Clarke fastest man, women have to wait

The finals of the women's 100 metres sprint, one of the showpiece events in the Games athletics calendar, were mired in controversy and the result of the contest has been withheld pending a jury decision.The first point of contention was the disqualification of English runner Laura Turner after a false start. As per athletics norms, Turner chose to run the race 'under protest' and was allowed to do so by the on ground referee. Beverley Rimmer and Priya Mahindroo report

The finals of the women's 100 metres sprint, one of the showpiece events in the Games athletics calendar, were mired in controversy and the result of the contest has been withheld pending a jury decision.The first point of contention was the disqualification of English runner Laura Turner after a false start. As per athletics norms, Turner chose to run the race 'under protest' and was allowed to do so by the on ground referee.

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When the results were announced, Sally P)earson of Australia was declared the winner. Nigeria's Osayemi Oludamola came in second and Natasha Mayers of
St Vincent and the Grenadines ended third.

Team England however, lodged a protest against Sally Pearson saying that she had reacted one-hundredth of a second before the starter's gun went off.

“Our contention is that along with Turner, Pearson should also be disqualified. That would mean the English runner, Katharine Endacott, who finished fourth, will get the bronze,” Emma Pickles, press attaché with the English athletics team, told HT.

The Athletic Federation of India confirmed that the protest had been lodged, and that the jury would make a decision late on Thursday night, and the final result would be declared first thing in the morning.