High school track star left heartbroken after being disqualified for this 'unsportsmanlike' celebration.
By JAKE FENNER
A runner competing in the California state high school track and field championships had her title stripped away from her after she celebrated in a way the governing body deemed 'disrespectful'.
Clara Adams, a sophomore at North Salinas High School, was competing in the 400m finals for the state title.
After finishing second in the preliminary heats, she crossed the line in first to take the gold for her own.
Adams celebrated by running over to her father after the race had ended, when he produced a fire extinguisher. She grabbed the extinguisher from her father and sprayed her shoes with it - as if to say that they were on fire, according to the Monterey Herald.
Adams' father, David, told the Herald that this celebration took place away from her competitors and added, 'She wasn't disrespecting anyone.'
But the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) decided that this celebration was unsportsmanlike and stripped Adams' of her championship.
Clara Adams had her state championship taken away for a controversial celebration
Adams (leading) took home the California state championship in the 400m
Adams' father then handed her a fire extinguisher, with which she sprayed her track spikes off the track. The CIF then declared her celebration 'unsportsmanlike' and disqualified her.
Was the runner's celebration disrespectful?
Yes, that's too far
No, she's just happy
Not only that, but she was disqualified from the meet as a whole - denying her the chance to race in a 200-meter event later.
'I don't know what's going through my mind right now,' Clara told the Herald.
'I'm disappointed and I feel robbed. I am in shock. They (officials) yelled at me and told me "we're not letting you on the podium." They took my moment away from me.'
David told the outlet that they were 'on the other side of the wall' from the track: 'We have protested the decision, I feel it was racially motivated.' Adams is Black.
Adams' coach, Alan Green, called it 'a very unfortunate event', adding, 'We are all heartbroken. Clara ran an incredible 400 race and is the fastest 400-meter girl in the state.
'She was trying to have some fun at the finish line after the 400. It was interpreted as unsportsmanlike. What an incredible season and run. It's unfortunate.
Adams crossed the line with a time of 52.24 seconds, just one-hundredth slower than her state-leading time she achieved the week prior.
This came at the same state championship meet where a trans woman athlete was allowed to compete in events.
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez defied Donald Trump's order to compete at the California Interscholastic Federation state finals in Clovis on Saturday
Hernandez claimed tied-first place in the varsity high jump final, forcing female competitors Lelani Laruelle and Jillene Wetteland to share their spot atop the podium
In defiance of Donald Trump and his executive order, AB Hernandez, who identifies as a trans female, claimed gold in the high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation state finals.
The 17-year-old, who was flanked by an entourage of officials as she and her mother were escorted into the stadium, triggered a fresh wave of outrage from protestors and parents as she stormed to victory under a new rule change.
Hernandez claimed tied-first place in the varsity high jump final, sharing the spot atop the podium with female competitors Lelani Laruelle and Jillene Wetteland. The trio cleared the 5' 7" mark to split the gold medal three ways, while Julia Teven to settle for third.
She later wrapped up the night with another first-place finish, this time in the triple jump. She again shared the top spot with Kira Gant Hatcher, who trailed by just over a half-meter.
The CIF had announced a new policy earlier this week in response to backlash surrounding Hernandez's success heading into the championships. Under the change, the federation allowed an additional student to compete and medal in the events where Hernandez qualified, meaning she shared her finish with at least one other competitor in all three events.
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