The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the measurement of Shaili Singh’s fourth attempt in the women’s long jump at the Asian Games.The AFI claims that officials measured the jump from a shorter mark, which cost Shaili a medal.
Shaili finishes fourth
Shaili finished fourth with a best jump of 6.42m on Sunday. India’s Ancy Sojan won silver with 6.53m, while China’s Huang Yingying took gold with 6.55m on her final attempt.The controversy centres on Shaili’s fourth attempt, which was officially measured at 6.41m.According to Shaili’s mentor and legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, the measurement was taken from the wrong mark.“We saw her jump was clearly ahead of the gold-winning mark. Initially, the official near the landing pit pointed to Shaili’s leg mark for the measurement.“But later another official who was standing far behind came and pointed to a mark which was far shorter from board,” Anju told PTI.‘The measurement should have been done’ differentlyAnju said the measurement was ultimately taken from the mark pointed out by the official who was standing farther away from the landing pit.“They took the measurement at the mark pointed by the official who was standing far behind. The measurement should have been done on the mark pointed by the official nearest to the landing pit,” said Anju, who won a long jump bronze in the 2003 World Championships.Shaili also lodged a protest after the attempt, and the officials showed videos of the jump to the Indian team.
Indian team unhappy with video review
Anju said the officials first showed them a front-view video, which the team felt could not establish where Shaili had landed.“We were called after the event, and the officials showed a front view video to us, which does not mean anything. How would you know where Shaili landed from a front view? We demanded a side view video, which they said was not with them.“Later, we made an appeal to the jury. The jury later sent their decision saying that they have looked into the side view videos also, and the earlier decision stands.
AFI to take matter to CAS
Anju, who is also the senior vice president of the AFI, said the federation believes Shaili was denied a medal because of the measurement.“It’s an injustice to Shaili. She could have even won gold if the correct measurement was made. So, we are going to CAS,” Anju, also the senior vice president of the AFI, said.Another AFI top official also confirmed to PTI that the body is moving the Lausanne-based CAS against official decision.
