Nasra Ali Abukar

Nasra Ali Abukar (Somali: Nasra Abuukar Cali; born September 15, 2004) is a Somali university student known for her participation in the 100-meter race at the XXXI FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, where she came last. Her remarkably poor result and perceived lack of athleticism caused international outrage and accusations of nepotism when she was found out to have family ties with the chair of the Somali Athletics Committee.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Nasra Ali Abukar
Born (2004-09-15) September 15, 2004[1]
Mogadishu, Somalia
Alma materJobkey University[2]
Known forPoor result at the XXXI FISU World University Games (2023)

Background
Asha Adan Dahir, Ali Abukar's aunt

Ali Abukar's mother is Deka Adan Dahir, whose sister Asha Adan Dahir held the position of deputy head of delegation for Somalia at the XXXI FISU World University Games and is also a doctor at Banadir Hospital, while her other sister Khadija Adan Dahir chaired the national athletic committee.[10][11]

On July 26, 2023, during a press release, Ali Abukar stated, "Today, I am very happy to represent Somalia as a runner for the 10 meters [sic]", before heading to the games.[12]

Controversy

Records

In the video of the race, Ali Abukar can be seen lagging behind the rest of the field as the athletes sprint to the finishing line. She ultimately finished the distance in 21.81 seconds, approximately 10 seconds behind the leader's 11.4.[13]

It has been noted that the qualifying standard for the U.S. women's Olympic 100 m team is 11.15 seconds, and the slowest recorded time in the women's 100 m at the 2020 Olympics was 15.26 seconds, which is more than six seconds faster than Ali Abukar's time.[14][15] Some international media sources have claimed that her finish time set a "record for the slowest finish" in the history of women's 100 m. However, due to the lack of historical data, it is not possible to determine whether this is true.[13]

In the scoring system of World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, points are awarded based on performance, with a maximum of 1,400 points for women who finish the 100 m in 10.12 seconds or less. Ali Abukar's time of 21.81 seconds, though slower than the qualifying standard, would still award just 1 point.[14][16]

Reactions

The video of Ali Abukar's performance garnered significant attention and went viral, surpassing 19.8 million views on Twitter. The video's popularity sparked questions and criticism, as many wondered why an athlete without prior racing experience and apparent lack of preparation was selected by the Ministry of Youth and Sport to represent Somalia.[14]

Long-distance runners of Somali descent Mo Farah and Abdi Nageeye expressed outrage and shame at the Ministry of Sports and the Somali Olympic Committee over the selection of an untrained athlete instead of a qualified runner.[17][18]

Questions were raised on social media about the validity of her inclusion in the team, which was claimed to be linked to Ali Abukar being the niece of Somali athletics president Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi and of Khadija Adan Dahir, chair of the athletics committee. This led to allegations of nepotism and financial irregularities,[14] with screenshots being presented indicating that Adan Dahir had congratulated her on joining the team.[16] Adan Dahir told BBC Somali that Ali Abukar had undergone rigorous training to prepare for participation in the last two years. However, Ali Abukar declared that she had only been training for one month.[19]

Aftermath

Response
Senior officials from the Somali Ministry of Sports during the farewell ceremony for their delegation participating in the 31st Summer World University Games

The Somali Athletics Committee issued an apology regarding the contentious selection of the athlete. Somali Minister of Sports Mohamed Barre also apologized over the incident, claiming that his ministry was not aware Ali Abukar had been selected to compete at the games,[20][21] and expressed his concern, stating that it was a "misrepresentation and embarrassment" for the country.[22]

On August 3, 2023, Ali Abukar responded to criticism from fellow nationals labeling her "the worst athlete in international games", stating "Somalis do not deserve to be represented in a running competition; I ran with a sprained leg, […] but I still managed to finish the run."[23][24]

