An American sprinter endured a rollercoaster of emotions at the World Athletics Championship – after winning his race before being disqualified and then reinstated.
In the final of the 400 meters hurdles, Rai Benjamin, 28, crossed the line in first place on Friday afternoon after recording his best time of 46.52 seconds.
After crossing the line – ahead of Brazil’s Alison dos Santos and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba – the US star placed a golden crown on his head as he soaked in the moment.
However, it all came crashing down just moments later when word got to him that officials were reviewing the race and would subsequently disqualify him.
The officials had spotted that, as Benjamin leapt over his final hurdle, he dislodged the final barrier for Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel, who was running on an inside lane.
The incident did seem to affect Nathaniel, who slowed his strides in order to adjust, before later finishing fourth.
Rai Benjamin won the final of the 400m hurdles event at the World Athletics Championship – before being disqualified and then reinstated in the space of half an hour
Officials had claimed Benjamin impeded another runner’s progress as he ran the race
The rules state that impeding the progress of another opponent can result in a disqualification and, as a result, that was applied to Benjamin.
Word swiftly made it’s way down to the track and the US star was visibly dejected as he de-crowned himself over the cruel mistake.
However, the United States quickly launched an appeal on the decision and it was announced by World Athletics that Benjamin’s time would stand.
Speaking to NBC afterwards, Benjamin said: ‘We were sitting down by the elimination chairs ironically and Dos Santos said they were reviewing the race and I might be disqualified. I was like ‘wait, how? did I step on the line?’.
‘They said it might have been because of the last hurdle. But when fatigue sets in, those hurdles get really high.
‘I think the issue was just making sure I made an honest attempt to actually clear the hurdle. That was all grit and fighting for my life coming home so that’s what the holdup was about.
‘It feels great, a complete reverse to what happened in 2021 without the world record. I’m happy I came out here and got the job done.
‘I got another major championship individually under my belt so I can sleep well tonight ahead of the 4×400 on Sunday.’
Benjamin placed a crown upon his head after winning the event on Friday afternoon
A host of commentators on the BBC coverage were also left stunned by the ordeal – with many of them siding with Benjamin.
Former British athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill said: ‘For me, that seems completely insane.
‘He hit the barrier, he didn’t hit it on purpose. It didn’t affect the standing of the race at the end of the day. I feel it’s very unfair if he is going to lose his world title.
‘He is fatigued at the end of the race. His leg dislodged the hurdles beside him. The athlete, whose hurdle is affected, still clears the hurdle.
‘For me, it seems very unfair that he would have his title taken away from him for that mistake. The USA will appeal this.
‘Heart-wrenching for him to be celebrating and then to find out that title may be gone.’
