Perec’s fianc裠assaults cameraman: Channel 9

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Sydney: Olympic Champion Marie-Jose Perec, fleeing the Sydney Games, and her fianc裠were questioned by police in Singapore on Thursday over an airport assault on a television cameraman, Australian Channel 9 television said.

The footage of the incident broadcast by Channel 9, which had put the cameraman on the same flight from Australia as the Frenchwoman, clearly showed a fist winding up for a punch.

Channel 9 news director Paul Fenn said Perec's fianc裠Anthuan Maybank hit the cameraman ''behind the ear and generally whacked him''. The cameraman was shaken but not hurt, Fenn said.

''The police questioned the pair of them (Perec and Maybank) in the airport and in the city and I understand they've been released,'' Fenn said. He said no charges would be laid.

Perec's sponsor Reebok earlier said she had decided to leave Sydney late on Wednesday after a man had forced himself into her hotel room and threatened her.

''Because of this unfortunate incident she has decided to withdraw from Saturday's competition,'' a Reebok statement said.



(c) Reuters Limited.