World record holder Tobi Amusan still has a slim chance of competing in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, this opportunity hinges on one of the eight finalists electing not to run due to injury or another reason.
Amusan narrowly missed a place in the final after finishing third in the first semi-final with a time of 12.55 seconds. This result meant she did not automatically qualify, and her hopes of advancing as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers were dashed when France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela secured the last spot with a time of 12.52 seconds.
Although Samba-Mayela was observed stepping outside of her lane during the race, prompting Nigerians to call for her disqualification, the rule only applies to races with curves, such as the 200m and relays.
“They don’t disqualify like that in straight races; it’s only on a curve. As long as there is no infringement, like impeding other athletes in any way, she won’t be disqualified,” explained Deji Aliu, a bronze medallist from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Athletics coach and statistician Lekan Soetan added, “In a straight race, stepping out of your lane only means you’re running extra distance. Disqualification applies if she impeded another athlete. I’m sure World Athletics would have removed her if that were the case.”
Aliu and Soetan also noted that Amusan could still get a lifeline if any of the finalists withdraw before the final on Saturday.
“That’s a new rule. If someone pulls out before the final, Tobi might be able to step in,” Aliu stated.
“If any of the eight finalists warming up withdraws, likely due to injury, they can call in a waiting athlete. Tobi is the waiting athlete in this case,” Soetan elaborated.
“So, all hope isn’t lost until the start list is confirmed or all finalists take to the track, or perhaps 30 minutes before the race. However, it’s unlikely that anyone would not want to run in the final.
But sometimes, during warm-up, you may realise you can’t compete after attacking the hurdles. That miracle could happen.”
The 27-year-old Amusan closed Team Nigeria’s athletics campaign on a somber note, just after the men’s 4x400m relay team was also disqualified for stepping on the lines.
The quartet 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.
