Call it watergate.
French runner Morhad Amdouni has ignited hot debate over whether his actions during the Tokyo Olympics men’s marathon on Sunday were unsporting.
Running in the leading pack at the 28-km mark, the 33-year-old approached the drink station but either clumsily, or deliberately, managed to knock over an entire row of water bottles, before then clinging on to the last one standing on the table.
It meant the competitors behind Amdouni weren’t then able to grab a drink at that spot, in what were sapping, humid 30-degree temperatures which had an obvious effect on those at the finish line, including New Zealander Zane Robertson.
Amdouni’s actions were highlighted by Australian television commentators at the time, who couldn’t agree whether he was legitimate in his attempts to grab a bottle or not.
Former Olympic long jumper Dave Culbert said he would “let the audience be the judge”.
“What did you make of that? It’s hard to grab as you are walking along and running at pace.”
Former track athlete Tamsyn Manou came in to bat for the Frenchman.
“I think it is pretty hard to grab those drinks,” she said. “But it’s not helpful to the athletes behind him.”
Fellow commentator Bruce McAvaney wasn’t so convinced.
“Well, he got one at the end,” he said.
“Yeah, no, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt,” Manou added.
Many on social media were quick to blast Amdouni for his conduct, including English media personality Piers Morgan, who awarded him “the gold medal for biggest d……. of the Tokyo Olympics”, though others were quick to point out there was indeed another table of bottles not far ahead, where other runners could grab a bottle.
Amdouni went on to finish in 17th place, almost six minutes behind winner Eliud Kipchoge, with the Kenyan legend becoming just the third man to claim back-to-back Olympic marathon golds, clocking a time of 2hr 08min 38sec.
