The runner who finished last in 400m race as his penis fell out of shorts ‘after decision to go commando’ has spoken.
Decathlete Alberto Nonino, 18, was left red-faced after the embarrassing wardrobe malfunction during the 400m race of the decathlon at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships.
An Italian runner came last in his 400m race at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships recently – after having to run with his penis falling out of his baggy shorts, having opted to ditch the underwear. Decathlete Alberto Nonino started off well and even managed to race past two competitors in an impressive show of speed on the last bend.
But in the final straight, onlookers clocked Nonino slow down considerably, and further eyebrows were raised when he was captured grabbing his crotch up to six times as his rivals went past him, reports the Mirror. Unfortunately, he finished last, with the 18-year-old’s problems down below immediately given as the reason for his slow-down.
David Sanchez de Castro, a sports journalist, teased the teen on the embarrassing moment on social media alongside footage of the slip-up. He tweeted: “World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. Last series of the 400 meters decathlon. The Italian Alberto Nonino in lane five begins very well but crosses the finishing line last. He had his p***k out, literally.”
He added in a follow-up explanation to followers who didn’t immediately grasp what he was getting at: “Perhaps I’ve explained myself poorly. His penis escaped out of the side of his shorts and he had to hold it because it wasn’t allowing him to run properly which is normal when your dongle is swinging from side to side.”
Spanish-speaking press were quick to claim Nonino’s slow 51.57-second 400m was the result of him opting to run without underpants.
The athlete appeared to confirm his problems in the shorts department were to blame for his disappointing performance, after taking to social media when the footage started going viral.
He said in an Instagram story: “I just want to talk to you a little bit about the rumpus there’s been on blogs and social media in general. I’m conscious it was obviously an accident and I’d like to tell you I’m aware of the reaction and you don’t need to send me the links to the blogs out there.
“I’m trying to laugh about it now but immediately afterwards I felt terrible and I’m thankful to my friends and family for helping me get over what happened a few hours later.”
He added in a swipe at the press attention his faux pas has received: “The journalistic world worries about cases of bullying throughout Italy and around the world and then publishes these articles that for a more sensitive person could have done a lot of harm.”
Japanese pole vaulter Hiroki Ogita earned global fame at the 2016 Rio Olympics after his penis appeared to knock off the bar while qualifying.