After being withdrawn from participating in the 400 metre (m) race at the Tokyo Olympics, Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma will now turn their focus to the 200m race.
The two athletes’ coach Henk Botha confirmed this in an interview with Nampa on Friday, saying he received communication from World Athletics on Thursday that the two athletes will not be allowed to participate in the 400 and 1 600m events, because they allegedly did not meeting the World Athletics eligibility regulations for female classification.
He said the athletes have gone through various tests over in the past few weeks, which showed that both Masilingi and Mboma have high levels of natural testosterone, thus they cannot compete in these races. However, he is waiting for the full report for a more detailed explanation.
“Our athletes went through different types of testing and I was not concerned because I know the girls as they are my athletes. Unfortunately it seems like their testosterone levels are high, but I am not sure yet. But as soon we have the right information we will issue a press release and inform everyone,” said Botha.
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Secretary for Sport and Member of Parliament Martin Johannes in a media statement condemned the withdrawal of Mboma and Masilingi, labelling it as an onslaught on African athletes in general and female African athletes in particular.
“PDM further notes with concern that African women who do not meet the female standard and ‘beauty’ of European women are often subjected to gross treatment and subjugation by the international athletics bodies,” said Martin.
He also urged the Namibian Sports Commission to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sports in terms of rule 61 the Olympic Charter Rules in order to challenge the withdrawal.
The Tokyo Summer Olympics are scheduled to be held from 23 July to 08 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
The two athletes are currently in Bydgoszc in Poland, participating in the Irena Szewinska Memorial event.;
Source: Namibia Press Agency
