Attack on the Men's Marathon

[Iwant2bafencer]

This is absolutely disgusting. I don't care who did it to who, stuff like this should never happen at an event that shows all of these countries trying to show peace for at least a few weeks. I don't even know what to say. Sure it's not 'that big a deal' but it's the little things that count.

http://www.comcast.net/News/SPORTS//...162db5c48.html

[noodle]

it would've been 'not that big a deal' if nothing would've happened. instead, he lost his lead and possibly his gold, even there's no way to say it would've definitely been gold for him.

i hope the police caught and dealt harshly with this idiot

[electricepeeist]

They say they aren't sure if they're going to prosecute him or see if he's insane...It seems that he's insane, but if he somehow isn't, then I hope he gets whatever the maximum punishment is for dressing up, putting on a cryptic sign, and then chasing down a poor runner.

[CvilleFencer]

I am just surprised the fans did not pull him apart. Can you imagine trying that with a brazilian soccer player on his way to shoot for the goal!

[The0ne]

that sucks man. . . In a long distance race rythem is soooo important, and this guy got his torn apart. . .

[Cesshawk172]

that sucks man. . . In a long distance race rythem is soooo important, and this guy got his torn apart. . .

Yeah, I know what you mean. I dont' run in many marathons, but I run cross country for my school, and any trip or stumble that breaks your rythem can just mess you up so bad for the rest of the race. I feel bad for the guy. I dunno if he would have won gold if that didn't happen, but it must be hard for him not knowing what could have been.

[The0ne]

yeah, I run cross as well. . . You learn to deal with stumbles though, as there as so many on those trails!!! What are your times like? (I always ask!!)

[Iwant2bafencer]

I am just surprised the fans did not pull him apart. Can you imagine trying that with a brazilian soccer player on his way to shoot for the goal!

The fans were the ones who tore the attacker off of Lima. The cop on the bike was too far back to be much help. A big guy who looked like santa clause was the main one who puled him off. I'm sure the guy got a couple of good blows from the crowd.

[Cesshawk172]

yeah, I run cross as well. . . You learn to deal with stumbles though, as there as so many on those trails!!! What are your times like? (I always ask!!)

Actually, I dont' have any times yet, lol. This is my first year, I havnt' run any races yet. But I have always loved to run, I did alot of running on my own around my neighborhood, and did this summer running camp with the team. So I am ready for this season to start, I can't wait. I got injured early in the training, and still kind of am, I have been off for a few weeks, so thats going hurt. I rolled my ankle when I stepped in a pot hole, it sucked. It took like 3 doctors visits for them to find out that it was a sprain. <---Doctors. Hehe, I'll get back to you after my first few races with my times.

[Inquartata]

All involved might consider themselves lucky that it was only an insane Irish ex-priest instead of a suicide bomber. So much for security for the athletes.

OTOH, Lima is a runner. And he couldn't evade a fat insane Irish ex-priest in a loony get-up?

[noodle]

relavent followup link

[esskreemr]

This loon of a defrocked priest is probably going to get little more than a smack on the wrist. The scary thing is, he has done this other times before.

They need to lock him up for his own safety as well as that of others.

It's easy to dismiss this as "well it's just another crazy man trying to get some press", but he's done stuff like this before and still made it to the Olympic games. It's a bit scary to me...

[Artisan]

All involved might consider themselves lucky that it was only an insane Irish ex-priest instead of a suicide bomber. So much for security for the athletes.

OTOH, Lima is a runner. And he couldn't evade a fat insane Irish ex-priest in a loony get-up?

It was unexpected. I'm sure in training he's come across dogs, chicken, small children, potholes and all other manner of road hazard - but in Brazille there just aren't enough CDIP's (Crazed Defrocked Irish Priests) to get acclimated.

So they toss this guy a consolation medal for, "exceptional demonstration of fair play and Olympic values." Was that because he didn't beat the crap outta the guy ?

It's a real shame - I'll have to look in the official records for other winners of the entirely forgetable "Pierre de Coubertin Medal"

[kalivor]

OTOH, Lima is a runner. And he couldn't evade a fat insane Irish ex-priest in a loony get-up?

The guy had just run from Marathon to Athens in the Greek heat that everybody's been complaining about. Perhaps (in addition to not watching the fans for attackers,) he wasn't up for a sudden sprint?

[noodle]

The guy had just run from Marathon to Athens in the Greek heat that everybody's been complaining about. Perhaps (in addition to not watching the fans for attackers,) he wasn't up for a sudden sprint?

indeed, he's been running for miles and miles and he's suddenly afraid for his life (wouldn't you be?). i don't think a stiff-arm, evasion roll, or head feint is the prime idea in his mind.

i would've probably taken a swing at the priest, considering at the best he's trying to deprive me of my gold medal and at worst he's trying to kill me.

[veeco]

It happened twice during these games. IIRC, there was some guy dressed in a ballerina outfit who jumped into the diving swimming pool as well. That sort of stuff happens from time to time in Europe's major sporting events (see the recent Euro 2004), and happened as well in the US, during the SuperBowl. Saying that security isn't tight enough is not really relevant, I think. The security measures happen way before the lines that block the field of play. It's the searches that spectators are subject to, etc. Which ensure security. The fact that this guy wasn't a suicide bomber is probably the only reason that he was able to get that close to the athletes.

[darius]

I'd love to see the footage from the Super Bowl. I heard the streaker evaded police until finally, one of the Carolina linebackers got fed up and leveled him! That's funny!

Lima got an extra medal for exceptional sportsmanship. Betchya that doesn't feel nearly as good as gold.

darius

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I say you put a couple of snipers on the end of each field. Nobody streaks with airborne metal flying in the general direction of their head.

[Maeve_Mari]

I'd love to see the footage from the Super Bowl. I heard the streaker evaded police until finally, one of the Carolina linebackers got fed up and leveled him! That's funny!

Lima got an extra medal for exceptional sportsmanship. Betchya that doesn't feel nearly as good as gold.

darius

Here you go. I found it! Fuzzy, but you have to pay for the clear view!
http://www.goldenpalace.com/welcome....wl%2Fvideo.php

[CvilleFencer]

I say you put a couple of snipers on the end of each field. Nobody streaks with airborne metal flying in the general direction of their head.

High powered rifles fired into into a packed crowd. DFP you may have a future as an Army infantry officer...