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

[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.