Two Namibian athletes, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, both 18, were banned from taking part in the women’s 400m at the Tokyo Olympics in June this year, due to high testosterone levels.
The two ladies came into spotlight earlier this year after their outstanding performance at the Tokyo’s Olympics preparations in June. Mboma finished the 400m race in 48.54 seconds, which earned her the seventh position (the seventh fastest runner) , while Masilingi finished in 49.53 seconds.
However, according to medical tests that were conducted, the two athlete's testosterone levels (a hormone produced naturally) were above the World’s Athletics mandated limit, which is 5 nanomoles per litre, and this then led to them being banned from taking part in the 400m race at the Olympics.
This caused a spark on social media platforms where people showed their support to the athletes and regarded their withdrawal from the women’s 400m as ‘unfair’. The fact that these are the same rules that affected Caster Semenya in 2016 only added fuel to the fire.
Westair Aviation and FlyWestair stand behind Namibia’s athletics sensations Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, in light of the sad news that they have been withdrawn from the 400 metres for the 2020 Summer Olympics. #LetOurGirlsRun pic.twitter.com/XQOQQRQjvH
— flywestair (@flywestair) July 3, 2021
As if that was not enough, Namibia’s Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) offered the two athletes a sponsorship worth 2 million each for the next three years.
Comments