'Did it deliberately': Athletics world in shock over 'absolutely bizarre' drama
A mystery injury scuppered Michael Norman's bid for 400m gold at the world athletics championships on Wednesday as the up-and-coming American star crashed out in the semi-finals at the Khalifa Stadium.
The 21-year-old USA sprinter, the fastest man in the world this year over the distance, had been one of the favourites for gold in Doha alongside compatriot Fred Kerley.
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However Norman was always struggling in a heat won by Trinidad's Machel Cedenio, finishing last in seventh place in a time of 45.94.
Norman appeared to be jogging over the final 100 or so metres.
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His time was far off his season and lifetime best of 43.45, which came in April - which was also the fastest time in the world this year.
Fans and commentators couldn’t believe what they’d seen, with American legend Michael Johnson “in shock” in the commentary box.
Many felt like Norman deliberately ran slower than usual.
"It looked like he deliberately jogged this race."
Michael Norman was one of the favourites for the men's 400m title but he finished last in the semi-finals.#bbcathletics #worldathleticschamps pic.twitter.com/qAqzmPCXI9— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 2, 2019
Watching #WorldChampionships2019 on my phone, and was just staring as it seemed like gold-medal fave Michael Norman was jogging in 400M semi. Indicated maybe he over-trainedhttps://t.co/WhZ9akblJl
— shalise manza young (@shalisemyoung) October 2, 2019
That looked really suspicious. One of the strangest races and interview I’ve ever seen. #testhim #WorldAthleticsChampionships
— Martin Priest (@martin_priest85) October 2, 2019
Michael Norman. Pre-event fav for the mens 400m. Pretty much just jogged around his semi-final and came last!
— Richard Wallace 🇬🇧 (@Richard_Wallace) October 2, 2019
Very, very strange. Michael Norman, the world leader in the 400m, finishes dead last in his semi-final.
Injured?
👉 https://t.co/jDzdcADY8u#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/AuFrVA2BqQ— Standard Sport (@standardsport) October 2, 2019
Absolutely bizarre 400m from Michael Norman, doesn’t make any sense. If your body is giving off warning signs, you wouldn’t run the whole 400, you’d either stop, or not run at all. Very dodgy #WorldAthleticsChampionships
— Marc (@MarcWilcox81) October 2, 2019
Stunner in Doha. Michael Norman, fastest in the world this year in the 400m, eliminated in the semifinals.
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) October 2, 2019
What happened to Michael Norman?
— R.I.P, Twayne Crooks (@Fxvk_Khxlil) October 2, 2019
What the heck was that... why did Michael Norman just do that
— CHOUP THE CREATOR (@brendonchoup) October 2, 2019
Norman blames injury
Afterwards, Norman revealed he had been troubled by a niggling injury in the "lower half" of his body for the past two months.
He declined to elaborate on the precise nature of the injury.
"I came into the race with the mentality of going out there," Norman. "But my body gave me warning signs today and I listened to them and made the executive choice to slow down instead of risking injury.
"It's real disappointing to come out here after 330 days of training and not even make the final, not even look good in the semi."
Norman said he had been managing the problem since it first flared up with the help of his trainer.
"We've been taking it day by day, step by step, breath by breath, moment by moment," he said.
"I've always approached each new challenge as it presented itself. Today my body got the best of me.
"It's disappointing but I just have to take this performance for what it is, and be a better athlete for next year."
With Norman injured, the USA's hopes of completing a 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m sweep now rest with Kerley, who won his heat in 44.25sec.
Kerley can face a strong challenge from the Bahamas' Steven Gardiner, who won his heat in 44.13sec, the quickest time of the semi-finals.
Grenada's Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champion, qualified for Friday's final with the second quickest time of 44.23sec.
Fred Kerley will carry the USA's hopes of a sprinting sweep into the 400m final after Michael Norman exited in the semis
