While there is plenty of action still to come in this year's World Athletics Championships, we have already witnessed no shortage of excitement in the events in Budapest.
Ciara Mageean was the highlight from an Irish perspective, coming agonisingly close to winning a medal in last night's 1500M final. Rhasidate Adeleke provides another medal hope in tonight's 400M final, with many expecting the Dubliner to announce her arrival on the world stage in dramatic fashion later this evening.
When it comes to international stars who could shine in the coming days, Tobi Amusan is at the top of list. The Nigerian sprinter is the current world, commonwealth, and African champion in the 100M hurdles, having broken the world record in the event during last year's edition of these championships in Eugene.
However, she has also been a the centre of some controversy in recent times due after being handed a provisional suspension due to missing three drugs tests. While that ban would be cleared last week ahead of the World Championships, the athlete still faced questions on the matter yesterday.
Tobi Amusan unhappy with question from Irish journalist
Having cruised through her heat in Budapest yesterday, Tobi Amusan would face the media in the aftermath of the race.
It was here that she was questioned by Irish journalist Cathal Dennehy, who asked about her recent ban and the reasoning behind it. It's fair to say it did not go down well.
Tobi Amusan was not keen to talk about what led to her charge for whereabouts violations pic.twitter.com/KlDIXngrfU
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) August 22, 2023
Journalist: Tobi, just on the point of your fans, I suppose a lot of them would be wondering what led to the charge. Would you be able to clarify the reasons behind that?
Amusan: I'm talking about my fans here and you're talking about charges.
Journalist: I'm talking about the charge in terms of the whereabouts violation. A lot of your fans and the athletics public...
Amusan: Mr Cathal, I am done answering your questions. You have asked the same question like five times now.
Journalist: That's the first time I've asked that question.
Amusan: Thank you.
While Amusan's ban was eventually dismissed, this was a very fair question from Cathal Dennehy.
It may not have gone down well with the athlete, but the journalist was widely praised for the way he approached the matter in the aftermath of the race.
Journalist at work. Good man Mister Cat-Al. https://t.co/Q6B7aBChrg
— Paul Kimmage (@PaulKimmage) August 22, 2023
She'd have expected this question & could've had a response prepared. But this is not about whether it was an appropriate question; it's about making it difficult for journalists to ask these questions. If athletes really care about clean sport they need these q's to be asked. https://t.co/WIktmhZpTN
— Elizabeth Egan (@egansadventures) August 22, 2023
It's a journalist's job to ask probing questions, especially in cases where clarity is not being given by any other source. At the same time, a simple, "I choose not to comment on the matter at this time, in order to focus on defending my title" would have been sufficient here. https://t.co/X7is8UGk9J
— Donald Smith (@dpos_smith) August 22, 2023
An actual pro asking questions respectfully. https://t.co/q2qSNjO2Sl
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) August 22, 2023
Here's a proper journalist asking a proper question. The BBC interview was a joke https://t.co/9IOt2WpDRh
— Conall Ó Fátharta (@ococonuts) August 22, 2023
There is a chance that the controversy surrounding Tobi Amusan is not yet done, with every possibility that an appeal could be launched against the lifting of her ban.
For now, she will be concentrating on winning a second successive World Championship gold. In saying that, this issue is unlikely to disappear from the public consciousness.
SEE ALSO: "Now People Will Fear Me When They See A Wee Tricolour"
