Navia wins hearts after ‘DQ’

RIO DE JANEIRO: Little-known Spaniard Miguel Duran Navia tugged on Brazilian heart-strings after a false start left him in tears. The 20-year left the blocks early

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RIO DE JANEIRO: Little-known Spaniard Miguel Duran Navia tugged on Brazilian heart-strings after a false start left him in tears. The 20-year left the blocks early in his 400 metres freestyle heat and was already sobbing uncontrollably as he climbed out of the pool and walked back to collect his things.

The Brazilian crowd gave Navia a raucous hand, recognising that four years of hard work had gone down the drain, as the young Spaniard trudged despondently from the pool deck – only to shuffle back out moments later to another rousing reception.

Confusion reigned but Navia, still visibly upset, climbed back onto the blocks in lane seven for the restart. He finished last after running the full gamut of emotions.