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Begg-Smith does a bizarre runner at Sochi airport

Australia's reclusive Olympic champion Dale Begg-Smith is at it again, snubbing the waiting media upon his arrival in Sochi for the Winter Olympic Games.

Canadian-born Begg-Smith is Australia's most decorated Winter Olympian, having won gold in 2006 and silver in 2010.

After a three-year absence from competition, Begg-Smith will chase his third Olympic medal in the men's moguls in Sochi.

The 29-year-old declined to hold any interviews upon his arrival in Russia, but reportedly agreed to be filmed by the media as he made his way through the airport.

Instead, Begg-Smith left the airport through a different exit and the media only caught up with him as he was boarding his car.

Having chased the skier to the car park, frustrated journalists were left to take up the issue with Australian officials as Begg-Smith sped away.

Officials explained the mix-up was simply a misunderstanding after some of Begg-Smith's luggage had gone missing.

Journalists attempt to catch up to Begg-Smith's car.
Journalists attempt to catch up to Begg-Smith's car.

"It's not what any of us planned at the start of the evening but there was no evil in terms of intent from our point of view," chef de mission Ian Chesterman insisted.

"I'm a little bit perplexed at the end of a long day.

"He just does not enjoy this aspect of life and that's the way he's conducted himself."

Begg-Smith's car drives away with the door still open.
Begg-Smith's car drives away with the door still open.

Begg-Smith, who moved to Australia when he was 16, is a multimillionaire who made his fortune through an internet business that developed malware and spyware.

Now based in the Cayman Islands, he has always had a frosty relationship with the media and his comeback to the sport has been shrouded in secrecy.

Journalists try to reason with an Australian official.
Journalists try to reason with an Australian official.