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A Somali runner’s impossibly slow race time in the FISU 2023 World University Games is causing quite the stir on social media. Viewers watched a clip of the untrained runner’s performance which showed how most non-athletes would perform against the world’s best.
Sports fans are now wondering why the racer was included in the event as they post reactions online.
Nasra Ali Abukar represented her country in the FISU Games, an international multi-sport competition being held in China for university sports stars. In this particular 100m race, Abukar finished 10 seconds behind her opponents nearly doubling the run times of the leaders.
At 21.81 seconds, she ranked dead last come race’s end. The winner clocked in at 11.4 seconds.
You could tell she wouldn’t be a factor in the competition from the starting gun as she fell lengths behind her fellow runners.
The distance only grew from there.
Ever wondered what a normal person would look like in a 100 meter sprint on the world stage?
Well the President of the Somali Athletics Foundation sent his niece to the World University Games this year. And let’s just say she want very fast. pic.twitter.com/2XFVEFZhc6
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 2, 2023
Why was the Somali runner included in the race?
Rumors have surfaced online saying that nepotism is the reason for Abukar’s inclusion in the event. She is reportedly the niece of the Somali Athletics Federation President.
Her subpar results sparked an instant reaction from viewers online. Many on social media criticized the runner’s participation in the competition.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down,” one viral post read. “It’s disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running?”
The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down. It’s disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running? It’s truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally. pic.twitter.com/vMkBUA5JSL
— Elham Garaad ✍︎ (@EGaraad_) August 1, 2023
“Somali runner no.3 is what happens to the economy when incompetent people are given influential positions just because they have connections,” another tweet said.
Somali runner no.3 is what happens to the economy when incompetent people are given influential positions just because they have connections. pic.twitter.com/x2ugcAI8fN
— Kenyan Business (@BusinessIntelKE) August 2, 2023
The Somali Athletics Federation has reportedly vowed to investigate Abukar’s inclusion in the race.