Dutch skater disqualified for obscene gesture
Dutch speed skater Sjinkie Knegt was disqualified at the European Championships after giving Viktor Ahn of Russia the middle finger and an air kick to the behind.
Robert Michael from AFP/Getty caught this image which was published by media outlets worldwide. (screenshot/NL Times graphic)
Knegt made the obscene gestures after losing the men’s 500m final on Sunday at the ISU European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dresden, Germany.
Three-time Olympic short track gold medalist Ahn was celebrating after winning the race. Knegt was right behind him in second, The Independent reported.
Knegt raised both his middle fingers in the direction of Ahn. He also kicked out in Ahn's direction, the newspaper said.
Later, Knegt apologised for his reaction.
The European Championships was the final major tournament before next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. Both skaters will now compete in the Sochi games in February.
