Olympic rule that got sprinter disqualified and left former Olympian baffled

A sprinter for Team GB who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics found himself at the centre of controversy due to strict rules.

The 23-year-old sprinter Jeremiah Azu was disqualified from the 100m sprint on 3 August.

The disqualification happened as a result of Azu making a false start during the race, which he claimed was due to hearing a distracting noise within the Paris stadium.

Following his understanding that the noise shouldn't have led to him starting the race, he wanted to run - but was denied by officials.

The Olympian made attempts to change the decision but ultimately left the track as a result.

Jeremiah Azu was disqualified. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Speaking out afterwards, Azu told BBC One: "It's a shame. The crowd is excited, they've got the pole vaulting going on, the French fans are in here... it's a shame they didn't let me run under protest."

He continued: I am not sure what rules are being used. I was saying I want to run under protest. Any other race they allow you to run and then afterwards you review it. It's the Olympics so it is clearly different rules."

TalkSPORT reported him as adding: "I'm just going to go back, get this protest done as soon as possible, so I can come back and get into that semi-final."

US Olympian Michael Johnson - who is known as one of the best sprinters of all time - came to Azu's defence in the BBC Studio following the decision.

He said: "You're at the Olympic Games, you know you can't start before the gun. That was a blatant false start.

Azu has spoken out about the decision. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

"So that's not the issue. The pressure is not the issue, because this is the Olympic Games, you're a professional athlete. This is what you do.

"The issue is whether he heard something. Because if he did hear something, then that is a legitimate excuse."

He continued: "Nobody else heard it though. He's the only one that did. That's the problem for him. And that's going to be the problem with the protest.

"He's right about not understanding the rules, because I don't either, normally they allow you to run under protest."

He concluded: "It's frustrating for the other athletes as well. Going back to the controversy... just let him run under protest so you can get it on. Because that caused a lot of delay for other athletes, a lot of frustration for fans, and for everyone else.

"They should let you run under protest and sort it out later."