MSN NZ
find
going out
Merrick named new Phoenix coach

Olympic runner shoves 14-year-old mascot

12:00 Mon Jul 2 2012
MSN NZ

A French Olympic runner celebrated his win at the European Athletic Championships by marching over to a teenage girl dressed as a mascot and shoving her.

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, 27, approached the girl, who is reportedly 14, after winning the 3000m steeplechase in Helsinki on Friday.

In front of a cheering crowd, Mekhissi-Benabbad slapped a piece of merchandise from the mascot's hand, before shoving her.

It is not the first time the track and field athlete has attacked a mascot, according to Le 10 Sport.

During Mekhissi-Benabbad's first European Athletic Championship experience in Barcelona in 2010 he reportedly asked a mascot to kneel in front of him before he pushed it to the ground. In 2011, he was also involved in a fight with fellow Frenchman, Mehdi Baala, at the finish line of the 1500m race in Monaco.

Mekhissi-Benabbad took out the silver medal at the 2010 Beijing Olympics for the 3000m steeplechase event.

LATEST PHOTOS
NZ Olympic homecoming ceremonyNZ Olympic homecoming ceremonyThousands turned out to welcome New Zealand's returning Olympic heroesin Christchurch today.Fans turned up at at Pioneer... NZ's 2012 Olympic Games medal winnersNZ's 2012 Olympic Games medal winnersThe majority of New Zealand's Olympic team arrives back in the countrytoday. Twenty Kiwi athletes, cyclists and swimmers are... A day at the Games - Day 16A day at the Games - Day 16It was an epic celebration of British music at the closing ceremony asthe Games ended with help from the Spice Girls, The Who,... A day at the Games - Day 15A day at the Games - Day 15The last night of track and field events in London didn't fail to disappoint. The Jamaican 4x100m relay team put on a...
> more photos
KIWIS TO WATCH
Valerie Adams (Getty)Valerie Adams

Age 27

Shot Put

Shot put star Valerie Adams has won three world titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and an Olympic gold medal in Beijing. She currently holds the New Zealand, Oceanian and Commonwealth records for the shot put with a personal best of 21.24 m. Nick Willis (Twitter)Nick Willis

Age 28

1500m

In 2006 Willis became the first New Zealander to win the 1500 metres at the Commonwealth Games. He has been a strong contender since then and won silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Getty-file)Hamish Bond and Eric Murray

Rowing

Working together since 2009, the combination of Bond and Murray has become formidable. They won gold in the men's coxless pair at the World Championships for three straight years, and in 2010 they were nominated for Team Of The Year at the Halberg Awards. Mahe Drysdale (Getty-file)Mahe Drysdale

Age 34

Rowing

Considered by many to be one of the greatest single scullers in rowing history, Mahe Drysdale is looking for the elusive gold medal in London. Despite not winning Olympic gold, he's been world champion multiple times. He also won the 2006 supreme Halberg award and the Sportsman of the Year award in 2006, 07 and 09. Sarah Walker (AAP-file)Sarah Walker

Age 23

BMX

Since winning a silver medal at the World Championships in 2005, Sarah Walker has been a force on the BMX. She has not finished an event since then with anything less than a bronze medal. Her last gold was at the 2009 Championships in Adelaide. Marc Willers (Getty)Marc Willers

Age 26

BMX

Willers won his first national title at age of ten and has been on the rise since then. After being an Olympic semi-finalist in 2008, he moved to the USA to focus on his craft. He's hoping his dedication pays off at the 2012 Games in London. Andrew Hewitt (Getty)Andrea Hewitt

Age 29

Triathlon

Christchurch-born Hewitt is one of the world's best triathletes. She emerged as a serious talent in 2005 when winning the U23 World Championship. Hewitt peaked at No.6 in the 2010 world rankings, but a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships places her as a legitimate Olympic medal threat. Andrew Murdoch (Getty)Andrew Murdoch

Age 29

Sailing

Northland-born Murdoch finished a respectable fifth in the men's laser at Beijing 2008. From there he's been climbing the ranks and posted a 1st place at the New Zealand National Laser Championships earlier this year. Murdoch is looking to continue New Zealand's strong Olympic sailing presence this year in London. Men's team pursuit (Getty)Men's team pursuit

Cycling

The combination of Westley Gough, Cameron Karwowski, Peter Latham and Myron Simpson will most likely represent New Zealand in the men's team pursuit. This group grabbed a bronze medal at the World Cup earlier this month and are looking focused leading into this year's Olympic Games. Women's team pursuit (Getty)Women's team pursuit

Cycling

There are high hopes for the women's pursuit team of Lauren Ellis, Jaime Nielsen and Alison Shanks heading into this year's Olympics. We'll have a good idea where the team is placed after the World Championships in Melbourne in April.
advertisement