ADAM Gemili was yesterday left baffled after he was disqualified in the 100 metres final at the Diamond League in Birmingham.
Part of the 4x100m relay squad which became world champions last week, Gemili false started and was given a red card at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
CJ Ujah went on to win 10.08 seconds ahead of an all-British field with James Dasaolu and Zharnel Hughes second and third respectively. Gemili could not understand what happened but will run in the next Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t feel like I false started,” he said. “It’s the first time in my career that’s ever happened to me. I know I’m in great shape, but I haven’t had an individual race since the World Championships to prove it.
“This was a great chance – the crowd is here and the track is amazing. I just feel like I’ve let so many people down. It’s just absolutely gutting. I don’t have any words to say. I know it’s only the Grand Prix – it’s not the World Champs, but it feels the same for me.
“This was my redemption race to show everyone that I am in good shape and back running fast. I just want to say sorry.”
Ujah also became a relay world champion with Gemili in London last week and is targeting a sub-10 second race in Zurich with his personal best 9.96secs. “I’d be happy with around 10 seconds flat, or under 10 seconds, I think that’s what’s going to win it,” he said. “But I can’t look for times, when the field is fast you have to focus on winning.
“Zurich is key, I’ve had a consistent season in the Diamond League so I’d like to end on a high. I’m going to try to cap it with a win.”
Jake Wightman won the men’s mile, beating Chris O’Hare into second, having only made the semi-final of the 1500m at the World Championships this month.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here