'Youth minister' slaps reporter's bum while running race leaving her 'violated'

A participant slapped WSAV reporter Alex Bozarjian on her bum while she was reporting on the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run - now he's been banned from future events

A runner who slapped a female reporter on her bottom during a live TV broadcast of a race has been banned from future events.

The man was filmed appearing to assault WSAV reporter Alex Bozarjian while she was covering the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run in Georgia, US, on Saturday. 

The video, which has been shared on Twitter by hundreds of thousands of people, shows Ms Bozarjian in shock after a runner comes up behind her to smack her on her bum.

The TV reporter later retweeted the video and said: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning. You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."

The video, which has had more than 9 million views, prompted outrage on Twitter.

Social media users were quick to try and identify the runner using his bib number, who according to the Daily Mail is a youth church minister.

Savannah Sports Council tweeted on Sunday that it would ban the runner from taking part in any future events.

It tweeted: "Yesterday at the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run a reporter from WSAV was inappropriately touched by a registered participant of the event.

"Our title sponsor, Enmarket and the Savannah Sports Council take this matter extremely seriously and fully condemn this individual’s actions.

"Yesterday afternoon we identified him and shared his information with the reporter and her station.

"We will not tolerate behavior like this at a Savannah Sports Council event. We have made the decision to ban this individual from registering for all Savannah Sports Council owned races."

Savannah Police Department said it is aware of the incident and has spoken to Ms Boozarjian, the Washington Post reports.

The police department said investigators will proceed, depending on what Ms Bozajian wants to do.