Zalewski snatches silver in Zurich steeplechase

Krystian Zalewski (right) with Frenchmen Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (centre) and Yoann Kowal (left) before the disqualification was announced. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa

The Frenchman, seeing that he was well clear of his nearest rivals, fellow Frenchman Yoann Kowal and Pole Krystian Zalewski, decided to take his shirt off well before the finishing line and started waving to the crowd, jumping the final hurdle with the vest in his mouth.

After crossing the finishing line, Mekhissi-Benabbad was shown a yellow card by track officials for unsporting behaviour.

However, the Spanish team, whose runners finished fourth and fifth, filed an official protest against the French athlete over the lack improper attire on the track. Judges then ruled on the disqualification.

“When I took off my vest on the last metres, it was because of my joy, of course,” Mekhissi-Benabbad told the championship’s official website before the disqualification was announced. The French team is allowed to appeal the final decision.

Meanwhile, Zalewski did not hide his pleasure at winning a medal in the race. Before the French disqualification was announced, the Polish runner told the championship website that “To win a medal in [a] fight with these very strong opponents[,] that counts a lot.”

“I believed for so many years that I [would] achieve something like that and I still believe that I will show even more. I hope that Rio 2016 will be a nice turning point to show that there are very strong runners in Poland and that we will fight for the highest positions,” Zalewski added. (jb)

Source: PAP/TVP Info

Poles Mateusz Demczyszak (left, in Polish colours) and Krytsian Zalewski (centre) start their 3000m campaigns in Zurich on Thursday night. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa

Krystian Zalewski after the 3000m steeplechase in Zurich, 14.08.2014 Photo:PAP/Adam Warżawa

Krystian Zalewski celebrates after finishing the 3000m steeplechase in Zurich, 14.08.2014 Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa