Joy turns to sadness after indoor athletics relay disqualification

Grzegorz Sobiński celebrates at the Indoor European Athletics before being disqualified: phot0 - PAP / Adam Warzaw

The Polish team of Michał Pietrzak, Rafał Omelko, Łukasz Domagała and Grzegorz Sobiński thought they had earned their third place bronze after coming in behind the Russian and Great Britain team during the final in Gothenburg on Sunday evening.

It was then announced that the Poles had been awarded the silver medal when the Great British team were disqualified after runner Richard Buck stepped out of his lane.

But the Great Britain team appealed saying that Polish runner Rafał Omelko had clearly barged into Buck, forcing him to step out of his lane for one stride only.

It was then announced that Great Britain had their gold medal restored and, following a protest by the Czech Republic, who came fourth, the Polish team were the ones to be disqualified.

“It was a blatant push and it was only one step,” British runner Michael Bingham said after the race.

“I am very disappointed,” said Polish trainer Józef Lisowski, adding that pushing is common during relay events.

Earlier during the championships, Poland's Adam Kszczot won the gold medal in the 800 metres, beating Spain's Kevin Lopez and the UK's Mukhtara Mohammeda into second and third.

Anna Rogowska took the silver medal in the women's Pole Vault, pipped to the gold by Britain's Holly Bleasedale, and Katarzyna Broniatowska took a bronze medal in the women's 1500 metres. (pg)