Audrey Werro and all her supporters experienced a real emotional lift Thursday afternoon. Favorite for the 800m gold medal at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the Fribourgeoise fell during her semi-final, initially causing her elimination. A few minutes later, European Athletics decided to draft her for the final.
Was this decision correct? European Athletics relied on Article 17.1.1 of the Competition Regulations and Technical Rules of World Athletics, the governing body of world athletics.
The article concerns athletes who are pushed or embarrassed, whose progress has been hindered. “If the jostling or obstruction is considered involuntary or if its cause is not due to an athlete, the Referee may, if he considers that an athlete has been seriously injured, order that the race be held again or that the injured athlete compete in a subsequent round of the event,” states the article.
A light touch that makes you talk
European Athletics therefore estimated that the touch of the Frenchwoman Anaïs Bourgoin’s hand on Audrey Werro’s foot was enough to hinder her progress. This decision, experienced as a relief in Switzerland, is not unanimous internationally.
Many athletics followers are of the opinion that the Fribourgeoise is doing very well with this repechage and that she received a privilege because of her status as the best world performer of the year in the discipline.
For former French athlete Stéphane Diagana, now a consultant for France TV, this decision is difficult to understand because it was an unfortunate incident of racing.
And you, what do you think as the final approaches, which will take place this Friday shortly before 11 p.m.?
According to you,
is the drafting of Audrey Werro justified
?
