Somali runner Nasra Abukar Ali, who recently became the subject of international attention, being named on social media as the “slowest ever”. After a viral video showed her participating in a race, she has responded to the criticism she received. In a statement shared online, Abukar expressed her dismay at being labeled the “worst athlete in history” and defended her representation of her country despite being injured.
Slowest Ever Recorded time in international competitions
The video, which quickly spread on social media, captured the race at a university games competition in Chengdu, China. Nasra Abubakar Ali, representing Somalia, took nearly 22 seconds to complete the 100m race, almost twice as long as the winner. Her time was labeled the “slowest-ever” in international competition, leading to widespread questions about her selection for the event.
Critics have alleged that Abukar’s selection was based on nepotism, as she is said to be the niece of Somali athletics vice-president Khadija Adan Dahir. Many questioned why an unprepared and seemingly unfit athlete was sent to such a major event.
In the video, while other female athletes gear up for the race, Abukar struggles to even take her starting position. As the buzzer rings, she is left far behind, and the other athletes quickly finish the race while she slowly makes her way to the end, even jumping on the track in between.
Concerns Raised
Elham Garaad, who posted the viral video on Twitter, criticized the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their handling of the situation and called the government incompetent. The incident has raised concerns about the process of athlete selection and the representation of the Somali people in international competitions.
Somalia’s Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud consequently issued an apology and acknowledged the embarrassment caused by the incident. He stated that the situation was surely not a true representation of the Somali people and vowed to investigate how Abukar was chosen to participate without any previous experience of competing.
Nasra Abukar Ali Responds to Criticisms
Meanwhile, Nasra Abukar Ali herself defended her efforts, stating that Somalis deserve representation in running competitions and that she ran the race with a sprained leg. Despite the criticism, she expressed pride in representing her country on the international stage.
The controversy surrounding the “slowest ever” runner has shed light on the importance of fair and transparent athlete selection processes and has sparked discussions about the role of nepotism in sports representation. As the video continues to circulate online, the sports community is left questioning the factors that led to this moment and how to ensure more equitable opportunities for athletes in the future.
