Olympic athletics: Algerian runner disqualified for not doing enough

London, Aug 7 (IANS): Algerian athlete Taoufik Makhloufi has been excluded from participation in all further events at the London Olympics after he failed to try his best in a men’s 800m heat.

The 24-year-old Makhloufi is scheduled to compete in both the men’s 800 and 1500 metres events. He qualified for the men’s 1500m final after he clocked three minutes 42.24 seconds to finish first in his semifinal group Sunday night.

However, during the first round of the 800m event Monday, Makhloufi, who competed in heat five, immediately fell to the back of the pack and dropped out after less than 150m.

The referee considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort in the 800m heat and reported it to the IAAF

A statement from the International Association and Athletics Federations (IAAF) said that the referee “considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort and decided to exclude him from participation in all further events in the competition under rule 142.4″.

According to Rule 142.4 of IAAF, an athlete shall be excluded from participation in all further events in the competition, including relays, in cases of “Failure to Participate”.

“Failure to participate includes failure to compete honestly with bona fide effort. The relevant Referee will decide on this and the corresponding reference must be made in the official results,” reads the rule.