Masalela's case and questions of selective justice

Masalela was disqualified, for what was termed improper conduct after he raised his hand in a gun-like gesture directed at his nearest opponent. The move to disqualify him raises difficult questions about consistency in officiating. Masalela is one of Botswana’s brightest middle-distance talents known for his competitive grit on the track. Yet in a matter of moments, his performance in Poland was overshadowed by a ruling that many argue could have been handled differently.

Disqualifications in athletics are not uncommon. The rulebook exists to preserve fairness and officials are tasked with making rapid decisions under intense scrutiny. In Masalela’s case, however, critics contend that the punishment appeared severe when compared to similar incidents that have drawn only warnings.