Suspension and investigation

Mohamed Barre vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the selection process that resulted in Ali Abukar being chosen.[22] He later stated that inquiries with the Somali Olympic Committee revealed that Ali Abukar had no background in running or any other sports.[25] On August 2, 2023, The Olympic committee implemented an order by the minister to suspend Khadija Adan Dahir from her position[26] for "abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation".[27][28]

See also

References
  1. "ALI, nasra Abukar — Women's 100m".
  2. "Nasra Abuukar: Maxaa laga yiri gabadhii tartanka oroddada ku mataleysay Soomaaliya?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  3. ""I Saw The Potbelly...": Outrage Over Somali Athlete's 100-Metre "Sprint"". NDTV.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  4. Sampson, Eve (August 2, 2023). "Snail-paced 100-meter dash for Somali runner raises questions". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  5. "Runner at center of controversy after posting 'slowest-ever' 100 m". New York Post. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  6. "Somali, Yarışı Zorla Bitiren Nasra Abukar Ali'nin Görüntüleri Sonrası Soruşturma Başlattı". ajansspor.com (in Turkish). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  7. "Somalian Sprinter Faces Backlash for Questionable Performance at World University Games – Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  8. Mata, William (August 2, 2023). "Outrage after untrained Somali runner enters 100 m sprint in athletics championship". Evening Standard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  9. Smith, Benedict (August 2, 2023). "Watch: Sprinter's 'embarrassing' 100 m prompts government apology". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  10. Hussein (July 26, 2023). "Farewell Ceremony for Somali Athletes at Chinese Embassy". Somali National News Agency. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. SOOLA, Abdinasir. "QOYSKII QARANKA FASHILIYEY". Twitter. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  12. Somali athlete Nasra Ali Abukar headed to 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China with, retrieved August 3, 2023
  13. 聯合新聞網. "成都世大運／百米跑21秒81超慢 索馬利亞女將怎麼參賽的？". 聯合新聞網 (in Chinese). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  14. Brinsford, James (August 2, 2023). "Somalia runner recording painfully slow time in 100 m race sparks outrage". Newsweek. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  15. "'Untrained' runner selected for professional 100 m race and records slowest time ever". LADbible. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  16. "Somalia's Nasra Abukar "breaks the record for the slowest 100 m time", investigation launched". SPORTbible. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  17. "Dhegeyso: Muxuu Cabdi Nageeye ka yiri tartanka oroddada ee guuldarrada ay kasoo gaartay Soomaaliya?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  18. "Mo Farah muxuu ka yirii guuldarradii Soomaaliya kala kulantay tartanka oradka ee Shiinaha? - Somali". BBC News Somali (in Somali). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  19. "Maxaad ka ogtahay orodyahannada Soomaaliya ku matalaya tartanka Shiinaha ka dhacaya?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). July 26, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  20. Dickinson, Marley (August 2, 2023). "Somalia Athletics apologizes for sending untrained athlete to World University Games". Canadian Running Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  21. Lee, Lloyd. "Don't laugh at the Somali sprinter who placed last at the World University Games' 100-meter dash. That could be your time". Insider. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  22. "WATCH: Untrained athlete goes viral for slow time in 100-meter sprint, Somalian sports minister apologizes". CBSSports.com. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  23. Somali athlete claps back after viral video labels her "worst athlete" in international games, retrieved August 4, 2023
  24. "Viral Somali sprinter named 'slowest ever', responds after being criticised". Nairobi News. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  25. "Somali sports minister sorry after 'slowest ever' 100 m runner goes viral". The Guardian. August 2, 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  26. "Guddoomiyaha Xiriirka Ciyaaraha Fudud ee Soomaaliya oo shaqadii laga joojiyey orodkii Nasro awgii – Somali". BBC News Somali (in Somali). Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  27. "Somalia suspends athletics head after runner goes viral in snail-paced 100 m". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  28. "Somalia suspend athletics chair after runner takes 21 seconds to finish 100m". Reuters. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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