Makwala exposes biased IAAF

 

Botswana’s 400m icon Isaac Makwala this week made his way into IAAF World Championship folklore following a controversial disqualification from the 400m race final on Tuesday night in London, UK. However on Wednesday night the local athlete shocked the world when he managed to qualify for both the 200m semi final and final race within two hours.

This week Makwala was one of the most talked about people in the world after taking part in a solo race at the ongoing World championships. The intriguing run saw Makwala qualify for the 200m semi final just hours before the final race qualifier where he came second to Isaiah Young of the USA.

The local athlete became the subject   of a major controversy when he was denied   entry into the   stadium facility where   he was   due to compete for the 400m   final against South African rival Wayde Van Niekerk and his compatriot Baboloki Thebe. Makwala was denied access   into   the stadium after allegations that he was one of the 30 athletes who were affected by the norovirus following an outbreak at a hotel where some of the athletes are staying. However, the runner   insisted   that he  was   never   tested for the virus by IAAF   doctors.

The following   day   the issue   had become an international uproar and quickly knives were drawn for the IAAF top brass who were swift to act on the matter. A solo race was ordered   in which Makwala  ran  against the clock to   beat the 20.53 sec required to qualify for the 200m semi final.

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