On to the final – then came tears of joy – Aftonbladet

Zurich / Stockholm. Yesterday: Deprived of the gold medal in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Today: In addition to the finals at 1500 meters after a powerful spurt.

As the tears fell on Mahiedine Mekhissi- Benabbad.

– It was a rough night, I have not slept anything, he says.

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad is a of the athletics world’s most controversial fixed stars and has previously created headlines after assaulting a mascot and got into a fight with countryman Mehdi Baalah.

Yesterday was the Frenchman superior to the 3000 meter steeplechase, but lost the gold after he ripped of the linen before the last hurdle.

– There was no thought to mock my opponent or the audience, said Mekhissi-Benabbad.

“Having to psychological help”

Today was long uncertain whether he would stand in the trials of 1500 meters. But when the starting gun sounded, he was still with.

He was, however, far out to miss the finals – but accounted for an unprecedented spurt and finished third in his heat in 3.39,43. After finish came tears of joy.

– He might need psychological help, not for race nerves but just to manage their impulses. It’s a little bit, even though you can not compare really, as with football player (Luis Suarez) that bit in the World Cup, it’s hard to hold back and control impulses. But it can probably work out and learn to do a little better, say experts A Lennart Julin on TV4.

“Available Rules”

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad then explained her tears in the mixed zone:

– It was a rough night, I have not slept anything. I’m very disappointed, it would have been my third title. In the final, I want to prove that I’m a big champion.

Charlotta Fougberg, who is through to the final of the 3000 meter steeplechase, condemns Mekhissi-Benabbads behavior yesterday.

– I do not understand why, there’s well no football player who takes his shirt off before they kicked the ball into the goal.

Surprised cleaning?

– No, are rules that you have to have your number.

The finale of the 1500 meters men is at 15:05 on Sunday. Ceremony at 3000 meter steeplechase is at 18.30 tonight.