France’s world 800 metres champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse has revealed he sustained “multiple facial fractures” in a “violent assault” by three individuals which has ended his season.
French media outlets report that a 20-year-old man has been taken into custody as part of the investigation into the incident which happened at four in the morning on Saturday (August 26) outside a casino at Gujan-Mestras in the Gironde.
According to Sud Ouest, Bosse was approached by several individuals in the casino car park asking him to have a picture taken.
Bosse was said to have accepted before getting into his car, but he was then removed from the vehicle and hit in the face and on the body.
The 25-year-old from the Paris suburb of Vincennes, who missed an Olympic medal by one place last year, took gold at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in London earlier this month despite having his preparations undermined by a leg injury.
Bosse made a huge impact with his quirky and charming personality as he celebrated his unexpected triumph.
Last night he posted on social media that he was attacked by three individuals last Saturday (August 26), adding that an investigation is now under way.
Within 24 hours Bosse’s posting had drawn more than 5,000 comments, the majority of which were offering sympathy and support.
His translated Facebook post reads:
“Good evening, everyone.
“Last Saturday I was a victim of a violent assault following a crowd movement.
“Three people brutally assaulted me.”
“The Consequences:
– multiple fractures to the face
– many days of itt.
– unspeakable moral damage.
“An investigation is under way.
“For all these reasons, my season stops from this day!
“I’ve always loved people, I love three less today.
“Pab”
There have been no further details released at this stage.
Bosse was due to compete in the annual DecaNation in Angers on September 9.
By Mike Rowbottom
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.