Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad was unable to sleep because of the “immense sadness” he felt at being stripped of the European 3,000 metres steeplechase crown for removing his vest and putting it in his mouth.

Robert Heffernan will face a stiff challenge to win the European 50km race walk title on the streets of Zurich this morning but his wife and coach, Marian, believes he’s in as good a shape as ever.

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad was stripped of his 3,000m steeplechase gold medal at the European Championships for removing his vest on the home straight.