World Championships: Isaac Makwala withdrawal decision defended by IAAF

Athletics’ governing body has defended its decision to deny a World Championship medal favourite entry to London Stadium amid attempts to control a “very virulent” norovirus outbreak.

Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, 30, had hoped to run in Tuesday’s 400m final, but was barred from competing.

His country’s Olympic boss, Falcon Sedimo, said that was “disturbing”.

But the IAAF said it was under instruction to quarantine athletes who showed symptoms of the virus.

It acknowledged Makwala’s absence was “a sad case” but said its medical staff examined the athlete and notes taken by a doctor showed he had been vomiting over an 18-hour period.

Pam Venning, head of medical at the IAAF, told “I have to trust my doctors. My role is to ensure the healthcare of all the athletes here and it’s a very infectious and very virulent disease.”

In a later statement, the governing body said: “The team doctor, team leader and team physio had been informed following the medical examination that the athlete should be quarantined for 48 hours and would therefore be missing the 400m final on Tuesday.”

Venning said “all the other teams” with affected athletes had adhered to IAAF instructions.

Makwala had been considered the main threat to Olympic champion and world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, who retained his world title by winning Tuesday’s race.

The Botswanan earlier told that he would be “devastated” to miss out as he was fit to race – having already been withdrawn from Monday’s 200m heats.

But when he attempted to pass through the athletes’ entrance to the stadium, an official and security personnel prevented him doing so.

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