‘IT’S SABOTAGE!’
Legend Johnson claims IAAF chiefs help Van Niekerk win
SPRINT legend Michael Johnson sensationally claimed athletics chiefs blocked Wayde van Niekerk’s rival in the 400m final as they wanted the South African superstar to win.
Botswana’s Isaac Makwala was denied access to the London Stadium by the IAAF, the governing body, who claimed he had the symptoms of the contagious norovirus.
“Wayde van Niekerk is an IAAF favourite,” BBC pundit Johnson said of the gold medallist, “And now the only person that was his challenger has been pulled out. Conspiracy theories are going round. Who is behind this?”
Van Niekerk retained his world title in dominant fashion, storming to victory in 43.98 seconds.
The 30-year-old Makwala, who was considered one of the main challengers to gold medallist Van Niekerk, was livid.
“‘They said: “No, you can’t run because you are sick.” I think maybe this is sabotage,” Makwala told ITV.
Van Niekerk was drawn in lane six, Makwala in lane seven, but the Botswanan who posed the greatest threat to the Olympic champion and world record holder was not allowed to run. In fact he was not even allowed in the stadium.
His lane remained empty for the men’s 400m final and for Lord Coe and the IAAF council it amounted to yet another PR disaster.
In fairness to the global governing body, Makwala had been unable to contest the 200m heats the previous day after vomiting in the stadium medical room, the symptoms mirroring the many athletes who have fallen victim here in London to an outbreak of gastroenteritis.
But an IAAF medical representative said the decision to withdraw Makwala had been based on an ‘assumption’ that he had the norovirus because of his symptoms and that appeared to be the cause of some confusion.
Makwala said he was ‘ready to run’ and showed up at the stadium only for officials to block his path.
In the end, he expressed his desperation and disappointment on social media.
“It’s like the whole World is making noise for me. I just want to hear that gun go and I setting off the blocks. Please!” he tweeted.
He also insisted that he was not that sick, had told medical officials as much and had presented a certificate.
“I am heartbroken. I have waited. I feel like it is sabotage. I’m not sure if it is the IAAF or the British. I am feeling good to run.” Agencies