French swimmer Aurelie Muller has been stripped of her Olympic silver
medal after being found guilty of ‘dunking’ opponent Rachele Bruni on
the finish line.
After a chaotic race officials were called upon to controversially
disqualify Muller when footage emerged of a confusing finale to the
women’s 10k open water event.
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A major storm had meant that the start of the race was marred by shambolic scenes and it was a theme that, thanks to Muller, continued to the end.
‘The French swimmer has sunk me,’ Italy’s Bruni told media after the
event. ‘At the finish she obstructed me and I could not touch the board.
I am glad of the decision of the judges.’
After removing Muller, the gold medal eventually went to Sharon Van
Rouwendaal, silver to Italy’s Bruni and bronze to Brazil’s Poliana
Okimoto.
‘This is the worst scenario that can happen,’ Philippe Lucas, Muller’s coach, told France’s
RMC Sport.
‘I have not seen the images. I found that the decision was made very quickly anyway.
‘In sports, there is always injustice unfortunately. It’s like that.
‘But it’s not worth crying for 50 years. The podium is made, it’s dead. It’s over.’
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