- Cyréna Samba-Mayela might be disqualified after being captured stepping out of her lane
- Nigerians who want their athlete Tobi Amusan to compete in the final have called for Samba-Mayela’s disqualification
- TheRadar understands that Nigeria’s sports officials need to appeal before the final match is played if any disqualification must happen
France athlete Cyréna Samba-Mayela could face disqualification after footage emerged that she stepped out of her line before reaching the finish line of the 100-metre hurdles race.
This may mean good news for Nigerians who watched their representative Tobi Amusan come agonisingly close but finish just outside the green line, as the disqualification of Samba-Mayela could mean good news for Amusan
Amusan missed out on the 100-meter hurdles final after running 12.55 seconds in the semifinals on Friday, August 9. Only the top eight athletes advanced to the finals, and Amusan finished just outside that group in ninth place.
There is then a small chance that she might still make it to the finals if Cyréna Samba-Mayela from France, who stepped out of her lane, is disqualified. If that happens, Amusan will move into the top eight and compete in the final on Saturday, August 10.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) would need to file an appeal before this happens, giving Tobi Amusan an outside chance of making it to the final.
However, currently, the standings remain unchanged.
Netizens call for Samba-Mayela’s disqualification
Nigerians are calling her out on social media and want her disqualified.
Below are some of the reactions to the revelation:
“Yes. The French lady Samba-Mayela stepped out of her lane, so she should be disqualified under the rules, which will give Tobi the next qualifying spot,” @Iammarels commented.
“NIGERIANS MUST PUSH this until officials of #Paris2024
#Olympic do something....
@OwanEnoh
Cyréna Samba-Mayela of France🇫🇷 stepped out of her lane just before the finish line which mean Tobi Amusan🇳🇬 MAY still qualify for the Womens 100m Hurdles Final if AFN/NOC appeal📌
The Olympic rules are clear👇🏽
✅Runners must stay within their assigned lanes, which measure 1.22 meters (4 feet) wide, from start to finish
✅Any athlete who runs outside the assigned lane is subject to disqualification
Now this rule clearly stated that the athlete must maintain his or her lane at all levels from start to finish in which Cyréna Samba-Mayela of France🇫🇷 violat£d.
Cyrena Samba-Mayela🇫🇷 finished 4th in semi final 3 in a time of 12.52s and qualified for the Final as one of the next two fastest times across all semi finals.
Cyréna SAMBA-MAYELA🇫🇷 could be disqualified and replace by Tobi Amusan🇳🇬 if the Olympics team look into her race👀,” @dmightyangel explained critically.
“Are we sure the Nigerian delegates understand the rules?” @Vikcade asked
“People that are tasked to do this is somewhere drinking beer,” @Ezeifeka_Obinna stated
Paris Olympics 2024: Reason 4x400m men’s team was disqualified
Previously, TheRadar reported that team Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics missed out on a place in the final after South Africa took their spot, lowering Nigeria’s chances of winning a medal.
This news follows the performance of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene, and Chidi Okezie, who finished second in heat 2 with a Season’s Best time of 2 minutes 59.81 seconds. France won the race with a time of 2 minutes 59.53 seconds, while Belgium took third place with a time of 2 minutes 59.84 seconds, securing the last automatic spot.
