Ferdinand Omanyala, the African record holder, has been disqualified from the 100 metres race at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone for a lane infringement.
Omanyala had won the event in a world-leading time of 9.78 seconds, but his disqualification means that Letsile Tebogo of Botswana has been elevated to first place with a time of 9.91 seconds.
According to World Athletics competition rules, performances with a measured wind speed that exceeds +2.0 m/s are considered illegal and cannot be ratified for record purposes.
Although World Athletics had initially announced Omanyala’s performance as a world lead-time on their official Facebook page, they later changed the wording to “a windy 9.78 100m” after the lane infringement was discovered.
Omanyala stepped on the lane on his right while trying to glance at Letsile Tebogo, the home athlete who finished second with a time of 9.91.
Despite leading all the way to win, Omanyala was disqualified for shortening the distance of the race. The top spot has now been awarded to Tebogo, with Kenny Bednarek from the United States taking second place.
Meanwhile, Mary Moraa emerged victorious in the women’s 400 metres, beating Miranda Charlene of South Africa and Candice Mcleod of Jamaica to second and third place respectively.
