World indoor high jump record-holder Carlo Thranhardt...

World indoor high jump record-holder Carlo Thranhardt of West Germany, who left the arena during competition, was stripped of the bronze medal he won Saturday at the European Indoor Track and Field Championships at Budapest.

The decision followed a protest by the Romanian team. Third place instead went to Romania’s Sorin Matei, who jumped 7-feet 8 1/2-inches.

After exceeding the 30-second regulation during his first attempt at 7-6 1/2, Thranhardt, who holds the world indoor record of 7-11, packed his gear and stormed out of the arena when the jump was disallowed by the judges.

He said his concentration had been disturbed by a clash on the track during the men’s 3,000 meters, and also claimed he was impeded by one of the high jump officials standing in his way.