The African Athletics Championships, which take place from June 21 to 26 in Douala, Cameroon, represent one of the last chances for African athletes to validate their ticket for the Paris Olympic Games. But barely launched, this 23rd edition is already under fire due to major organizational problems.
Published on: 06/22/2024 – 6:30 p.m.
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From our special correspondents in Douala, Christophe Jousset and Cédric De Oliveira
Late bus to drop off athletes at the stadium, delay of several hours to return to the hotel, dysfunctional starters and lack of alternative solutions… Incidents are already numerous during these African Athletics Championships and several athletes were quick to denounce reception conditions deemed “ unacceptable ».
The Togolese Naomi Akakpo, specialist in the 100 meters hurdles, particularly deplored the image of the African continent reflected internationally during the competition. “ We already have a rotten image… Instead of trying to rise and have good Championships with good organization, by showing that we can have a world level, here we are only comforting those who criticize us. We are disorganized, late and not up to par. Clearly, even the Departmental Championships are better organized than that, it is very disappointing. This does not put the African continent forward », Regretted the 23-year-old athlete.
A last minute change of stadium
This global disorganization was also pointed out by the Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo, African record holder in 200 meters and double medalist in 100 and 200 meters at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. « For the final, we’ll see if I run because I warmed up and in an hour I had time to cool down. What I see is the Olympic Games and not the African Championships. It is my health that is at stake. Call the president of the Federation, so that he can come and help the athletes. If it’s not fixed, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to forfeit “, he said, annoyed at having waited a long time before running his 100-meter series on Friday.
Even before the start of these Championships, the African Athletics Confederation was forced to change stadiums to be able to host the competition, due to delays in the renovation work on the track at the Reunification Stadium. “ However, it was not necessary to cancel the competition, given that another recent stadium exists and was built for the 2021 African Cup of Nations that Cameroon organized, explained Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the president of the body. We accepted the relocation. It is a class 2 track certified by World Athletics. Apart from the spectators who will not have easy access, the athletes can look forward to participating in the competition. »
« An alternative solution may also be satisfactory. We are not yet at the end of the competition. I will decide at the end if there is truly a disappointment because we may also be surprised by the Douala public who will come in large numbers to the Japoma stadium “, he continued. But given the conditions denounced by the athletes, a pleasant surprise already seems very unlikely.
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