Running News Daily

French marathon record holder facing domestic violence charges

Morhad Amdouni, known for knocking over water bottles at the Tokyo Olympics, will be tried in court in February after allegedly attempting to strangle his wife.

French marathon record holder Morhad Amdouni has been reportedly summoned to appear before the Meaux criminal court in February for alleged domestic violence. Despite heated denials by the accused party, additional claims by his wife of sexual assault and rape are currently being investigated by French authorities.

The reported incident occurred after an argument broke out upon the partner learning of Amdouni’s infidelity; the victim claims her husband attempted to strangle her in front of their son. Amdouni was arrested at his Serris, France home on Sept. 18.

The father of two is facing charges of willful violence against his partner; the alleged assault reportedly left her unable to work for multiple days. The marathoner’s mother, brother and mistress underwent questioning regarding the domestic violence claim.

While no longer detained in custody, Amdouni has been placed under judicial supervision “for acts of domestic violence committed between September 2023 and September 2024,” as confirmed by the Meaux prosecutor’s office, until his court hearing, scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025. The prosecutor’s office is still investigating the victim’s further claims of sexual assault and rape.

L’Equipe reports that Amdouni confirmed the arrest and his upcoming summons. “Arguments between couples can happen,” he told L’Equipe. “But to the point where it gets to this point, that’s a lot. I want us to be able to resolve these delicate matters between adults.”

In 2018, Amdouni became the first French athlete in history to win the 10,000m title at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin. He set the national record of 2:03:47 at the Zurich Seville Marathon in February. He did not compete at the Paris Olympics due to injury.

A notorious athlete

Amdouni has a reputation in the running world; the 36-year-old gained negative attention after knocking over elites’ drinks bottles at a water station, leaving no drinks for the athletes behind him.

The French runner also hit headlines in 2019, after media channels published alleged conversations between him and a doping supplier from 2017.