Paris 2024: Team GB’s Jeremiah Azu disqualified for false start

Posted : 03 August 2024

Jeremiah Azu's highly anticipated debut in the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics was abruptly cut short due to a false start. Despite meticulous preparations and high expectations, the 23-year-old Welsh sprinter was disqualified from his heat after leaving the blocks 0.07 seconds too early. This marked a disappointing turn of events for Azu, who had been making history as the first Welsh sprinter to compete in the Olympics in 50 years.

Azu, who had finished second in the men’s 100m at the UK Athletics Championships, expressed frustration over the incident. He attributed the false start to the distracting noise from the crowd and concurrent events at the Stade de France. “I’m feeling great so it's a shame,” Azu told Eurosport, noting that the commotion from other events, such as the pole vault, contributed to his premature reaction. He hoped for a resolution and the possibility of running under protest.

For over three minutes, Azu vehemently protested the call, examining the false start replay on a trackside monitor. Despite his objections, the officials remained steadfast in their decision to disqualify him. Azu’s argument that he was reacting to external noises did not sway the officials, who maintained their stance on the disqualification.

It appeared for a brief moment that Azu might be allowed to run under protest, but he was quickly removed from the track. The precise timing of his start—0.07 seconds too early—was deemed a clear violation of the rules, and he was not permitted to compete further.

Eurosport commentator Tim Hutchings remarked on Azu’s situation, expressing that while Azu’s frustration was understandable, the 0.07-second discrepancy was too significant to be considered a minor error. Hutchings suggested that Azu's false start was straightforward and not subject to leniency.

Earlier on the same day, another sprinter, Mozambique's Steven Sabino, was also disqualified for a false start. The women’s 100m heats had seen a few close calls with potential false starts, but only warnings were given, highlighting the strict enforcement of the rules in the men’s race.

Azu's early exit from the competition underscores the pressure and challenges athletes face in high-stakes events. Despite his strong preparations and high hopes, the incident served as a harsh reminder of the precise nature of Olympic competition.

Paris 2024: Team GB’s Jeremiah Azu disqualified for false start

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