Somali runner Nasra Abubakar Ali completed the 100-meter dash in 21.81 seconds at the FISU World University Games in China Tuesday, an embarrassing finish that’s almost double the winning 11.58-second time run by Brazil’s Gabriela Silva Mourão and nearly nine seconds behind the second slowest time of 13.15 seconds by Turkmenistan’s Alsu Habibulina—leading many to ask questions about how a runner, who has never competed in a major event and appears to be untrained, was able to compete on such a large international stage.
An exterior view of the No.2 dining hall at the athletes' village for the 31st FISU Summer World ... [+]
Ali’s performance is the slowest 100-meter dash in the event’s history, according to the Daily Somalia.
The runner appeared confused on how to line up at the starting line and was unable to run fast enough to stay in view of the camera.
Video of the event went viral on social media, sparking both jokes and scorn with blowback so sharp that the country’s Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud issued an apology, saying in Somali, "What happened today was not representative of the Somali people."
Mohamud also launched an investigation into how Ali was selected for the competition and the ministry has reportedly suspended the chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Association, Khadijo Adan for sending Ali to the competition.
A group of disgruntled Somali social media users have unearthed a Facebook post that appears to show Ali is the nephew of Khadija Aden Dahir, the senior vice president of the Somali Athletics Federation, sparking allegations of nepotism.
Somalia and East Africa have a rich running culture and often take home top medals in international competitions.
One disgruntled social media user, Elham Garaad, whose tweet with a video of the race went viral, called it “disheartening to witness such an incompetent government,” adding: “It's truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally.”
While Ali performed poorly, Somalia’s representative in the men’s 1500-meter dash is excelling. Ali Idow Hassan, representing Somalia, finished fourth in his heat with a time of 3:45.45 in the longer distance competition, earning a spot in the finals which is scheduled for Thursday.
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