On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video showed an athlete being disqualified for pushing a competitor at the finish line, breaking the ‘golden rule.
A dramatic moment unfolded at the Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships in Salamanca.
Athlete Mario Palencia was disqualified after allegedly pushing competitor Daniel Lopez just before crossing the finish line.
Controversial finish at Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships
On Sunday, March 9, Guillermo Sanchez won the 1,500m race with a time of 3:54:55. As Sanchez celebrated his victory, two other runners, Lopez and Palencia, sprinted behind him in a close race for second place.
As they neared the finish line, Lopez shifted his path to the right, possibly to avoid Sanchez or block Palencia.
In response, Palencia appeared to push Lopez, causing him to lose balance and fall to the ground just centimeters from the finish line.
Official Disqualification and Rule Violation
Following the incident, officials reviewed the footage and ruled the push as unsportsmanlike conduct.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Palencia was disqualified under article RT7.1 and received a red card.
Reports suggest that tensions between the two athletes had already flared earlier in the race, particularly during the last lap.
Social media reaction
This moment of an athlete breaking the ‘golden rule’ and getting disqualified after pushing a competitor at the finish line quickly went viral, sparking debate among viewers.
In the comment section, many viewers expressed their shock over this action, while others suggested that the competitor should be banned from future competition.
@dailymail This is the shocking moment a runner shoved his opponent during a race, just centimeters from the finish line. The incident took place at the Spanish Under-20 Indoor Championships in Salamanca on Sunday. Daniel Lopez, 18, who was sitting in second place, appeared to change his path to the right of the track in an attempt to block Mario Palencia, also 18. Reacting to Lopez’s move, Palencia pushed him just centimeters before the competitors were about to cross the finish line, resulting in Lopez losing his balance and sprawling to ground. But Palencia’s move did not go unnoticed, as he was deemed to have committed unsportsmanlike conduct under article RT7.1 of the race’s regulations, per Marca. Palencia received a red card for the incident and was disqualified from the race as a result of his actions. Read the full story on DailyMail.com. Link in bio. 🎥 LaLiga+ #news #track #race #running #spain
One person said: What is wrong with these people when they are hitting someone with a baton , they pushing. Smfh
A second wrote: Sportsmanship seems to have gone out the window. Let’s hope punishment for ones actions has not.
While a third commented: What is wrong with these poor sportsmanship people, they need to be kicked off the team.
Another added: Another one of those Athletes caught on camera doing wrong, dissatisfied him also.
Someone else said: What has gone wrong with people these days, What happened to sportsmanship and common decency and respect..
Previously, a similar incident occurred at the Liberty University Relay Race
Just days before, another controversial sports incident occurred in Lynchburg, Virginia.
During a 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University on March 7, Brookville High School runner Kaelen Tucker suffered a serious injury.
During the second leg of the race, I.C. Norcom High School runner Alaila Everett accidentally struck Tucker in the head with a baton. The impact caused Tucker to leave the track momentarily before collapsing.
Tucker later revealed she had suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
Video footage of the incident quickly went viral, with many accusing Everett of intentional foul play.
Everett defends her actions
In a tearful interview, Everett insisted the strike was accidental. She explained that both runners had been bumping arms during the race.
When she attempted to regain balance, the baton inadvertently hit Tucker’s head.
“They are going off on one angle,” Everett stated, defending her actions.
Following the incident, Tucker’s family pursued a protective order against Everett.
Event judges ruled the baton contact as interference and subsequently disqualified Norcom High School from the race.
Both incidents highlight the importance of sportsmanship in competitive athletics.
As debates continue, officials and fans alike emphasize the need for fair play and respect in all levels of competition.