In the world of sports, the spotlight often shines brightest on the victorious, the remarkable, and the record-breakers. Yet, for Black and African athletes, the narrative can sometimes be painted in shades that perpetuate stereotypes and hinder the celebration of their hard-earned achievements. This dichotomy came to the forefront when Tobi Amusan, a globally celebrated hurdle champion, boldly confronted an Irish journalist’s question during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Amusan’s journey to victory had its share of hurdles before she even stepped onto the track. The athlete had faced a provisional suspension for missing three drug tests but was subsequently cleared before the competition. She entered the women’s 100-metre hurdle heats with determination and emerged triumphant by defending her title, clocking an impressive 12.49 seconds in Heat 5.
