In the second bizarre story from today’s Olympic Men’s Race Walking competition, Canada’s Evan Dunfee lost the bronze medal that he thought he won on protest after a successful counter protest from Japan.
Hirooki Arai walked over the finish line 14 seconds ahead of Dunfee, who finished in fourth. Athletics Canada lobbied for Arai’s ejection claiming that he bumped Dunfee illegally on the final lap, and the appeal was upheld… for three hours. Japan’s counter-protest was also successful, meaning the original result was restored.
Dunfee huslted past Akai in the final lap, about two kilometers from the finish line. Akai’s burst including bumping Dunfee, which knocked him off stride. Dunfee led the race as late as the 45 kilometer mark. The race is 50 km. Dunfee needed a wheelchair after the race, but managed to talk to reporters once the race concluded.
Slovakia’s Matej Toth won gold, and Jared Tallent of Australia took silver.
