track.

“The Jury of Appeal met and examined the video of the race, confirming that KEMBOI, after clearing a water jump, had stepped outside the track on the curved part before the home straight. Kemboi is disqualified under Rule 163.3d (Lane infringement),” world governing body, IAAF, said in a statement.

Kemboi was sanctioned for lane infringement that is covered under rule 163 which deals with the race.

Part of it, under lane infringement states; “3. (a) In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes. (b) in all races (or any part of races) not run in lanes, an athlete running on a bend, on the outer half of the track as per Rule 162.10, or on any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump, shall not step or run on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border (the inside of the track, the outer half of the track, or any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump).

 “Except as stated in Rule 163.4, if the Referee is satisfied, on the report of a Judge or umpire or otherwise, that an athlete has infringed this Rule, he shall be disqualified.”

Mekhissi who won the third medal at London 2012 was consequently upgraded from his fourth finish to the last podium place in 8:11.52 with Tunisia’s Amor Ben Yahia also having his results chalked off for the same reason.

Just moments after initially claiming the bronze adds Matthews Mutahi, Kemboi announced his retirement- hanging the most decorated spikes in the history of the men water and barriers race, the disqualification not withstanding.

“I feel good. It’s been a long career for me and this being my fourth Olympics I have done my level best,” he told Citizen Digital at the mixed zone after finishing his race.

“Sometimes you just need to make a decision so I’d like to say that I now officially retire from my athletics career,” the charismatic athlete popularly known as ‘Baba Yao’ (the father) who was visibly incensed after failing to beat his 22 year-old rival declared.

In his retirement announcement, Kemboi toasted a rewarding career spanning over 15 years where the former school disc jockey turned runner put together an unrivaled medal collection in a race that has come to be identified as ‘Kenya’s Race.’

“I would like to thank my fans across the world, especially those in Kenya and my family for supporting me all through. It is my conclusion that today (Wednesday) marks my last track event and the last athletics in my career,” he concluded.

Besides the two Olympics and four world titles, Kemboi is also the winner of three Worlds silver medals having been led across the line twice by Kenyan-born Qatari world record holder, Saif Saeed Shaheen (formerly Stephen Cherono) at the 2003 and 2005 editions before Brimin Kipruto trumped him in Osaka 2007.

This is not the first time the flamboyant athlete whose popularity transcended the sport to have fallen foul to officials after his results at the 2006 African Championships in Bambous, Mauritius were cancelled for clearing outside the hurdle.

Kemboi is expected back home with the second batch of the returning Team Kenya on Thursday and although he did not break further barriers in his chosen race, no one can doubt he is arguably the greatest steeplechaser of all time.

 

Tags:

Conseslus Kipruto Ezekiel Kemboi Rio 2016 Disqualified Men 3000m steeplechase

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