An athlete has been axed from the Paris Olympics after publicly complaining about being dropped from Germany’s relay team and missing the chance to race alongside her boyfriend.
Luna Bulmahn was surprisingly snubbed for the 4x400m mixed relay, a decision she and her partner Jean Paul Bredau angrily reacted to.
‘Yes, I am the second fastest 400-meter athlete on paper,’ Bulmahn wrote on Instagram.
‘No, I was not nominated for the mixed relay.’
Bulmahn’s place was taken by Alica Schmidt but Germany performed awfully in the event, finishing seventh in their round one race. Team GB went onto win bronze in the final.
Follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog for updates from the Paris 2024 Olympics
After the race, a frustrated Bredau suggested his girlfriend’s absence affected their performance, saying: ‘Not everything went perfectly beforehand. That’s why I didn’t have the energy.
‘A few decisions were made that not everyone approved. The DLV (Germany’s Athletics Association) made it very clear: the fastest four should run. A different decision was made.’
Bredau late apologised for his remarks and was cleared to continue racing in Paris but the DLV were not so lenient with Bulmahn, dropping her from the women’s 4x400m relay as punishment.
Reports also say she has been sent home from the games.
A statement from the DLV on the matter read: ‘The line-up was made with a view to a successful mixed relay team. The decision was made unanimously by the DLV coaching team and was explained to the athletes.
‘Jean Paul Bredau has apologised and will compete in the individual 400m race. Luna Bulmahn will not be used in the relay in Paris.
‘Relays are a team sport. The athletes and coaches form this team. Success depends on good teamwork and mutual trust among all.’
Schmidt for her part admitted she was saddened by the whole saga, saying: ‘There were disagreements beforehand. I have to say, we are a team.
‘We should stick together. We should trust what the coaches decide and be mentally ready accordingly.
‘Everyone prepares for this for three years. And if you stand here and don’t fully support the relay team – I find that difficult.’
The women’s 4x400m relay gets underway on Thursday morning, with the medal race taking place on Friday night.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : What does a green card mean in athletics at the Olympics?
MORE : Whale joins Olympic surfers during semi final in Tahiti
MORE : BBC commentator slams ‘unbelievably bad riding’ that ‘spooked’ horse at the Olympics
Share this with