- Two British athletes were disqualified from the World Triathlon Olympic qualification when they crossed the finish line holding hands, according to the BBC.
- Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown crossed the line in what was initially believed to be a photo finish. Learmonth took first with Taylor-Brown in a very, very close second.
- But both runners were disqualified for breaking a rule which states "athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times has been made, will be disqualified."
Two British athletes were disqualified from the World Triathlon Olympic qualification when they crossed the finish line holding hands, according to the BBC.
Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown crossed the line in what was initially believed to be a photo finish for an Olympics test race, held in Tokyo. Learmonth took first with Taylor-Brown in a very, very close second.
But the women were disqualified because they had finished the race in what the International Triathalon Union called a "deliberate tie." This action was taken in accordance with the ITU's Rule 2.11.f, which states: "Athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times has been made, will be disqualified."
After Learmonth and Taylor-Brown were disqualified, Flora Duffy of Bermuda was elevated from third place to first. Duffy, a two-time world champion, had been out of competition the previous year due to injury, The Guardian reported. Alice Betto of Italy was elevated to second place and Vicky Holland of Britain was elevated to third.
"It's obviously disappointing to have Jess and Georgia disqualified but it's a testament to the depth of our female squad that we still have another athlete on the podium,"Mike Cavendish, British Triathlon National Performance Director said. "What the athletes delivered today has told us a lot ahead of next year and to have five athletes in the top 11 is great."
"I really feel for Jess and Georgia because they raced exceptionally well today and I feel like they absolutely smashed it and deserved the first and second finish," Holland told the BBC.
The race was meant to be a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games, which will be held in Tokyo. Due to extreme heat, officials shortened the running portion of the race from 10 kilometers to 5 kilometers.
"I loved the course, it was great to be back out with the girls again," Duffy said. "I love racing hot and humid conditions and the whole point was to come here and check out the conditions and for me, that felt pretty good out there today."
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