2024-08-05 20:02:50
For him, major sports events are also stops. On Sunday evening, an activist was arrested while trying to stop one of the most anticipated moments of the Paris Olympics, the men’s 100m final. He was wearing a t-shirt with two titles: “Free Ukraine” and “Free Palestine”.
According to our information, this spectator with a ticket and sitting in the 2nd row managed to enter the Stade de France track during the light show announcing the race. But he was quickly stopped by a steward, an event that was unknown by the photographer James Rhodes who shared the images on the X network (formerly Twitter).
“Immediately, private security responded well. People are prepared, they are strong, they are professional and the police are doing an amazing job,” Olympic Organizing Committee (Cojo) Director Tony Estanguet told AFP.
Unlimited standing for the 100m start
The start of the 100 was postponed because of this incident, leaving the sprinters under the orders of the starter for several minutes while the activist was removed. A delay that seemed interminable to the spectators, commentators but especially the players. Tony Estanguet emphasized that “We were talking about four minutes but what they told me was like one and a half minutes. On the scale of the event, the last event of the evening, it was not that important. I think the international federation (Sport) (…) is the one who decides whether or not to start the tests when all the conditions are met. They wait until everyone is ready to start this 100 m. » A 25-year-old man was taken into custody at the Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) police station. The size of this should be extended this Monday evening while it is checked.
Bobigny’s prosecutor’s office pointed out that “it was reported for actions of the same style in other sports events in the world.” Actually, this is not the first time we have talked about this peace activist. Last November, in India, he caused a sensational attack by entering the grounds of the Ahmedabad cricket stadium where the World Cup final between India and Australia was being held in front of 132,000 spectators.
Then he has a t-shirt that calls for an end to the bombings on Palestine and he has covered his face with a mask in the colors of the Palestinian flag. He also hugged Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, who plays as a batsman. The law enforcement officers arrested him and took him to the police station. The game restarted before seeing the final victory for Australia. In a video, he is questioned after his arrest and he introduces himself as “John from Australia”.
Once the activist was handed over to the French police in the Saint-Denis area, the sprinters were not too bothered by this incident. The eight athletes ran one of the fastest finishes in the history of the 100m with the victory of the American Noah Lyles at the end of the straight line in 9″78.
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