Spencer’s disqualification from 400H upheld after appeal
MOSCOW, Russia — Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer’s appeal against her disqualification in the first round of the women’s 400m hurdles has been upheld after an appeal by the Jamaican management team was thrown out at the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia Tuesday morning.
Team media liaison officer Dennis Gordon confirmed with the Jamaica Observer that their appeal was overturned based on the evidence provided.
Spencer won the first heat in the 400m hurdles in a season best 54.10 seconds but was later disqualified for breaching rule 168.7 (a) which states- foot or leg is, at the instant of clearance, beside the hurdle (on either side), below the horizontal plane of the top of any hurdle.
A release from the IAAF said:
An incident occurred in Heat 1 of the Women’s 400m Hurdles where Jamaican athlete Kaliese SPENCER (bib number 524) who crossed the line in first position but was disqualified under rule 168.7 (trailing leg).
Video evidence was examined, the Jamaican Team not satisfied, and filed an Appeal to the Jury.
The Jury of Appeal met and rejected the Jamaican appeal.
The result stands.
This is not the first time the athlete has been affected by this rule and she was disqualified at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Birmingham last year but was reinstated after an appeal by MVP president Bruce James who was on hand.
-Paul Reid