Outrage has erupted following the astonishing performance of an “untrained” Somali runner during a women’s 100-meter race at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. Nasra Abukar Ali, a 20-year-old from Somalia, completed the race in a staggering 21.81 seconds, finishing last. The stark difference in timing was evident as Brazil’s Gabriela Silva crossed the finish line a full 10 seconds ahead of Ali. The cameras even captured Ali still running while her competitors were already slowing down.
This incredible display, despite Ali’s commendable effort, has been seen as a catastrophe for Somalia. While some find it amusing to witness Ali competing at such a high level, others feel it reflects poorly on their country. Somali commentator Elham Garaad expressed disappointment towards the Ministry of Youth and Sports, calling for their resignation and questioning the selection of an untrained athlete to represent Somalia internationally.
In response to the global outrage, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia initiated an investigation into Ali’s participation in the World University Games. It was discovered that Ali didn’t undergo any qualification process to compete in the games, but rather her selection was influenced by her relation to Khadija Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation. Dahir’s social media post featuring Ali at her graduation raised suspicions of nepotism.
Following a preliminary investigation meeting with the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee of Somalia, the Ministry of Youth and Sports called for Dahir’s suspension. The investigation concluded that Ali was not a sports person or a runner, and Dahir was found guilty of abuse of power, nepotism, and tarnishing the nation’s reputation on the international stage.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports vehemently expressed their intention to take legal action against both the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and those involved in the falsification of the Somali University Sports Association.
The mystery surrounding Ali’s participation in the event in China remains, as countries usually require athletes to meet certain qualifications. However, World Athletics does provide a loophole where countries with no qualified male or female athletes can enter one unqualified athlete in one event. This was seen in the case of Ka’Alieena Bien from the Marshall Islands during the previous World Athletics Championships.
Despite the controversy, one thing is clear: Ali’s performance pales in comparison to others in the race. It serves as a reminder that talent and preparation are essential for success in high-level competitions.
[Image Caption: General view of a hurdle on the track at Hayward Field during the USATF Outdoor Championships in Oregon.]
[Image Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images]
[Image Caption: General views during the London Athletics Meet at London Stadium.]
[Image Source: Sam Mellish/Getty Images]
It is pertinent to mention that Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
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