ISAAC MAKWALA HAS qualified for tonight’s semi-finals of the 200m at the World Athletics Championships in London after a bizarre solo race.
The Botswana sprinter – the fastest man in the world this year – was controversially barred from running in the final of the 400m on Tuesday after he was diagnosed with a stomach complaint the previous day.
As a result, he also missed Monday’s heats for the 200m.
But, the IAAF offered Makwala another chance and arranged a solo time trial.
Needing to run under 20.53 seconds, Makwala also had to put up with a sodden track after relentless rain all day.
Still, he clocked 20.20 and celebrated the achievement with some press-ups.
He’ll now compete in the first semi-final at 8.55pm tonight.
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Kevin Keegan would love it if he won, love it!
@Marks Awarded: delighted for him.. well done sir
I had him each way.
Glad he got his chance.
turning into a shambles of a games.
@Guybrush Threepwood: what else has been a mess?
@Thats Righttt!: A few toilets I’d say
A serious lack of WC athletics articles on here this week. Regardless of the innuendo surrounding it, it is still a major event. Ever so slightly bigger than women’s rugby which is already peppering the site.
Since when are Botswana a force in Athletics?
@SYM-Metal: who said they are? They have a chance of a few medals and Makwala was a definite medal prospect in the 200 meter and 400 meter races, if he was allowed run. He was forced to withdraw from the 400 over this.