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'It's bullsh*t': Controversy erupts over 'insane' world record at Olympics

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Karsten Warholm (pictured left) jumping a hurdle next to Rai Benjamin (pictured right) during the 400m hurdle final at the Olympics.
World record breaker Karsten Warholm (pictured left) took a dig at his rival Rai Benjamin (pictured right) over the new shoes he was wearing during the 400m hurdle final at the Olympics. (Getty Images)

World record breaker Karsten Warholm has blasted his silver medal rival after his blistering run in one of the greatest ever races in Olympic history.

Norway's Warholm obliterated his own 400m hurdle world record, while American Rai Benjamin pushed him all the way to take silver in 46.17, also half a second inside Kevin Young's 29-year-old record.

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The race, which also saw Brazilian Alison dos Santos take bronze in 46.72, was hailed by many as the greatest Olympics race ever.

But, Warholm has taken a swipe at his rival after finding out he was wearing the new Nike technology 'Air Zoom Victory' running shoes.

The 25-year-old labelled the technology used in the shoe as 'bulls**t' and called for athletes to change their approach to technology.

"I don’t see why you should put anything beneath a sprinting shoe," Warholm said after the race.

"In the middle distance, I can understand it because of the cushioning. If you want cushioning, you can put a mattress there.

"But if you put a trampoline I think it’s bullsh*t, and I think it takes credibility away from our sport."

Critics question Olympics track after record

The new technology being used by the athletes, coupled with a track that has been described as very fast, had some questioning the records being set.

Reuters reported “the new carbon-technology shoes may be contributing to the rash of blazing times being seen in Tokyo”.

However, the report didn't doubt Warholm's ability to break the world record under any circumstances.

Olympic legend and four-time gold medalist Michael Johnson confirmed the technology in the track has been creating a trampoline-like effect for athletes.

While The Times reporter, Matt Lawton, pointed to the track and technology for a number of world records and PBs broken.

Regardless, Benjamin admitted the track was 'very fast', but also defended his place in history after the remarkable race.

“I could wear different shoes and still run fast. No one will do what we just did, I don’t care who you are," he said in response to Warholm.

“Could be Kevin Young, Edwin Moses, respect to those guys, but they cannot run what we just ran just now. It’s a really fast track, it felt good, the conditions were really good.”

Whether or not the new technology and track becomes a talking point in the future, it won't take away from the remarkable spectacle the athletes put forward.

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