Kariem Hussein in lane 5 !

On Thursday at Athletissima, Kariem Hussein, European Champion of the 400m hurdles, will be in lane 5. “Meet Director, Jacky Delapierre, was kind to me and I could choose my lane. I went for lane 5. I am in good form having had flu a few weeks ago. My training has been going well.”

In Zurich last August, after his race, Kariem Hussein, completely ecstatic after winning, removed his shirt. An official instructed him to put it back on. Was he afraid of being sanctioned, or disqualified like the Frenchman Mekhissi after the 3000m steeplechase when he committed the same act just before the finish line? “Yes, I was scared of being punished. But it luckily was not the case. I was just so happy that I took off my top almost subconsciously.”