French hurdler assaulted 20 minutes before winning national title
Wilfried Happio went on to win the French 400mH title with a bandaged eye, in a personal best time of 48.57 seconds, which is under the world standard
On Saturday evening at the French Track and Field Championships in Caen, France, 400m hurdler Wilfried Happio was assaulted 20 minutes before the start of his race. Moments later, Happio went on to win the French 400mH title, with a bandaged eye, in a personal best time of 48.57 seconds, which is under the world standard and the fifth-fastest time ever by a French citizen.
? Minima pour les Mondiaux de Eugene !
? Wilfried Happio (Lille Métropole Athlé) champion de France Elite du 400 m haies en 48''57 !
? Cinquième meilleur performeur ?? de l'histoire !
? Suivez les #CFAthlé en DIRECT sur https://t.co/63xdTVtG50 et @lachainelequipe. pic.twitter.com/s4QTyk50iT
— FFAthlétisme (@FFAthletisme) June 25, 2022
According to RMC Sport and Happio’s coach, Olivier Vallaeys, the hurdler was assaulted in the warmup area by an individual who appeared “out of nowhere,” while Happio was warming up. Security was present on the scene and quickly intervened, calling the municipal police immediately, who arrested the attacker. The motive behind the attack have not been released, but Happio told reporters that the man asked “Are you Wilfried Happio?” before striking him in the face.
Wilfried Happio was assaulted during his warmup 20min before the race. Coughing up blood. Put on a makeshift eyepatch…went out and won the French Championships 400mH final!pic.twitter.com/OK7ZRr67T4
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) June 27, 2022
Happio was struck in the nose and eye, and was bleeding from nose when he came through the media zone moments later. He ended up using his Adidas headband as a bandage during the race.
Vallaeys told French newspaper L’Equipe that Happio is OK; his injuries were treated at a local hospital post-race. “We are in shock. The guy was arrested. Wilfried is fine. But I am speechless. This is pure aggression. It’s outrageous,” Vallaeseys said.
A man asked him if he was Wilfried Happio before attacking him.
Shades of Nancy Kerrigan, anyone? pic.twitter.com/CV7xfXzxrf
— Martin Gardner (@mglovesfun) June 25, 2022
The French Athletics Federation filed a civil and criminal complaint against the man on Sunday.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
