France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad was stripped of what appeared to be a third straight European Championships title in the 3000m steeplechase after he was disqualified for taking off his shirt and putting it in his mouth in the last 100 meters.
Here’s video of Mekhissi-Benabbad’s antics.
It’s not his first run-in with trouble. After he won the European Championship in 2012, the Frenchman shoved the meet mascot, which was reportedly being worn by a 14-year-old girl.
In 2011, he and another French runner were suspended after they came to punches following a Diamond League race.
Frenchman breaks 50km race walk world record, stops to pick up Portuguese flag
But back to Thursday night in Zurich. Here’s a photo timeline of the Frenchman’s finish, via Getty Images:
France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (Front) runs after removing his jersey in the last meters, on his way to win the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final, ahead of France’s Yoann Kowal (L) during the European Athletics Championships at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (R) runs after removing his jersey in the last meters, on his way to win the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final, ahead of France’s Yoann Kowal (L) during the European Athletics Championships at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (R) runs after removing his jersey in the last meters, on his way to win the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final, ahead of France’s Yoann Kowal (L) during the European Athletics Championships at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 14: Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France takes his vest off as he approaches the finish line to claim gold ahead of Yoann Kowal of France in the Men’s 3000 metres Steeplechase final during day three of the 22nd European Athletics Championships at Stadium Letzigrund on August 14, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Getty Images
France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (Bottom) lies down after winning the Men’s 3000m steeplechase final during the European Athletics Championships at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 14: Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France celebrates winning gold in the Men’s 3000 metres Steeplechase final during day three of the 22nd European Athletics Championships at Stadium Letzigrund on August 14, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Getty Images
