tyla homepage
  • News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Olympic rule that got sprinter disqualified and left former Olympian baffled

Home> News

Published 13:15 6 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Olympic rule that got sprinter disqualified and left former Olympian baffled

Jeremiah Azu was left unable to compete in the 100m sprint, on behalf of Team GB

Kya Buller

Kya Buller

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images/Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Topics: Olympics, News, Sport

Kya Buller
Kya Buller

Kya is a Journalist at Tyla. She loves covering issues surrounding identity, gender, sex and relationships, and mental health. Contact: [email protected]

X

@kyajbuller

Advert

Advert

Advert

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.

Advert

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)
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)
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."

Choose your content:

13 hours ago
14 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Donald Trump's removal from office backed by politicians citing 25th Amendment after latest Iran threat

    Donald Trump is facing backlash from several Republicans - including Marjorie Taylor Greene - following his lethal threat against Iran

    News
  • NASA via Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Artemis II crew shares 'greatest' moments from historic mission

    The crew behind the record-breaking mission has been sharing the standout moments for them

    News
  • Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Barron Trump announces unexpected career move

    Donald Trump's eldest son has chosen a surprising career path

    News
  • ROTA-Pool/Getty Images
    15 hours ago

    Queen Elizabeth II wore white to King Charles and Queen Camilla's wedding for sweet reason

    Camilla Parker-Bowles wore a pale blue dress to her 2005 wedding, given that it was both her and Prince Charles' second time tying the knot

    News
  • Prince Harry and Justin Trudeau spark unusual debate after Olympian Eileen Gu shares ski trip photo
  • Olympic athlete Caster Semenya slams new sex testing women must undergo after transgender ban
  • Olympic dress code explained as Ukrainian Olympian banned from wearing helmet for race
  • US Olympian performs ‘illegal’ move that was banned over 50 years ago