It was during the warm-up before the final of the 400 meter hurdles that Wilfired Happio was jumped on and beaten by a person who entered the competition area.
- Someone jumped on Happio and hit him.
A man came out of nowhere and threw himself at him.
I'm completely speechless, it's one big mess.
It's outrageous.
But the man was arrested and Wilfried is fine, coach Olivier Vallaeys told L'Equipe.
"Do not want to talk about it"
But despite Happio coughing up blood and bleeding from his nose, he made it to the finals with a patch and a headband over his left eye.
But it does not seem to have affected him significantly as he both won the race and was noted for a personal best.
- I do not want to talk about what happened.
The feelings were good during the race, I am glad that I succeeded, says Happio according to RMC Sport.
The individual who abused Happio has been arrested, but no motives for the assault are known at present.