Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore rewards Govindan Lakshamanan with 10 lakh

Govindan Lakshmanan had stepped off the track momentarily, as he was hit by the spike of another athlete. The Indian team protested against the disqualification at two levels but it was turned down.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore rewarded Indian athlete Govindan Lakshamanan with ₹10 lakh on Thursday, acknowledging the long distance runner’s performance in the 10,000m race in which he was dramatically disqualified after finishing third.

India's Lakshmanan Govindan had won a bronze but was later stripped of the same. (AP)

Lakshmanan had stepped off the track momentarily, as he was hit by the spike of another athlete. The Indian team protested against the disqualification at two levels but it was turned down.

“To encourage the athlete to keep doing the hard work and strive for the medals, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Col Rajyavardhan Rathore rewarded him ₹10 lakh,” read a statement from the Sports Ministry.