Solomon Islands athlete Sharon Firisua, who competed for her country over the marathon at the last Games, was given wildcard spot in the sprints
In one of the most eye-catching moments from the first day of track and field action at the Paris Olympics, Sharon Firisua – who ran for the Solomon Islands over 26.2 miles in Tokyo – raced in the preliminary round of the 100m.
Firisua finished ninth in a personal best of 14.31 but can only be lauded for her effort, given she is actually a long-distance runner.
The 30-year-old competed for the Solomon Islands in the 5000m at Rio 2016 and then the marathon at Tokyo 2020. She finished 15th and 72nd in those respective races.
Firisua holds the national record in the mile, 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m and marathon.
The reason why Firisua was picked to run over 100m is that she didn’t actually qualify for the Olympic marathon but the Solomon Islands had a spare wildcard spot in the 100m.
Jovita Arunia [R] (Getty)
The Athletic Federation of the Solomon Islands recommended two sprinters take up the coveted wildcard position but the nation’s Olympic officials decided to give it to Firisua.
It meant that the Solomon Islands 100m champion Jovita Arunia, who has a personal best of 13.15 and represented her nation in the 100m at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, missed out.
Arunia also ran a personal best over 60m of 8.19 at this year’s World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
The 22-year-old has now threatened to quite the sport, stating that “I will not compete anymore because of what they did”.
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