French athletics badboy Mahiedine Mekhissi won the European 1500 metres title to make up for the disappointment of being disqualified after winning the 3000m steeplechase on Thursday.
The 29-year-old -- a two-time Olympic silver medallist in the steeplechase -- sauntered home on Sunday in a race littered with falls to take the gold on the final day of the championships in Zurich.
It was a moment of redemption of sorts for Mekhissi, who was disqualified after winning his third successive steeplechase European crown on Thursday for whipping off his vest before the end of the race.
In 2011, Mekhissi was given a suspended ban by the French federation, fined 1,500 euros ($A2,250) and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service after getting into a fist fight with compatriot Mehdi Baala after a Diamond League 1500m race in 2011.
"Today I had no other desire than to show the rest of the world what I was capable of," he said.
"They took away my European title. And they rubbed my nose in it.
"I had such a burning rage inside me that I felt as if nothing could touch me in this final. I am very proud of myself."
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