Track invader who disrupted men's Olympic 100m final handed hefty fine
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 04.12.24. | 09:14
The man, wearing a t-shirt with the slogans “Free Palestine”, “Free Ukraine”, and “Jesus” jumped from the stands onto the track in an apparent protest
A 24-year-old Australian man who disrupted the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s 100m final at the Stade de France on Sunday 4 August has been fined €8,000 (approximately Ksh1.09m) by a French court.
The incident unfolded moments before the start of one of the most anticipated races of the Paris 2024 Olympics, as athletes were already on their blocks.
The man, wearing a t-shirt with the slogans “Free Palestine”, “Free Ukraine”, and “Jesus” jumped from the stands onto the track in an apparent protest.
Security personnel reacted immediately, intercepting him before he could reach the 100m straight, where the world’s fastest sprinters were poised for the start. His actions caused a brief delay, but the race eventually proceeded without further interruption.
The disruption earned the man not only a hefty fine but also a three-year ban from the Stade de France.
Additionally, he has been prohibited from attending any Olympic events in the future, including the 2028 Los Angeles Games and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Following his removal from the track, the man was taken into custody and placed under judicial supervision.
Despite the delay, the men’s 100m final resumed smoothly, with American sprinter Noah Lyles clinching his first Olympic gold medal in a dramatic photo finish.
Lyles edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second in a thrilling race that crowned him as the Olympic champion.
Reflecting on the disruption, Lyles admitted he did not notice anyone on the track but was curious about the delay in starting the race.
Paris 2024 organizers commended the security team for their swift and efficient response, which ensured the disruption caused minimal inconvenience to the event.
The incident also highlighted the importance of stringent security measures at high-profile international sporting events.
Under French law, unauthorized entry into sports venues or disruptions at public events is a criminal offense. Such actions are typically prosecuted under public safety and order regulations, with penalties including fines, event bans, and, in severe cases, imprisonment.
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