Cardiff's Jeremiah Azu disqualified from 100m sprint heats for a false start

He remained on the track discussing the decision with officials before the heat, won by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in 10.00, began without him. Credit: PA

Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu was disqualified for a false start in the first of the men’s 100m heats at the Stade de France.

Azu, the 2022 European bronze medallist, was making his Olympic debut in Paris after in May becoming the first Welshman to run sub 10 seconds in 100m.

He's the only Welsh athlete involved in the track and field events.

He remained on the track discussing the decision with officials before the heat, won by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in 10.00, began without him.

Mozambique's Steven Sabino was also disqualified for a false start.

Speaking to reporters before his appeal was dismissed, Azu said: “I just reacted to a sound. The fans in there are super excited towards the Olympic Games and I heard something and I just reacted.

“I asked to run under protest because I’m sure if we would have put a protest in it would go through.

“They said no, you have get off the track, put the protest in and then I would have to come back and run by myself.”

In the end, it did not matter as the appeal was dismissed.

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