CWG: Handed a controversial penalty, New Zealand’s triathlete ‘welcomes’ and high-fives English rival at finish line | Sports News,The Indian Express
The New Zealander had, by then, finished serving his time penalty and crossed the finishing line in the second position to win the silver medal.
The Commonwealth Games are dubbed the friendly Games and the spirit was seen near the finish line of the sprint triathlon race. New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde was in the lead and on course to win the triathlon gold medal, which would have opened his country’s account at the Birmingham Games. But just before he was about to cross the finish line in the 5km run, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist learnt about a 10-second penalty imposed on him for breaking a rule.
If he would’ve completed the race without serving the time penalty, Wilde would have had a ‘did not finish’ (DNF) alongside his name on the result sheet. So, Wilde – who was clear of the rest of the field, halted for 10 seconds, and ‘welcomed’ his title rival and close friend, Alex Yee of England, as he entered the final stretch. The two athletes gave each other a high-five, Wilde patted Yee, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Games, on the shoulder and saw him get past the finish line ahead of him in the first position.
The New Zealander had, by then, finished serving his time penalty and crossed the finishing line in the second position to win the silver medal. The punishment meted out to Wilde was controversial and hotly debated. At the end of the 20km bike race, Wilde was in the lead. However, the race officials alleged that he did not put his cycling helmet away properly, as per rules, during the transition phase from bike to run. Consequently, he was sent to the sin bin for 10 seconds.
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The ????? medal of the Games goes to @TeamEngland in the men's triathlon! ?
Rating: 5