The Internet can’t stop talking about the 400m runner’s lunge for Olympic gold
Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas won Olympic gold in the women's 400m last night with a finish line lunge. Now, it's a controversial topic.
Shaunae Miller’s late-race maneuver in the women’s 400m on Monday evening at the Rio Olympics has everyone in the running world talking. It appeared that the athlete from the Bahamas dove across the line to out-lean American Allyson Felix.
People were quick to chime in on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook about whether the dive at the line should be legal or not. As it stands, Miller’s finish is completely within the rules. If you watch the video back again (footage can be found lower down on this page), it appears that the lunge across the line may be due to fatigue as lactic acid hits at the end of the one-lap race.
A lunge across the line is not actually that uncommon. It’s just that the stakes were high and that it happened for Olympic gold. Earlier in the night, a Brazilian qualified for the men’s 110m hurdles semifinals with a dive and the crowd went wild. See footage of that here.
Since a runner’s finishing time is based on when their torso crosses the finish line, Miller was able to hold off the charging Felix by 0.07 seconds. Miller, 22, won in 49.44 to Felix’s 49.51 to win her first Olympic gold over the seven-time Olympic medallist.
RELATED: See the full race report on the women’s 400m here.
The Internet was buzzing last night and into this morning about the now-controversial finish. Some are saying that it’s unsportsmanlike while others are emphasizing that the lunge was merely due to late-race fatigue. The lunge has also prompted many to say that a finisher must be on their feet when they cross the line. Others noted that it was a “do anything to win” type measure as she is now an Olympic champion.
It’s not the first time a lunge at the line has happened in a 400m race at the Olympics. American David Neville won bronze at the 2008 Olympics in the 400m with a sprawling effort at the line.
David Neville in 2008 diving over the lane to win Bronze, the Americans were not saying it was cheating then pic.twitter.com/KbxfI0BU7L
— Jan (@janusz_moss) August 16, 2016
Canadian Running posted the following photo to Instagram late Monday. More than 50 people chimed in with their opinion and thoughts on the race.
ESPN correspondent Darren Rovell created a Twitter poll on Monday and, with more than 31,000 votes, there is currently a 53 per cent vote against the use of a dive at the end of a race.
POLL: Do you believe you an Olympian should be able to dive across the finish line in a track race?
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 16, 2016
Video of the finish
Insane finish in the 400m final, with #BAH Shaunae Miller diving for the finish line and taking the #Gold medal https://t.co/QAnyIgfDwn
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 16, 2016
People on Twitter react to Miller’s finish
No matter how you feel about it, gotta admit that's dedication! #400m https://t.co/EdDtMoOwcq
— Michael Tanel (@TanelMichael) August 16, 2016
also, if a dive replaces a foot pushoff, it should definitely not help
— David Epstein (@DavidEpstein) August 16, 2016
There is no penalty or prohibition against diving in track. Simple as that https://t.co/1GBRErJKLl
— Philip Hersh (@olyphil) August 16, 2016
I saw that 110, he dove u say. Didn't think to analyze. The 400 not a deliberate dive if u look at her knees, feet. https://t.co/cSB7FXUa6R
— Perdita Felicien (@perditafelicien) August 16, 2016
@DavidEpstein Might be completely over-thought. She ran a great 300, rigged up and was incredibly lucky to hold on for gold.
— Jeff Dengate (@dengaterade) August 16, 2016
It is the rule that the finish is determined by torso. Doesn't say you have to be standing https://t.co/YQ2uWNKMnf
— Philip Hersh (@olyphil) August 16, 2016
You mean you wouldn’t dive if you could win and rules allow it? Get real. https://t.co/F5dlKgxub7
— Philip Hersh (@olyphil) August 16, 2016
@CanadianRunning it's called running not diving. IOC should ban the dive. Can u imagine all 8 runners diving across the finish line? #smh
— Bleasdale Family (@bleasdalefamily) August 16, 2016
I don't see this as particularly good sportsmanship. Felix deserved it. Boo https://t.co/i4xcw8Yusy
— Nicole Goodbrand (@ngoodbra) August 16, 2016
@CBCOlympics Doesn't seem right to win that way. Should have to finish the race on your feet. The other girl rightly would have beat her
— Meghan Freeborn (@MeghanFreeborn) August 16, 2016
@CBCOlympics shouldn't be legal.
— TRI (@PiaChanel1) August 16, 2016
@CanadianRunning Falls through fatigue is what I meant to say
— Anto7 (@Anto7) August 16, 2016
@Ronan_McGowan if that was indeed the rule I'd agree but there is no such rule about completing race on your feet. https://t.co/9mwhrF4J1h
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) August 16, 2016