Somalia’s Nasra Abukar "breaks the record for the slowest 100m time", investigation launched

There was huge controversy at the FISU World University Games after the athlete chosen to represent Somalia in the 100m event recorded the slowest time in the history of the competition.

A woman named as Nasra Abukar was involved in the 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China, has gone viral for her performance in the race.

Abukar, named as "untrained" athlete with limited running experience, is said to have completed the race in 21.81 seconds - with claims that she set a new "record for the slowest finish".

Prior to the gun signalling, athletes were going through the motions and adopting the correct position to start.

But the 20-year-old's form was level below the rest and that carried into the race itself, where she was quite clearly out of her depth.

While the rest of the pack were quick out of the trapis and sprinting off, Abukar was left far behind and running in slow motion.

Cameras picked her up almost skipping over the finishing line around 10 seconds after winner Gabriela Silva Mourao, who clocked in at 11.58 seconds.

With all due respect, Abukar is evidently not a 100m runner but the decision to let her participate has caused an almighty stir.

It's been claimed that she was only picked because she is the niece of Khadija Aden Dahir, the senior vice president of the Somali Athletics Federation.

As screenshots show, Dahir had already congratulated Abukar on making the sprinting team.

Somalia's Ministry of Sports Minister, Mohamed Barre, has pledged to investigate the selection process which led to Abukar getting the nod.

Reacting to the incident, he said it was "misrepresentation and embarrassment" for Somalia.

Somalia's Ministry of Sports Minister Mohamed Barre pledged to hold those responsible for what he termed as the "misrepresentation and embarrassment" of the country. The controversy intensified amid allegations of favouritism involving Abukar's potential familial connection to… pic.twitter.com/WxXjWWeVQW

— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) August 2, 2023

And the public did not mince their words on social media, widely criticism the decision to have such an unexperienced runner compete on a big stage.

One wrote: "The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down. It's disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. "How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running? It's truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally."

A second said: "Before watching the vid: well how bad could it be.. After watching: holy cr**.."

A third added: "You know how everyone says we need one average human in each Olympic event to really highlight how unreal athletes are? Somalia went ahead and trialed that idea for us and I’m more on board than ever."

A fourth had the same view: "Closer to the dream of having one regular person in every Olympic event to demonstrate just how amazing athletes are."

A fifth weighed in: "I’ve seen nepotism, but this is the wildest I’ve seen my entire life!"

A final user summarised: "I understand this is probably corruption but I think this has hit on exactly what athletics needs. Average person in every event to show the audience how good the actual athletes are."

It's been suggested that Abukar told Chinese reporters she still has "a lot left in the tank" and plans to race again at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

In better news for Somali athletes, 1500m runner Hasan Ali Idoow reached the finals of his event after coming fourth in his heat.

China are currently leading the medal tally with 47, with Korea and Japan following behind.