A moment of poor sportsmanship cost Tshepiso Masalela a gold medal and a potential national record at the ORLEN Copernicus Cup indoor track and field meet in Torun, Poland, on February 23rd.
Masalela, representing Botswana, crossed the finish line first in the men’s 1500-meter final with a time of 3:32.55, initially claiming victory. Though, his celebration included a gesture deemed inappropriate by race officials. As he finished, Masalela extended his arm in a simulated “shooting” motion directed toward his competitor, French athlete Azzedine Habz.
The gesture was captured by broadcast cameras and immediately drew criticism. Judges disqualified Masalela, citing a violation of World Athletics rules regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and behavior. The ruling stripped him of both the gold medal and the potential to set a fresh Botswana national indoor record for the 1500m.
Azzedine Habz was then awarded the gold medal with a time of 3:32.56, just 0.01 seconds behind Masalela’s initial finish. This result marked a narrow victory for Habz in a tightly contested race.
Masalela, 25, has been a rising star in international competition, having qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men’s 800m and holding multiple Botswana national records in middle-distance events. This race was viewed as a key opportunity for him to continue his success, but his actions ultimately led to a disappointing outcome. The incident serves as a stark reminder to athletes of the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect for opponents, even in the heat of competition. A split-second decision can have lasting consequences on an athlete’s reputation and achievements.
As Yahoo News Taiwan reports, the disqualification highlights the strict enforcement of ethical conduct in elite athletics.
EBC News on Facebook also covered the story, noting a correction regarding the athlete’s nationality as Botswana, not “Pozhana.”
According to Sina Sports, the ruling was based on World Athletics TR7.1, which prohibits offensive, insulting, or damaging behavior towards the reputation of track and field.
