Kenya’s 3000-metre steeplechase veteran Ezekiel Kemboi was on Wednesday disqualified from the Olympics Steeplechase finals, just a few hours after clinching a bronze for the country.
According to Radio France Internationale the decision was made after France successfully appealed Kemboi’s bronze win on the grounds of lane infringement.
The impact of the decision was that Kemboi’s bronze medal would be returned and awarded to Mahiedine Mekhissi- a French athlete, who came in fourth during the race.
The disqualification comes a few hours after the steeplechase champion announced his retirement from the track.
Kemboi’s supporters spent the better part of Wednesday evening congratulating him for a remarkable career that has seen him win 22 medals for Kenya.
President Uhuru Kenyatta led the pack after he tweeted, “Always a joy to cheer Kemboi who is part of my Presidential Security team. He has been patriotic to the finish line,”