JAKARTA: Japan’s Hiroto Inoue was accused of pushing his rival in a controversial sprint finish to the Asian Games marathon on Saturday, as the runner-up from Bahrain lodged a complaint with race officials.
Inoue and Bahrain’s Elhassan Elabbassi entered the stadium in Jakarta neck and neck, before the Japanese athlete opened up a small lead. In the final 100 metres, Elabbassi attempted to overtake Inoue on the inside but fell back after apparent contact. “The number one (leader) pushed me,” said Elabbassi. “I would have won.” Elabbassi’s coach Gregory Kilonzo said the team manager had filed a complaint over the incident. (AFP)
