After initially being blocked from competing in the IAAF World Championships in London due to fear of a norovirus outbreak, Isaac Makwala of Botswana was given a chance to run after all.
Makwala was banned from running in the 400-meter final by IAAF officials after being seen vomiting before a race. With caution being given to prevent the spread of a norovirus outbreak, officials decided to hold Makwala out of the event to keep him away from other competitors. After much backlash over the decision that affected at least 30 track and field competitors, Makwala got to run the 200m under special conditions. He had to run the event by himself.
Isaac Makwala runs by himself to try & qualify for the next round of the 200m. 👍 #bbcathletics #fiasco #london2017 pic.twitter.com/Acaz4jDF70
— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) August 9, 2017
Despite vastly sub-optimal circumstances, Makwala managed to beat the time he needed to qualify for the semifinals of the race.
Makwala will be in lane 7. Note it's cold & pouring rain in London tonight. Not ideal conditions for anything. Esp this. #London2017 pic.twitter.com/cE7WfT9yjf
— Perdita Felicien (@perditafelicien) August 9, 2017
Here was the IAAF’s explanation Wednesday for reversing course and letting Makwala run:
“Given his quarantine period expired at 14:00 hrs today (Wednesday) and following a medical examination which has declared him fit to compete, we have agreed under our existing rules that assuming he makes the qualification time, he will run in the 200m semi-final round this evening,” the IAAF said in a statement.
The IAAF may be trying to make amends for their previous decision, but the organization will still feel the heat for how this is all playing out.
FIFA: we're the most embarrassing international governing body around.
IAAF: Hold my beer…#London2017 #MakwalaDrama
— Siân Davies (@siand85) August 9, 2017
If Makwala, the All-Africa Games champion, has his way, he will get to advance to the finals of this event and rub it in the face of the IAAF all the way home.
