10-kilometre run is in the hospital's intensive care unit after being beaten up while out celebrating his win.

Charles Mulinga, 27, was knocked unconscious outside the Odyssey nightclub on Front Street in the early hours of Monday morning.

He suffered multiple head injuries in the attack, which happened just after 2 a.m.

Mr. Mulinga was later discovered by club doormen who called an ambulance. He was placed in the intensive care unit of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and examined by a team of doctors.

Last night a spokesman for the hospital described his condition as "stable'' and insisted that he would not be receiving visitors for the next few days.

Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said Government had offered to pick up the athlete's medical bill.

Mr. Mulinga, who represented Zambia at the last Olympics, was out celebrating his victory in the Bermuda International Race Weekend 10K race when the attack happened.

He had been to an awards dinner at Pier Six on Front Street and then to a Front Street pub, before visiting Odyssey.

The Royal Gazette understands that Mr. Mulinga was carrying his race winner's cheque for $1,000 as well as his prize trophy when he was attacked but Police have not been able to discover if either prize was stolen.

Details about Mr. Mulinga's assailants are still sketchy and Police are refusing to say what line their inquiries are following.

A Police spokeswoman said: "We have spoken to Mr. Mulinga but he still has not as yet decided to make an official complaint.

"The investigation is still ongoing but we do not have any reports of anything being stolen in the attack.'' The Royal Gazette understands that the scuffle broke out following a dispute between Mr. Mulinga and a woman who was leaving the club with a group of friends.

Odyssey nightclub owner Tracy Tucker, who was working at the club on Sunday night, explained how he was called to the scene of the attack by club staff.

"I was called down by two of the bouncers,'' Mr. Tucker said.

"I could see Mr. Mulinga lying on the ground with his eyes closed, although he was still breathing. He then opened his eyes and I sat him up and then went to phone an ambulance.

"I was working behind the bar earlier and I know I served him a lot of drinks.

"I spoke to one of my bouncers and he said that Mr. Mulinga was trying to get on this girl's case but she was with somebody else.'' Mr. Edness, however, said: "I don't know what caused it but there was speculation he may have given reason -- but I haven't been able to substantiate that.

"Violence is violence and we shouldn't be using violence to solve any problem. I won't comment on how it was initiated until Police have completed their investigation.

"But I will say I deplore and condemn for whatever reason and it's particularly unfortunate that it should happen when the eyes of the world are on us. It does not help Bermuda's reputation.'' Mr. Mulinga is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days, although he could be taken out of the intensive care unit shortly.

His family in Zambia have been told about the incident through Mr. Mulinga's agent in New Mexico.

Race organisation committee chairman Philip Guishard, who managed to speak with Mr. Mulinga yesterday morning, said: "His injuries are considered to be serious enough for him to be kept under observation for a period of time.

"Presently he is need of a lot of rest, after which it may be possible to ascertain the nature of the injuries and how soon it will be before he is able to fly out to his base in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

"I was able to speak to him this morning, although only for about a minute as it was obvious that he just wanted to sleep.

"Mr. Mulinga is resting as reasonably comfortable as is possible in such circumstances and has been visited by race officials and the president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association.'' Reaction: Sport, Page 17 Charles Mulinga Graphic file name: RUNNSRU7