KRISTIAN BLUMMENFELT of Norway won the men’s triathlon Olympic title yesterday in a race marred by a bizarre false start.

The 27-year-old — the first Norwegian to medal in the triathlon — crossed the line in a time of 1 hour, 45 minutes and 4 seconds before raising the tape above his head and then throwing himself to the ground in celebration.

Jack Yee of Britain took silver, 11 seconds behind the winner whilst Hayden Wilde of New Zealand took bronze.

But the main talking point after the race was the chaotic start, which saw around two thirds of the 56 competitors dive into the water and set off on the swimming leg only to be hauled back.

The farcical scenes were caused by a media boat filming the competitors lined up before diving into the water for the 1.5 -kilometer swimming leg.

The pilot of the boat carried on his trajectory oblivious to the fact the siren had gone for the start of the race.

Whilst Yee and others who had been filmed were able to dive in to clear water the triathletes further along were blocked by the boat, which also reversed dangerously close to athletes already in the water.

Those able to had begun their race but were recalled once organizers realized the full extent of the disruption.

It was the first time since triathlon made its Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000 there had been a false start.

(SD-Agencies)