Mozambique sprinter Steven Sabino had a disappointing start to his Olympic debut in Paris when he was disqualified for a false start in the men’s 100-meter prelim. The 18-year-old athlete’s dream of competing in the Summer Olympics was cut short after he made a critical mistake on the track at the Stade de France. Sabino reacted in confusion when he was disqualified, explaining that he thought he heard the starting gun for a different event. Despite his plea to the officials, he was unable to overturn the decision.
Sabino had qualified for the Olympics with a wildcard entry and had previously won a silver medal at the 2023 African U18 Championship. He had also set a national record in the men’s 100-meter sprint earlier in the year. Despite the setback, Sabino expressed gratitude to his family for their support and dedication to his athletic career.
The false start rule was enforced strictly at the Olympics, as another sprinter, Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, was also disqualified for a similar violation in his 100m preliminary heat. Sabino’s experience serves as a reminder of the high stakes and pressure faced by athletes competing at the elite level of the Olympics.
