Somalia runner controversy, explained: Untrained 100-meter sprinter draws worldwide criticism for slow performance

Kevin Skiver

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Somalia runner controversy, explained: Untrained 100-meter sprinter draws worldwide criticism for slow performance image

International track and field is no stranger to controversy, but isn't often the issue at hand is someone moving too slowly.

A runner at the FISU World University Games representing Somalia in the women's 100-meter race lit a spark this week for running at a pace that can only be described as a stroll.

That runner, Nasro Abukar Ali, has created conversation around Somalia's international athletics vetting process after taking more than 20 seconds to finish a 100-meter race. The time is reportedly the slowest in recorded history.

Ali finished a full 10 seconds behind the winner, Brazil's Gabriel Mourāo. Mourāo finished the race in 11.58 seconds, whereas Ali crossed in 21.81 seconds.

Spectators wondered how Ali even got the opportunity to run the race, with nepotism being the suspected culprit. Some Somalians have spoken out against Ali's participation, wondering how in the world she got an opportunity to race.

MORE: When does Simone Biles compete again?

Here is what to know about Nasro Abukar Ali and her involvement in the World University Games.

Somalia runner video 2023

Ali ran the kind of race that needs to be seen to be believed.

She doesn't look especially comfortable getting into the starting blocks to begin with. Then, the gun goes off, and she is almost immediately out of frame.

A cut then shows her crossing the finish line well after the penultimate runner, with a little skip for good measure.

It was a situation in which Ali clearly didn't belong, and the results bore it out.

Who is Nasro Abukar Ali?

Ali, whose first name has also been spelled Nasra in some reports, is a 20-year-old from Somalia who clearly is untrained as a sprinter.

Her presence at the FISU World University Games puzzled many, including Somalia's university union.

Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Barre Mohamud, who Elham Garaad said should step down in the video posted above, said his ministry was not aware Ali was going to compete, per The Associated Press.

Ali's running led to the ministry requesting national athletics federation chairwoman Khadija Aden Dahir be suspended, as it is suspected Ali is related to Dahir.

Mohamud added: "The Ministry of Youth and Sports firmly declares its intention to pursue legal action against both the chairman of the Athletics Federation of Somalia and individuals responsible for the falsification of the Somali University Sports Association."

“What happened today was not representation of the Somali people," Mohamud said per the Nairobi News. "We apologize to the Somali people."

According to the Nairobi News, Ali released a statement that claimed injury. It read, translated: “Somalis do not deserve to be represented in a running competition, I ran with a sprained leg, but I am criticized."

There is, however, some fairly damning proof of Ali being related to Dahir.

World University Games 100m results

Six people ran in the women's 100m at the University Games. The winner was Gabriela Mourāo out of Brazil, who finished in 11.58 seconds.

Ali, of course, finished last at 21.81 seconds.

Runner Country Time
Gabriela Mourāo Brazil 11.58s
Kwan yi Leung China 11.98s
Ishikawa Yu Japan 12.02s
Sudeshna hanmant Shivankar India 12.02s
Alsu Habibulina Turkey 13.15s
Nasro Abukar Ali Somalia 21.81s

For comparison, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica won gold in the event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with a time of 10.61 seconds. 

What are the World University Games?

The Summer FISU World University Games occur every two years in various cities. This year's edition is taking place in Chengdu, China.

According to their website, the games are a "celebration of international university sports and culture draws many thousands of student-athletes together to compete, making it among the world's largest and most prestigious multi-sport events."

The events occur for 12 days and include 15 sports, with organizers being able to add three sports to the rotation.

FISU is the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire. It is meant to give university students an opportunity to compete, which is why Somalia is facing so much backlash. Ali's participation, in the eyes of those decrying this the most, undermines the spirit of the games. Somalia has a rich history of runners and undoubtedly plenty of others could have participated, yet Ali got the nod.

These games are actually, technically, the 2021 edition, which were postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will close Aug. 8.

Kevin Skiver

Kevin Skiver Photo

Kevin Skiver has been a content producer at Sporting News since 2021. He previously worked at CBS Sports as a trending topics writer, and now writes various pieces on MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and college sports. He enjoys hiking and eating, not necessarily in that order.