of japanese athletic disqualified due to technical gaffe

Osaka 2007 50km Mens Race Walk Technical Gaffe: This video was taken during the 50km Mens Race Walk where Japanese race walker Yuki Yamazaki was directed by race officials into the Nagai Stadium one lap too soon. -


Yuki crossed the finish line thinking he had come in fifth but in fact he was still one lap down. At the finish line, he collapse and was stretched off. For this technical glitch, Yuki Yamazaki was flagged as DNF ("did not finish") in this race.

After the race, Koji Sakurai, the Competition Director, said it was an error in instruction to the athlete. It was a regrettable error and he was sorry for the athlete and takes full responsibility.

Click here for the race results
Click here for the statement at the Osaka 2007 official website.
Click here for the news report "Walking woes in Osaka as Japanese walker disqualified after technical gaffe"

[via Mician]