THE gold medal of swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi in the 100m freestyle of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Nay Pyi Taw has been recalled on Thursday night after a protest by Thailand was upheld by the jury of appeals.
A re-swim of the event will be held Friday night at the Wunna Theikdi Swimming Pool.
Thailand claimed its swimmer in the event heard a second horn that signalled a false start, forcing her to stop. However, the remaining swimmers including Alkhaldi went on with the race.
Alkhaldi, a 20-year-old London Olympian, eventually won the event with a time of 56.65 seconds in beating two Singaporeans - a victory considered as an upset since Singapore is a class in the Southeast Asian region.
National head coach Pinky Brosas was upset at the decision of the jury of appeals.
“That’s poor officiating,” said Brosas, in an interview with DZSR Sports Radio. “What they could have done is put down the 50m flag, which they didn’t.”
Still, Brosas said Alkhaldi will race in the re-swim.
“We have to, for a suggestion of sportsmanship. Wala dapat pikunan kahit masama ang loob natin,” said Brosas, who also said they won’t file their own protest.
“I was adviced not to protest because it will also reap negative results. Sinabihan ako na hindi naman lulusot ‘yung protest natin,” Brosas said.
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