Whiteman furious over exit

Look back in anger: Tony Whiteman is down and out

British 1500m runner Tony Whiteman is devastated after crashing out of the Olympics in controversial style.

The 28-year-old looked set to clinch a place in the semi-finals in Sydney but was barged off the track.

Whiteman did return to the track, but knew that he had no chance of progressing from his heat and walked to the finish line.

The Carshalton-born runner could not hide his disgust as he threw his British vest to the ground as he left the arena.

Whiteman then kicked a box and chucked his official accreditation that had just been handed back to him to the floor.

Team GB consider lodging a protest, but it was highly unlikely to succeed because Whiteman had not finished the race.

Devastating

He said: "I support the decision of the management not to make a protest, but for 12 months of hard work to be ended like that is devastating.

"I'm exceptionally disappointed. I was in a good position with 200m to go but before I knew it I was in the infield, clipped then pushed from behind.

Graffin: fastest loser

"I was also badly spiked. Physical contact is normal in the 1500m but not to that extent."

John Mayock also ended his heat with a large spike mark on his leg but qualified for the semis in a time of 3min 39.08sec.

He said: "1500m running at this level is very tough. I am through to the next round and that's all I care about."

Mayock added the British camp were in buoyant mood after the medal winning efforts of recent days.

"The atmosphere in the whole team is good, it is much better than Atlanta. All the sports are mixing together and the training camp we had on the Gold Coast really helped.

Tonbridge Harrier Andrew Graffin qualified as a fastest loser, clocking 3:39.75, on his Olympic debut.