Ethiopian Distance Runner Pulls Fellow Countryman By His Shorts After Believing He Was Tripped

The end of today’s men’s 5,000-meter race at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Lausanne, Switzerland devolved into infighting between two Ethiopians when one runner felt he was tripped and yanked his fellow citizen’s shorts in retaliation.

Selemon Barega had led for most of the race, but on the last lap, Yomif Kejelcha took the lead, with Barega right behind him. Around the final 100 meters, Kejelcha believed that he was tripped by Barega, so he pulled on his compatriot’s uniform, sending both of them to the ground.

Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew took advantage of the scrap and finished in first with a time of 13:01.09. Barega miraculously rebounded to take second in 13:02.67. Kejelcha was disqualified, his attempt at revenge only resulting in him looking like a big dumbass.

H/t to Nick Zaccardi