Why France did not file an appeal after Fabrisio Saidy fell in the 4x400m relay final

The French relay runner appeared to have been pushed aside by the arm of the South African competitor. But he had just dropped back too early into the inside lane, hindering his competitors, admitted the high performance director of the French athletics federation.

Disappointment for the French. The 4×400 relay finished ninth and last in the final, Saturday August 10, after Fabrisio Saïdy fell. The blue relay runner collapsed in the last bend, while he was being followed by the South African Antonie Matthys Nortje.

Enough to provoke the anger of many spectators, then their incomprehension, because the Blues did not even file an appeal after the race. At real speed, however, the South African rider seems to have caused Fabrisio Saïdy to fall with a gesture of his arm.

The French camp, which reviewed the images on a screen, found nothing to complain about. Because the Frenchman, in reality, was at fault: he had fallen back too early into the inside corridor, hindering his competitors, starting with Antonie Matthys Nortje. “He falls back on his legs”summarizes Romain Barras, director of high performance for the French athletics federation, interviewed by The Parisian. It’s unfortunate, but we are not within our rights. The jury’s decision is the right one, it is attested by all the cameras in the stadium.”

Antonie Matthys Nortje also reacted to the same French daily, showing a trace of blood on his leg. Without completely hiding his anger. “The movement that [Fabrisio Saïdy] fact was a great lack of respect towards me and the Belgian athletesaid the South African runner. I understand what he wanted (…) but I think he fell back to the rope too early in front of us. He touched my knee. I’m sure he understands what I had to do.” Namely, an authoritative arm movement to push away the intruder.

An appeal by the French clan would probably have had no chance of success. Fabrisio Saïdy himself acknowledged having “shit”always near the Parisian.I only had one idea in mind, to get back in front, to be able to recover in the bend and restart like a madman in the final straight to catch up with the Englishman as much as possible.”he justified.

“Maybe I gave in a little too early, it was quite violent. I was greedy.”

Fabrisio Saïdy, French 4x400m relay runner

to the “Parisian”

After his heavy fall, Fabrisio Saïdy still got up to cross the finish line of this event narrowly won by the United States (2’54″43), ahead of Botswana (2’54″53) and Great Britain (2’55″83). The Blues were not even able to compete for a place on the podium, while French athletics is struggling: Cyréna Samba-Mayela, with silver in the 100m hurdles, is the only one to have won an award.