Paul Chelimo finished second to Mo Farah in the men's 5,000m final but what was initially an occasion to celebrate, quickly turned to devastation for the American.
Chelimo was adjudged to have committed a foul in the last lap of the race regarding contact with other athletes and was disqualified for the offence.
He celebrated his silver medal with a lap of honour and was later delivered the brutal news in a live interview with NBC.
The reaction you have when you first hear your Olympic silver medal is taken away, as Paul Chelimo is told just that https://t.co/JAPnoU1MFV
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) August 21, 2016
Paul Chelimo seems angry that he has been disqualified in the men's 5000m! #unbelievable #USA pic.twitter.com/PETzyitnCb
— Chris Donaldson (@c_trueleader) August 21, 2016
Reacting to the news, Chelimo said:
"The Cuban guy was pushing me the whole time, the whole race. You could see they were trying to block me when the race started. I want to appeal that because it wasn't my intention to block anyone. I was trying to go on the outside lane and get in position.
Chelimo subsequently did appeal the disqualification and was re-awarded his silver medal finish.
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