On Monday night in Rio, Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas won gold in the 400 metres, beating runner up Allyson Felix by 0.07 seconds.
But in the hours since, there has been widespread public outcry about the fairness of her win.
The issue is that Miller didn’t exactly cross the line first.
Instead, she dove (or fell, according to some sources) across the finish line. In real time, it looked like her US competitor had won, as her whole (upright) body definitely crossed the finish line before Miller. But, when the official ruling came through, Miller was declared the winner.
According to The International Association of Athletic Federations rulebook, the fact that Miller’s chest crossed the finish line first, earned her a gold medal. The official guidelines state:
“The athletes shall be placed in the order in which any part of their bodies (i.e. torso, as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet) reached the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line” (Rule 164, IAAF Rules 2006-2007).
Who knew there were so many rules?
The crowd reacted to the controversial win with humour and surprise, and already, Miller’s dramatic dive has become an online sensation.
But it wasn’t long before people started questioning the legitimacy of her gold medal. “Idk how this is legal,” wrote one Twitter user, while another said “I don’t like it lol. Seems like a cheap ass way to win.”
Others claimed the move was “lame,” while others still said “a runner should only win if they are standing up!”
The online backlash was swift and harsh.
So, what do you think? Poor sportsmanship or a clever tactic? Or, alternatively, an accidental fall?
I'm firmly of the opinion that the public reaction would be very different had the runner up not been from the US. Something tells me Americans aren't a fan of losing...
Top Comments
People clearly don't understand running if they think she did this deliberately!
Watch the video people - I mean properly watch her carefully... down the 100m stretch you can see her knees are getting lower & her stride shorter - It's very subtle but it's a definite change in her gait which shows how tired she is, you can also see it on her face
Watch her feet as she fell & her knee smashing into the ground. Not only that do you really think she would risk the gold by gearing up to jump? That makes no sense & would actually take more time that that extra step over the line.
Also it's ALWAYS been chest first, that's why people who stumble over the line head first often lose and usually they run across the line poking their chest out as far as they can
I couldn't care less if they change the rules going forward but that would make a lot of grey area for those who stumble etc too. also, in this instance - she won fair & square!
I think the rules should be changed. I don't believe a "dive" should be a win. You should at least be on your feet when you're on the finish line.