Pole vaulter's 'baring' revelry draws flak

Monaco:

Germany's Tim Lobinger's celebrations after winning the pole vault in Saturday's World Athletics Final in Monaco have not been appreciated by the sport's governing body. After completing his winning vault of 5.91metres, Lobinger ran towards the stands and pulled down his shorts to bare his backside. The spectators at the event included members of the Monaco royal family. The 31-year-old athlete later explained his action to reporters as a 'spontaneous' move that was also meant to express his opposition to new rules, which, among other things, give less time between jumps. Earlier in the competition he had been denied a clean jump by officials who claimed he had lifted the falling bar back into place with his hand - a decision, which may have inspired the cheeky celebration later. Replays suggest that the officials were right to rule out the German's earlier attempt, but it did not stop Lobinger from remonstrating with the umpires. Lobinger is known in Germany for flamboyant behavior, but this time his exuberance could cost him - the bottom line is that the IAAF did not find his behaviour after winning the event amusing. The German athletics federation (DLV) will wait for the IAAF report before deciding whether to impose their own sanctions but their President, Clemens Prokop, also made it clear he found the action inappropriate. "We all know Tim's showmanship qualities" he said "But even with all the tension of such an important competition, something like that doesn't belong there, it's rude, un-sportsman like behaviour." Lobinger thought the incident was innocent fun. "It's not something you plan in advance" he told reporters in Monaco, "It just happens. I knew I had underwear on." (AP)