French marathon runner sparks sportsmanship row by knocking over water bottles - then running off with last one

A French athlete has sparked outrage by appearing to deliberately knock over a row of water bottles during the men's marathon. 

Morhad Amdouni, who grabbed the only remaining bottle for himself, finished 14th in the 26-mile event which was won by Eliud Kipchoge, who successfully defended his title from Rio. 

But Amdouni's actions sparked immediate criticism from viewers, with Australian long-distance runner Ben St Lawrence tweeting: "Thoughts on Amdouni knocking over an entire row of water before taking the last one?" 

Piers Morgan, meanwhile, attacked Amdouni as the "biggest d------ of the Olympics", but other people jumped in to defend the Frenchman - saying it was accidental, and there was another water station slightly further up the road where his competitors could have grabbed a drink anyway. 

Kipchoge obliterated his rivals in brutally hot conditions to triumph in two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds. A number of leading athletes struggled - 31 of the 105 starters failed to finish - and there were dramatic scenes of some collapsing on course, but Kipchoge was a picture of serenity throughout. 

Abdi Nageeye, of the Netherlands, claimed a distant silver in 2hr 9min 58sec, with Belgium’s Bashir Abdi taking bronze. Hampered by niggling injuries in the build-up, 

Britain’s Callum Hawkins - who has finished fourth at the last two World Championships - dropped out soon after halfway. Chris Thompson finished 54th, while Ben Connors also failed to finish.