Aussie weightlifter arrested for alleged assault
1 Aug 2014 6:20 AM IST
Australia’s Commonwealth Games team was reeling on Thursday after an alleged assault by one of its medalists, just as the country’s 20-year domination of the competition could be coming to an end. Australia has topped the medals standings at every Commonwealth Games since 1990 but slipped to second place behind England on Wednesday, trailing 38-35 in the gold medal count.
With the games ending on Sunday, Australia looked unlikely to regain the lead because swimming, where the team won 19 of the total 44 golds, has been completed. Australian weightlifter Francois Etoundi, who won the bronze medal in the 77-kg division on Sunday, was stripped of his games accreditation after being arrested over an alleged assault during an altercation in the athletes’ village. CWG Federation chief executive Mike Hooper described it as a ‘very serious incident’ that was witnessed by many people in the village early Wednesday. The Cameroon-born Etoundi was due in court in Glasgow later Thursday. ‘I made it clear I didn’t want him back in the village when violent behavior is asserted. The games have to be safe and secure,’ Hooper said.
With the games ending on Sunday, Australia looked unlikely to regain the lead because swimming, where the team won 19 of the total 44 golds, has been completed. Australian weightlifter Francois Etoundi, who won the bronze medal in the 77-kg division on Sunday, was stripped of his games accreditation after being arrested over an alleged assault during an altercation in the athletes’ village. CWG Federation chief executive Mike Hooper described it as a ‘very serious incident’ that was witnessed by many people in the village early Wednesday. The Cameroon-born Etoundi was due in court in Glasgow later Thursday. ‘I made it clear I didn’t want him back in the village when violent behavior is asserted. The games have to be safe and secure,’ Hooper said.
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