World record holder Tobi Amusan still has a slim chance of competing in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Amusan’s opportunity hinges on the possibility that one of the eight finalists may withdraw from the race due to injury or another reason.
Amusan finished third in the first semi-final with a time of 12.55 seconds, narrowly missing automatic qualification. Her hopes of securing one of the fastest non-automatic spots were also thwarted when France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela clocked 12.52 seconds, claiming the final spot.
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Despite calls from Nigerians for Samba-Mayela’s disqualification after she was seen stepping outside her lane, it is noted that such infractions apply only to races with curves, like the 200m and relays, not straight races.
Deji Aliu, Athens 2004 Olympic bronze medallist, explained, “They don’t disqualify like that on straight races; it’s only on a curve. As long as there is no infringement, like impeding the other athletes in any way, she will be disqualified, but if she doesn’t, she won’t be disqualified.”
Athletics coach and statistician Lekan Soetan added, “In a race that is not bent, you are only running extra distance when you step out of your lane. So, disqualification applies if she impeded another athlete. I’m sure World Athletics would have removed her if that was the case.”
Both Aliu and Soetan noted that Amusan could still make it to the final if any of the finalists withdraw before the race. “That’s a new rule. If someone pulls out before the final, there is a possibility that Tobi can come in,” Aliu stated. Soetan further explained, “If eight finalists are warming up, if someone pulls out, probably injured, they can call in someone waiting. So, Tobi is the waiting athlete in case there is an injury.”
Amusan, aged 27, concluded Team Nigeria’s athletics campaign on a disappointing note, following the disqualification of the men’s 4x400m relay team for running on the lines. The relay team, consisting of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene, and Chidi Okezie, had finished second in their heat with a season’s best time of 2:59.81.
