Thoughts go out to Spanish cyclist Eloy Teruel and Algerian runner Taoufik Makhloufi, who made lowlight reels over the weekend for premature celebrations.
Teruel led the Tour of California to the seventh-stage finish line Saturday and raised his arms and clapped his hands in triumph. Unfortunately for Teruel, there was one more lap left in the stage. Slovakian Peter Sagan went on to win.
On Sunday, Makhloufi passed a runner to his left on the final straightaway of an 800m race at the Diamond League meet in Shanghai. He took the lead and thought he was in the clear. Makhloufi then spread his arms like wings and stuck his tongue out ... and was passed by Kenyan Robert Biwott.
Makhloufi even received the customary winner’s flowers from a meet volunteer, only to later have them taken away. He also lost a $10,000 winner’s prize.