Emeka Enechi
4 July 2008
Abuja — Given the spate of criticism that trailed the inclusion of Nigeria's top athlete in Wednesday's grand finale in the male 100 metres event at the on going Exxon Mobile Olympics Trials in Abuja, Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Sunday Bada said it was a natural and normal thing that happens in athletics the world over.
Bada explained that Aliu was simply given what is described in athletics parlance as 'fair start' given the fact that he tripped from the starting block when the gun went off. He was apparently left behind by other athletes whom he said followed the gun.
"There was no foul play as some spectators suspected. What the technical committee did was the right thing. It happens across the world and there was no scuttling of existing rules," he said.
Throwing more light into the drama of Aliu's inclusion in the semi final stage, the director said, the sprinter's inclusion did not jeopardize other contestants chances of qualifying. He also said the team was lucky that the Abuja Stadium had more than eight lanes which he said did not disrupt the arrangement nor denied other sprinters the opportunity of participation.
His words: "We were lucky that the facility here at the Abuja stadium is of international standard. We have more than eight lanes. Since we had the issue, we put him on lane nine which did not disrupt our programme. It didn't also affect the chances of other athletes."
Aliu eventually placed second in the semi final to pick a slot in the final where he eventually crashed.
Speaking to our correspondent after the explosive race, Aliu congratulated the winners and wished them at the forth coming games in China.
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