Somali disgrace: The slowest-ever runner is a symbol of corruption and nepotism - and a worldwide joke

A young woman skipped over the finish line in the women's 100-metre race at the 31st Summer World University Games in China 21 seconds after the start. Usually, it would be considered nothing but a terrible sprint - but when the woman hails from Somalia, there is much more in the story. And when such a run becomes a viral clip on social media - the story becomes genuinely mental.

Poor decisions? Nepotism? Corruption? Incompetence? Ridiculousness? Shame? Allegations? All of the above!

Local media have identified the Somali woman as Nasra Abukar Ali, who completed the race in 21 seconds. This is reportedly the "slowest ever" 100-metre time recorded by a female athlete from that country.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Somalia is under heavy criticism due to a viral video circulating on social media. Numerous users are questioning the decision to send an athlete who is allegedly untrained to a high-profile event. There are claims that the so-called runner, reportedly the niece of Somali Athletics President Abdullahi Ahmed Tarabi, was included in the team due to nepotism. The ministry is already under several allegations of financial irregularities. The last thing they needed was to become a worldwide subject of ridicule.

The Facebook post which revealed the link between the runner and the Chairperson of the Somali Athletics Federation

Elham Garaad, whose post on Twitter went viral with the video, questioned the athlete's inclusion in the competition.

"The Ministry of Youth and Sports should step down. It's disheartening to witness such an incompetent government. How could they select an untrained girl to represent Somalia in running? It's truly shocking and reflects poorly on our country internationally."

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Somali Sports Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud has "firmly committed" to addressing the situation. He has promised to punish those responsible for the "misrepresentation and embarrassment" of the nation. The controversy surrounding Abukar and allegations of favouritism due to a potential familial connection to Khadija Aden Dahir, the Chairperson of the Somali Athletics Federation, has caused quite a stir on social media. A Facebook post in which Dahir congratulated Abukar on her surfaced, putting people on Twitter in a frenzy. The truth seems pretty obvious - but let's see if the authorities in Somalia can "discover" it.