Tripped Ethiopian Athlete Reinstated in 1500m Semi

The World Athletics Championships turned into farce when one competitor punched a rival out of a race but still escaped punishment.

Norwegian Filip Ingerbritsen aimed a sharp straight left into the back of rival Teddese Lemi as they jostled for position on the final lap of their 1500m heat.

Ethiopian star Lemi then tumbled to the ground as his competitor - one of a famous trio of runners in the athletics world - chopped back inside him.

It left the 20-year-old Lemi sprawling on the track with his hopes of glory over through no fault of his own - while Ingerbritsen went on to qualify for today’s semi final.

However, Lemi has been awarded a place in the semi-final despite not qualifying, after he got up to complete the race and finished in 11th place. The first six in the heat automatically qualified for the next round but championship officials have also allowed Lemi to go through.

Despite race stewards looking into the clash they decided the 26-year-old, whose brother Jakob is one of the golden boys of the sport, should not be punished.

TherulingleftBBCcommentator Steve Cram stunned in the studio, after he reviewed replays of the clash.

Cram said: “That’s a punch. That is a punch.

“If the track referee hasn’t seen that, we’veseenthat, I’mamazed.

“This is nothing against Flip, that could be anybody, I am amazed he hasn’t been disqualified thus far.”

BBC presenter Gabby Logan went on: “We see Ingerbritsen working his way to what he considered obviously to be a better position for him on the track, in doing so absolutely felling Lemi.