OK, let’s review this topic. “Did Mu cut off Hodgkinson? Grounds for DQ?”
1.Well, I think the evidence shows that Athing did move to her left and make things “difficult” for Keely.
2. “Grounds for DQ?” No. Why? because far, far more obvious impeding goes on and the IAAF doesn’t seem interested.
But, other issues were raised in the comments.
3. Did Athing deliberately impede Keely?
4. Athing says she didn’t even know that Keely was even there when she moved to her ( Athing’s )left.
Well, 3 and 4 are clearly linked.
Now is it possible ( looking at the shot on the bend ) that Athing didn’t know Keely was there. It seems highly unlikely.
Now, look at the blow up photo of Athing and Keely, taken just as they were about to enter the finishing straight. Also, take a close look at Athing. What do we think she’s looking at? ( BTW, click on the wording under the photo to see an enlarged version) Well, Keely’s looking down but Athing is looking slightly upwards and seems to be looking into the distance. Again, what could she be looking at? Well, my guess is the huge screen which would be showing the race. And, to back up the “guess”, with some evidence, just approaching the straight is where athletes have a great chance to check out where the opposition are by checking out the big screen. Keely, and Mary and Weltegi aren’t looking at the screen. Why? Because they know exactly where the opposition is.
Circumstantial? Maybe, but it fits the photo evidence.
Now, was Athing being truthful when she said that she didn’t know Keely was there when she moved to her left? No! But, then again would we really expect her to say that she deliberately impeded Keely? No, of course not.
Now, to why Keely didn’t lodge an official complaint or complain in post-race interviews about Athing’s behaviour. Well, as I’ve said, the IAAF ( with their record of turning a blind eye to impeding) wouldn’t be interested, and if Keely had raised the subject in interviews - without head-on footage- it would just seem like a case of her being a poor loser.
Now, unless that head-on footage comes to light, I don’t think that there’s anything more to say on the subject.
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