THE BALL – Are you 16 years old? The age of controversy at the U20 World Championship (Athletics)

Won the bronze medal in the 5,000-meter U20 World Championship in Tampere, Finland, but Girmawit Gebrzihair became the protagonist when someone noticed his BI – 16 years old. The physical picture does not seem to respond to this age.

The date of birth – November 21, 2001 – is registered with the International Federation of Athletics (IAAF), but the athlete seems to be much older. The IAAF itself is defeated, including its verification mechanisms, which are mandatory, but which at this stage will not have such strict controls.

However, the problem may be much deeper, being the conditions under which these athletes in Africa, especially in Ethiopia, are in question. That is to say: what for a common West is or seems to be 16 years old, in this universe the marks of this age can be manifested in another way.

His record at the IAAF has official records since last year, including two events in Ethiopia: one at Addis Abebba 10km in 32m33s with 14 years old, in 2017 (a quick time for somebody). one so young) and another in May in Assela, in a test of 3000 meters, with the mark of 9m28.44.

The time spent in Tempere two days ago is 15m35: 01 behind Kenyan Beatrice Chebet and fellow countryman Ejgayehu Taye.