Zero gun test costs Letsile
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday June 4, 2022 06:00
In rejecting the record, World Athletics (WA) explained that there was no zero gun test performed on the timing equipment. World Athletics also rejected Jamaica’s women’s U20 4x100m relay team record because not all team members were subjected to doping control after the race. The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president-sport development, Tshepo Kelaotswe told Mmegi Sport that ratification is an attempt to apply for the time that the athlete ran to be recognised and for it to be the record.
He said they were aware of what was to be done but it was just an oversight. He added that Letsile took everyone by surprise by clocking 9.96. He said the officials are used to athletes qualifying for competitions and setting national records, and there was no need for a zero gun test. Kelaotswe said normally the alarm to do the zero gun test is carried out when the timing equipment is outsourced and they want to be sure that what they are using is in perfect condition.
He said in this instance, the equipment that was used belonged to BAA. He said that does not mean it should not be tested, emphasising the omission was an oversight. “That is the area where we are denied the world record because something is missing but that does not mean the time is not valid. The only problem is that the exercise should have been done before the event started, which was not done,” he said. Kelaotswe explained that World Athletics had requested that the exercise be done after the race and the starter was expected to produce a report, explaining why the procedure was not carried out before the GIM event. The starter did the zero gun test and submitted the report to World Athletics.
The world athletics governing body was content with the report. Kelaotswe said the record could not be ratified as the timing of the evidence came after the event but it should have been done before the race. “The panel could not agree as a unit, they differed. It remains a world record not in writing and by the way of capturing by World Athletics. It remains his personal best. He will use the same time for the upcoming competitions and it does not mean it is a wasted achievement,” he said. Kelaotswe said they applied for a world record because they wanted to celebrate Tebogo's achievement as a country. Kelaotswe said there is no need for the public to panic. “People think the time is not valid and it is thrown away, that is not the case,” he said.