Brazilian marathon runner loses appeal over Olympic gold
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-09 15:27

The Brazilian runner who was attacked by a spectator while leading the marathon at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, lost his appeal for the gold medal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS).

Vanderlei de Lima celebrates after winning the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. De Lima -- who was attacked by a spectator while leading the marathon in Athens -- lost his appeal for the gold medal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS).[AFP]

Vanderlei de Lima eventually managed a bronze medal after being shoved into the crowd by a former Irish priest, Cornelius Horan, during the latter stages of the race.

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) and de Lima had argued in their appeal to CAS last September that the gold would remedy the damage suffered by the runner.

The CAS said in a statement on its ruling that it "had no power in this instance to remedy his legitimate frustration".

The Brazilians had been contesting a decision by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) not to make the award.

In previous cases relating to incidents during sports events, the CAS said it had declined to review decisions about prizes or results unless there was evidence of "bad faith or arbitrariness".

"Consequently, the CAS arbitrators have confirmed the decision rendered by the IAAF on 29 August 2004, which means that the results of the marathon race of the Athens Olympic Games shall stand," the statement said.

The Brazilians had requested two gold medals be awarded as they did not want eventual winner Stefano Baldini of Italy and second placed American Mebrahtom Keflezighi to lose their medals.

At the closing ceremony, the International Olympic Committee awarded de Lima a honorary medal named after the founder of the modern Games, Pierre De Coubertin, in recognition of his "exceptional demonstration of fair play and Olympic values".

Horan, 57, was arrested after being seized by other spectators. He was later given a 12 month jail sentence and a 3,000 euro fine, and barred from all sports events for the attack.

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