THE SEOUL GAMES / DAY 12 : U.S. Athlete Johnny Gray Arrested After Kicking Taxi

Johnny Gray of the U.S. track and field team became the third American athlete to be detained for unruly behavior since the 1988 Olympics began when he was arrested for kicking a taxi.

Police officials said Wednesday that Gray was arrested after an argument with a taxi driver Tuesday night.

Gray had finished fifth in the Olympic 800-meter race this week.

According to the police account, the taxi driver, complaining that Gray was blocking the road, blew his car’s horn. Police said Gray kicked the taxi and then tried to flee.

Gray was questioned at a police station, then released in the custody of U.S. Embassy officials.

Ron Rowan, an attorney for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said that Gray and three unidentified companions complained that the cab had been driven dangerously and that they had almost been hit.

Rowan said the driver had been compensated for the damage.

The case was forwarded to the Public Prosecutor for possible action on charges of violent assault, police said.

Last Saturday, U.S. swimmers Troy Dalbey and Doug Gjertsen were arrested for taking a marble carving from a Seoul hotel.