An athlete representing Tamil Nadu was forced to run the 400m hurdles solo on Saturday morning after officials made a blunder during her heat. The controversial incident took place on Friday during the women's 400m hurdles at the National Inter-State Championships, which also serves as an Asian Games qualifier.
Tamil Nadu Harshitha was made to suffer after a blunder from the officials. (X)
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Harshitha clocked an impressive personal best of 1:01:03, coming third in her heat, and her qualification to the final was initially confirmed. But later, it was found that the fifth hurdle in her lane was missing, and she had crossed over to clear it in Lane 7. She was placed in Lane 8.
Initially, the officials disqualified her, but after a verbal protest, the Athletics Federation of India allowed her to run another race on Saturday morning, provided she ran under 1:02:00 to qualify for the final. It was her third race in less than 48 hours, with hardly any time for recovery in between.
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World Athletics Competition Rule 18.7 says: "If, in the opinion of the appropriate Referee, circumstances arise at any competition such that justice demands that any event or any part of an event should be contested again, they shall have authority to declare the event or any part of an event void and that it shall be held again, either on the same day or on some future occasion, as they shall decide."
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World Athletics Competition Rule 18.7 says: "If, in the opinion of the appropriate Referee, circumstances arise at any competition such that justice demands that any event or any part of an event should be contested again, they shall have authority to declare the event or any part of an event void and that it shall be held again, either on the same day or on some future occasion, as they shall decide."
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Meanwhile, she was the one who filed the complaint after her race, pointing out that the fifth hurdle was missing.
The temperature in Bhubaneshwar at the time of her rerun on Saturday morning was in the mid-30s with high humidity. The Odisha government had also issued a heat warning. The race was also delayed due to issues with the starter's pistol and photo-finish system.
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Running solo, she tried her best to qualify, but fell short, clocking 1:02:54. "I decided to take it as if I was running a semifinals. I’m looking forward to running in the final," she said.
"Everyone else (in the 400m hurdles) only had to run two races (heats and finals) but I had to run three races. It’s not fair."
She also revealed that she had been initially disqualified for crossing into another lane. But then she pointed out that it wasn't her fault.
"They told me that even if I didn’t have a hurdle in my lane, I was at fault because I crossed lanes. They said I should have continued running in my lane. But all hurdlers have a rhythm. If I missed a hurdle I would have lost my rhythm."
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Others/Tamil Nadu athlete made to suffer after officials' blunder ruins Interstate final hopes, calls it 'unfair'
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