Adam Saleh: Ran his guts out - quite literally

The pair are now accompanied by minders wherever they go after an ugly incident on their promotional tour leading up to the championships.

They were drop-kicked and two-handed over the head with the hockey stick in second most distressing incident yet associated with Edmonton 2001.

In first place remains the moment at the conclusion of the men's marathon on Friday night, when Ahmed Adam Saleh crossed the finish line and promptly threw his guts up everywhere.

France's Larbi Zeroual, finishing just behind, was too shattered to look up and promptly walked right through Saleh's technicolour welcome mat.

Maybe Tracker and Fielder got off lightly. A few weeks ago, Root Bear, the mascot of local grid-iron team the Edmonton Eskimos, was beaten up after a game and carried from the stadium on a stretcher.

Ice vests vital

A mascot's job is tough enough without the worry of violent assault.

With temperatures reaching 30C at the hottest part of the day, it can get pretty uncomfortable inside a furry suit that weighs more than three stone.

The actors wear ice vests and there is a fan and ice pack within the costume's head, but they'll still lose a couple of kilograms in sweat on a five-hour shift.

Something to think about next time a giant purple animal grabs you by the arms and tries to two-step round the concourse, and the urge to strike out seems impossible to resist.