[danielf]

This is getting silly:

Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi has been excluded from the Olympic Games for not trying in Monday morning's 800m heat.

Makhloufi, who won one of Sunday's 1500m semi-finals, was forced to race in the 800m after Algeria failed to withdraw him before Sunday's deadline.

The 24-year-old completed barely 200m of his heat before quitting.

The International Association of Athletics Federations said he had "not provided a bona fide effort" and would be "excluded from further events".

Makhloufi lined up at the start of heat five, but quickly fell behind the rest of the field then stopped running and wandered across the infield.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19152117

He didn't want to compete in the 800m so he could focus on the 1500m. Algeria failed to withdraw him, so he was forced to take part, and then thrown out of the games for not trying hard enough. Seems to me that someone needs to consider the fact that the athletes aren't there for the crowds. They are there for themselves, and should (within reason) be able to do what they think is best for their medal chances.