Venezuela's top cross country skier was in a fit of patriotic rage when he punched the landlord of his country's Canberra embassy.
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César Augusto Baena Sierraalta told police he believed his country had been disrespected and its sovereignty violated after the landlord blockaded the O'Malley embassy over an unpaid rental bill.
Baena, 30, pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday to common assault.
Court documents said the landlord, 71, had leased the property to the Venezuelan government to be used as the nation's embassy for the past 18 years.
Baena and the landlord had argued over the blockade, which had prevented access to the building by staff and members of the public.
The landlord turned to walk to his car when Baena punched him in the face, with the force of the blow causing the victim to fall to the ground.
Baena then fled and was found by police soon after in parkland.
Court papers said Baena made full admissions to police and showed remorse when questioned about the incident.
He told officers about the ongoing dispute and felt that the blockade had insulted Venezuela and violated its sovereignty.
He said he had become enraged when the landlord had refused access to the embassy and punched him out of anger that Venezuela had been "disrespected".
Baena, a cross country skier who has competed throughout the world, set a new Latin American record in the Kangaroo Hoppet race in Falls Creek, Victoria, in August.
He returns to court next month.