Ekwam eliminated after failing to finish 400 metres heat
Ekwam did not finish the race as he seemed to have pulled a muscle
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has ended too soon for Kenya’s sole representative in the men’s 400 metres, Zablon Ekhal Ekwam.
Running in Heat Six at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, the 27-year old appeared to have started his run well only to suffer what appeared to be hamstring resulting in him pulling out of the race due to injury.
On your birthday, when you're making your Olympic debut, you get an injury. It doesn't get worse than this.
— Elijah Ouko (@elijah_ouko) August 4, 2024
I know you'll come back stronger, Ekwam.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/jeb10NkYGb
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Charlie Dobson of Great Britain won the race with a time of 44.96s. Belgian Alexander Doom clocked 45.01s to finish second. Jevaughn Poweel of Jamaica was third with a time of 45.12s.
As a result of failing to finishing the race, Ekwam’s campaign at his first Olympic Games has come to an end as he is not eligible to feature in the repechage round, a new qualification phase introduced at Paris 2024 for races all races between the 200 metres and the 1 500 metres.
The repechage round gives athletes who do not finish within automatic qualification positions in their heats a second chance to qualify for the final.
However, only athletes who finish their races are eligible to appear in the repechage rounds.
Athletes who do not start their race, or fail to finish their race, or get disqualified do not appear in the repechage round as in Ekwam’s case.
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