Three Sprinters Disqualified in Men's 100m Event at Paris Olympics
- Three sprinters, including an 18-year-old from Mozambique, were disqualified during the early rounds of the men's 100m at the Paris Olympics.
- This incident raises questions about the rules and regulations surrounding disqualification in Olympic events.
- The consequences of these disqualifications could impact the athletes' careers and their countries' representations in the games.
In a dramatic start to the men's 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, three sprinters, including an 18-year-old from Mozambique, faced disqualification in the early rounds due to false starts. The stringent false start rules dictate that any athlete exerting more than 25kg of force on the starting blocks is disqualified. This rule has been in place since the introduction of block starts at the Olympics in 1948, replacing the previous method of digging holes in the track. Athletes have the option to appeal disqualifications, and if found to be incorrectly excluded, they may be allowed to run alone to record a time and potentially qualify for subsequent rounds. The rules have evolved over the years, with a controversial period from 2003 to 2009 allowing one false start per athlete, which ultimately led to confusion and frustration among competitors. British sprinter Richard Kilty criticized the current false start regulations, describing them as "pathetic" after experiencing a disqualification for a quick reaction time in a previous race. The pressure of competing in front of an enthusiastic Olympic crowd was palpable, as noted by Welsh sprinter Azu, who expressed frustration over the distractions that contributed to the false starts. The last instance of a female athlete false starting in the Olympic 100m occurred during the preliminary rounds of the London 2012 Games, highlighting the rarity of such events in Olympic history. As the competition continues, the focus remains on the athletes and their performances amidst the challenges posed by the rules.