Olympic glory for marathon runner who starts 100 meters
The national champion is completely upset and threatens to retire: Jovita Arunia cannot compete for the Solomon Islands at the Olympic Games. Instead, a marathon runner is nominated for the sprint. There's a whiff of nepotism.
There's no doubt that Sharon Firisua is an Olympic heroine for the Solomon Islands. She debuted in the 5000 meters in Rio in 2016, and in 2021 in Tokyo, she became the first woman from a Pacific island nation to compete in the Olympic marathon. Her grand finale was supposed to be in Paris in 2024, but not in her specialty, the long distance. Instead, it's over the 100 meters. What?
The National Olympic Committee has nominated the 30-year-old, who has never professionally competed in the sprint, for the first round on Friday at the Stade de France - leaving the best sprinter at home. This has raised eyebrows in Oceania, and there are suspicions of nepotism.
"I don't know what went wrong, it's unbelievable," said the Solomon Islands' 100 and 200 meters champion, Jovita Arunia, in disbelief. The 22-year-old would have been the logical choice for the wildcard, which smaller sporting nations receive for certain disciplines at the Olympics - and feels robbed of a historic opportunity. Her frustration is so great that she threatens to retire: "I will not participate in any more competitions because of what they have done."
Moreover, the decision, made behind closed doors, leaves a bitter taste. According to the Australian TV station ABC, insiders suspect that Firisua received the wildcard as a kind of "farewell gift" from the NOC. After she had originally planned to retire last winter, she failed to qualify for the Olympic marathon in Paris. And now she gets to start in the 100 meters.
The National Olympic Committee of the Solomon Islands did not respond to a request for comment. Firisua, however, will indeed have her big moment on Friday morning. How fast she can sprint? Unclear. Even the Olympic organizers cannot name a personal best time for the clear outsider in the starting lists.
The National Olympic Committee's decision to nominate a marathon runner for the sprint event instead of Jovita Arunia, the Athletics national champion, has sparked accusations of nepotism. Despite her threat to retire due to being left out, Sharon Firisua will compete in the 100 meters at the Stade de France.
