Athlete Loses Gold For Removing Shirt

France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad has been stripped of his 3,000m steeplechase gold medal at the European Championships for taking his shirt off on the home straight.

Mekhissi-Benabbad waves after removing his shirt approaching the final hurdle

Mekhissi-Benabbad put his top in his mouth after pulling clear of the field.

Initially he appeared to be shown a yellow card by an official but was subsequently disqualified.

Frenchman Yoann Kowal now wins gold, Poland's Krystian Zalewski gets silver and Spain's Angel Mullera wins bronze

The Spanish team protested after the race, which saw Mullera cross the line fourth.

The Frenchman then poses with his national flag - only to be stripped of the gold medal later

Mekhissi-Benabbad, 29, who has won two Olympic silver medals, has previously caused controversy by fighting with France team-mate Mehdi Baala on the track in 2011.

He also pushed a mascot  after winning European Championships gold in Helsinki in 201