‘He hit my head’: China blame British sprinter for costing them medal in 4x100 metres relay
Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian claims he was struck by Adam Gemili after the baton exchange in the third leg of the world championships final in London
China complained they were cost a medal in the men’s 4x100 metres relay at the world championships in London after a British sprinter accidentally hit Su Bingtian’s head during the race.
The mainlanders finished in a disappointing fourth at the Olympic Stadium, with Asian rivals Japan capturing bronze while Britain were first and the United States runners-up.
But Su, the only Chinese sprinter to finish the 100 metres in under 10 seconds, claimed he was hit by a nearby British competitor after the baton exchange in the third leg.
Anybody else spot Gemili accidentally whack the Chinese runner in the head? Fingers crossed they don't lodge a complaint! pic.twitter.com/YH1MTdFzGG— Tom Smith (@TundraBoyy) August 12, 2017
Replays showed Adam Gemili, running the second leg for the winners, struck Su when he gesticulated with his right arm to cheer for Daniel Talbot after passing the baton to his teammate.
“The British runner was cheering for his teammate and hit my head,” said Su. “I was shocked and had to change my position from inside of the lane to outside which had affected my speed as it was difficult to pick it up.”
Fellow Chinese sprinter Zhang Peimeng, who was running the final leg and his last international event, said the incident cost them dearly.