Algeria's Makhloufi goes from Olympic villain to gold medal hero By John Bagratuni, dpa

London (dpa) - Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria went from Olympic cheat to 1,500 metres gold medallist within 36 hours in one of the more bizarre stories of the London Games.

Makhloufi won gold on Tuesday after initially being expelled from all Olympic races Monday by the ruling athletics body IAAF because "he had not provided a bona fide effort" in the 800m heat when he ran just 200m and then left the track.

Makhloufi reportedly had to race because Algerian officials failed to withdraw him from the 800m before the Sunday deadline. The Olympic schedule means the 1,500m final on Tuesday came just two hours after the 800m semis.

But later Monday the IAAF said that: "The disqualification has been revoked following the evidence provided by two LOCOG doctors, who independently confirmed that the athlete suffered from a painful injury, which however, with appropriate treatment, may allow him to compete in 24 hours."

The nature of the injury was not named and Makhloufi showed no sign of an ailment when he pulled away from his rivals with two surges in the final lap of the race, beating Leonel Manzano of the United States into second place and Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco into third.

"It‘s the will of God. Yesterday I was out, today I‘m in ... I just concentrated on my race and did not think about it," Makhloufi said. "I have a problem with my left leg and it may need surgery."

World and 2008 Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop of Kenya, who finished last in the final stating a hamstring problem, had no objections to Makhloufi being reinstated.

"Makhloufi should have been allowed to run. It was not a big offence," he said.

Makhloufi did not dwell too much on his roller-coaster ride and rather delighted in giving Algeria a second 1,500m gold, 16 years after Noureddine Morceli‘s triumph in Atlanta.

"It has given new life for my country ... I always wanted this medal and I hope it will be the start of a new era of 1500m running in Algeria," Makhloufi said. dpa bag mis hl