Family of first place track star issue bombshell demand after she was disqualified for 'unsportsmanlike' behaviour
The family of a 16-year-old athlete have made a huge demand after she was disqualified for what officials labelled as 'unsportsmanlike' behaviour.
Clara Adams, a sophomore at North Salinas High School, was competing at the California State high school track and field championships, where she won the 400m.
But her title was stripped from her moments later when the governing body decided her celebrations were disrespectful.
Now, in the latest twist of the ongoing saga, Adams's family are threatening to take legal action against the California Interscholastic Federation.
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In a report by ABC, Adams' attorney Adante Pointer, said the family are "certainly" planning legal action if the CIF do not reverse their decision.
Pointer said: "That was the championship, she would have been the fastest sprinter in the state of California – she is, she won, but she doesn't have the title nor the medal.
"She'll never have that moment."
Why was Adams disqualified?
After she crossed the finish line first in the 400m, Adams ran over to her dad to celebrate the victory.
Her dad David handed her a fire extinguisher, which Clara used to spray her shoes, pretending as though they were on fire.
The celebration was in homage to the great American sprinter Maurice Green, who did the same thing when he won gold at the 2004 Olympics in the 100m.
Although the incident happened away from the other athletes, the officials 'yelled at' Adams.
The CIF then decided the celebration was unsportsmanlike and disqualified her.
After the incident, she spoke to Mercury News: "I don’t know what’s going through my mind right now.
"I’m disappointed and I feel robbed. I am in shock. They (officials) yelled at me and told me, 'We’re not letting you on the podium'. They took my moment away from me."
Her father David also criticised the CIF's decision.
"When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone," he said.
"That was our moment of celebration, and CIF officials made it about them. The crowd went crazy, they loved it, the CIF booth went crazy, they loved it.
"But those few guys in those jackets took offence to it, didn’t like it, and made a decision based off emotions."
Were the CIF correct to disqualify Adams?
According to the CIF's code of conduct, student athletes are not allowed to engage in "taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport."
But a letter from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors supported Adams, arguing that her celebration was not aimed at her competitors and took place away from the track.
James Taylor