‘Amusan deserves apologies over world record hate’

Former American middle-distance runner Kyle Merber asserts that Tobi Amusan is owed apologies for the skepticism surrounding her 2022 women's 100m hurdles world record. Merber's comments come amid a growing belief that the record, set at 12.12 seconds, may soon be broken.

Amusan shattered the previous record of 12.20 seconds, set by Kendra Harrison in 2016, during the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships. Despite her remarkable performance, some prominent figures in athletics, including former sprinter Michael Johnson, questioned the legitimacy of the time. Speculation ranged from new spike technology and track conditions to doping allegations.

However, recent performances, such as American hurdler Masai Russell's 12.14-second run at the Xiamen Diamond League, have shifted the narrative. Many now openly support Russell to break Amusan's record, given her current form. Merber observed that as such fast times become more common, Amusan's world record now appears "very legitimate."

"We should collectively apologise to Tobi Amusan because in 2022, when she ran fast, everyone who was not from Nigeria had an opinion," Merber told the CITIUS MAG Podcast. "Now that these times have become more common over the last few years since the World Championships in Eugene, suddenly that world record seems very legitimate."

Amusan's career has also seen challenges, including a provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missed whereabouts filings ahead of the 2023 World Championships. She was cleared to compete shortly before the event but could not defend her title. Her fastest time since the world record is 12.24 seconds, and she has posted a season's best of 12.28 seconds this year while securing her third African title.

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We should collectively apologise to Tobi Amusan because in 2022, when she ran fast, everyone who was not from Nigeria had an opinion. Now that these times have become more common over the last few years since the World Championships in Eugene, suddenly that world record seems very legitimate.