I totally detest when this happens

[helen99]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44124-2004Aug29.html

Some idiot ran out onto the track and assaulted Vanderlei de Lima, a Brazilian who was the lead in the Marathon. Damn, damn damn. At least in the case of Tanya Harding there was a reason (not a good one, but nonetheless a reason). This was just a random nut case *who had done this sort of thing before*!!!! Poor de Lima - worked his entire lifetime for this, and it was within his reach, and then some nut job takes it away from him for NO REASON. I was extremely furious when I witnessed that. I cursed voluminously in front of my mother (which I'd never, ever done before). Luckily, she has selective hearing...

I realize not everyone was aware of the crazy jerk's antics in the British Grand Prix in which he ran around an auto racetrack while the race was taking place waving a religious nutjob poster. But I would have thought there would be some sort of mark on his passport such as "This man has a record of doing dangerous, insane things during sports events. Let him in your country at your own risk. Do not allow into stadiums." Or something like that. It's not like he was easy to MISS!! Both times he's acted up he's worn a red kilt and green knee socks, for cat's sake, and he's not even Scottish! Good grief.

That said, I could swear that Stefano Baldini, who sailed in at first place after de Lima was delayed by the jerk, has pointed ears...

Comments

[jolantru.livejournal.com]

I saw the picture! It's bad... :(

[helen99.livejournal.com]

de Lima thought maybe the guy was going to kill him. It shook him mentally - so the last adrenalin burst that he was counting on to win the race was used then. After an adrenalin spike there is a crash, and the crash came before it should. At least he held onto the bronze, and didn't pass out.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

How the hell could they deny the appeal after something like that? Clearly the results of the event were affected by the tampering of that jerk, how the hell can they let something like that stand? It seems like it would open the door to fans fixing events for their favorites by knocking out the competition.

[helen99.livejournal.com]

They should have given him the duplicate gold that Brazil requested. I was actually hoping the two contenders would allow him to maintain the lead (but that would not have been right, so ignore me). de Lima was extremely goodnatured about it, saying he didn't know if he actually would have won or not and that he was happy to get the bronze. Such good sportsmanship and philosophical outlook are beyond my comprehension, as you can probably guess. I would have been out for blood.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Why wouldn't it have been right for them to let him maintain the lead? Sounds like good sportsmanship to me....

[helen99.livejournal.com]

I believe it's ingrained into racers that they are not to "throw a race" for any reason - it's part of their training and code of ethics - all their focus, all their awareness, is on the finish line and nothing else. Also, Meb and Stefano were racing each other more than anyone else at the end, and were trying for all they were worth to beat each other, and so probably could not consider him even if they wanted to. I think giving him the duplicate gold would have been the right thing to do. But had I been either of the contenders (which I will never be in a million lifetimes), I would have given the race to de Lima.

[flogic.livejournal.com]

They really can't give him the gold unfortunately. Event's like the Olympics live by their rules. If they start fudging things then it becomes expected. Besides there is a fair chance he might not want the Gold if he wasn't the first one across the line.

[helen99.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there is that. There are too many complications in the whole thing. Anyway, he was happy to have received a medal, and he said himself to "never mind the appeal". I hope the universe rewards him in good ways...

[foxchilde.livejournal.com]

sory cant find the artical on a free site and didnt see the pics. this is the same nut bag that ran out onto the track at silverstone last year? if so he should just be shot

[helen99.livejournal.com]

Oh, how I wish.