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Runner's medal heartbreak

Rio Olympics 2016: Paul Chelimo heartbroken as he finds out he has been disqualified from 5,000 metres final by TV interviewer – but gets relief as he is reinstated

DISTANCE runner Paul Chelimo was left crushed as an interviewer informed him that he was being robbed of an Olympic silver medal, seconds after crossing the line.

The 5,000-metre runner, who finished behind Mo Farah in his historic final, was initially disqualified.

Paul Chelimo was heartbreakingly told he had missed out on the silver medal in Rio
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Paul Chelimo was heartbreakingly told he had missed out on the silver medal in RioCredit: NBC
Paul Chelimo could not believe what he was hearing as the reporter told him he had been disqualified
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Paul Chelimo could not believe what he was hearing as the reporter told him he had been disqualifiedCredit: NBC
NBC reporter Lewis Johnson told Paul Chelimo he had been disqualified after finishing behind Mo Farah in the 5,000 metres final
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NBC reporter Lewis Johnson told Paul Chelimo he had been disqualified after finishing behind Mo Farah in the 5,000 metres finalCredit: NBC

NBC reporter Lewis Johnson told him moments after he left the track following the race that his result was being scrubbed.

Johnson said: "Paul, I am getting some information here that you have been disqualified in this final."

The shock on Chelimo's face was immediately evident as the news hit him profoundly.

Chelimo, 25, replied: "Disqualified? No, no, no."

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Paul Chelimo staggered backwards as the news that he had been disqualified sank in
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Paul Chelimo staggered backwards as the news that he had been disqualified sank inCredit: NBC
Paul Chelimo was born in Kenya but has chosen to represent the United States in international athletics
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Paul Chelimo was born in Kenya but has chosen to represent the United States in international athleticsCredit: NBC
Paul Chelimo (left) finished second behind Britain's Mo Farah in the 5,000 metres final
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Paul Chelimo (left) finished second behind Britain's Mo Farah in the 5,000 metres finalCredit: EPA
Paul Chelimo embraced Mo Farah after the Brit won his historic fourth Olympic gold medal
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Paul Chelimo embraced Mo Farah after the Brit won his historic fourth Olympic gold medalCredit: Reuters
Paul Chelimo (left) eventually DID pick up a silver medal in the 5,000 metres after Team USA lodged a successful protest over his disqualification
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Paul Chelimo (left) eventually DID pick up a silver medal in the 5,000 metres after Team USA lodged a successful protest over his disqualificationCredit: Getty Images

The Kenya-born American later claimed that he had been trying to get to an outside lane to make his move in the race.

He added: "I was trying to go to the outside to get in position.

"They were blocking me in. They were pushing me into the rail. I was trying to save myself from all of the pushing.

"I can't believe it. I was running a fair race. I wasn't trying to pick someone.

"I was trying to go to the outside because the Cuban guy kept blocking me in the whole time."

USA Track and Field later appealed the decision, which was successfully overturned.

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