Algerian runner Taoufik Makhloufi was expelled on Monday from the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The expulsion didn’t last long, as Makhloufi was reinstated and will remain eligible for the men’s 1,500m final on Tuesday.
Expelled Algerian Runner Taoufik Makhloufi Reinstated
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Makhloufi originally drew the suspicion of officials on Monday, when he stopped running during his opening heat in the men’s 800m and walked to the infield, where he cheered on the rest of the runners. The I.A.A.F. believed that he purposefully tanked his match and expelled him from the remainder of the Games for “violating the Olympic ideal.”
Algerian officials insisted Makhloufi withdrew due to a knee injury, Jere Longman of the New York Times reports. Makhloufi was examined by a doctor and was reinstated.
In addition to the eight suspended badminton players last week, the London Games have seen an unusually large number of athletes accused of purposefully tanking in their events.
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