Slow and steady doesn’t win the race in competitive athletics. Photo: Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Somalia Sports minister humiliated as sprinter’s glacial pace sparks mockery
Somalia’s sports minister has issued a public apology after a viral video of the world’s slowest sprinter surged around the net.
Slow and steady doesn’t win the race in competitive athletics. Photo: Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Somalia’s sports minister has issued a public apology after a viral video showed a seemingly untrained Somali sprinter taking part in the World University Games in China.
The athlete, Nasra Abukar Ali has quickly become a meme after her shocking but simultaneously hilarious performance.
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Somalia humiliated as world’s slowest sprinter is revealed
However, the government of Somalia doesn’t appear to be laughing as the showing heaps shame on not only the responsible federation but also the entire nation.
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While the nations sports minister has issued an apology and promised an investigation the Somalia Olympic Committee has been ordered to suspend national athletics federation chairwoman Khadija Aden Dahir amid allegations that Nasra Abukar is related to the official.
“What happened today was not representation of the Somali people… we apologise to the Somali people,” he said.
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Heads will roll
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The student games are being held in Chengdu, and 20-year-old Nasra Abukar Ali was competing in the women’s 100-meter sprint. Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Barre Mohamud stated that his government is unaware of how the young ‘athlete’ got chosen for the team.
The university union in Somalia said that no runners had been sent to China as members of a legitimate Somali squad.
Nasra Abukar’s agonisingly slow sprint was captured on video thanks to a live television broadcast and has quickly circulated on social media. Mohamud stated the performance was embarrassing for Somalia.
Nasra Abukar finished around 10 seconds behind the winner of her qualifying race after being promptly passed by the other competitors. However, when she reached the finish line in last place, she gave a joyful little skip in the air.
Somali woman face considerable barriers to the participation in sport but few are accepting that as an excuse for this display.
“It’s disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running?” wrote one social media user, Elham Garaad. “It’s truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally.”
