Vanderlei de Lima was the victim of one of the strangest moments in Olympic distance running history in 2004, when he was leading the Olympic marathon and tackled by an Irish priest on the streets of Athens.



De Lima, a Brazilian, hung on for bronze in 2004--Stefano Baldini passed him for gold and Meb Keflezighi passed him for silver--and lit the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies in Rio this weekend. On Saturday, ​New York Times ​reporter John Branch called the Irish priest who tackled him, a defrocked lunatic named Neil Horan, and the results were glorious.​

On why he tackled de Lima in 2004:

"I cannot explain why I assaulted that young man, put him aside like a rugby tackle. I believe there is such a thing as destiny, things that are meant to happen, and my only feeling is that it was meant to happen. It was providential."

On his raw, unfiltered, Christ-like takes:

"Some of what I say won't be very sympathetic toward Vanderlei. Just like my master Christ was very offensive, if needed, in what he said, I feel like, on this occasion, I have no choice."

On de Lima: 

"It's extremely sad that he never responded to my apologies, nevertheless acknowledged them. I would like to meet him and his family. But absolutely no response. I condemn him for this. He miserably failed in basic manners of human decency and courtesy...It is certain that he would not be the star of the opening ceremony if not for what I have done. He would not. How many people remember the gold medal winners of 12 years ago? Even those here in London four years ago? The sun faded out. A gold medal winner can walk down the street, and not many would know them. Who could name a winner of the gold medal 12 years ago? I could not."
​
In short--Christ inspired Horan to tackle de Lima, but also he wants to apologize for it, but also de Lima lacks decency and courtesy for not accepting the apology.​

Go read the whole story.