Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, hailed as Africa’s fastest woman, has publicly expressed her dismay over the treatment she and her team have received at the Africa Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
The Ivorian sprinter, a prominent figure in African athletics, took to social media to voice her frustrations about what she perceived as discriminatory and disorganised travel arrangements that marred her experience at the continental event.
Ta Lou-Smith, a four-time African champion, highlighted the chaotic nature of the transportation provided for the athletes. In a series of tweets, she described the ordeal of having to hire a taxi to reach the stadium, while other athletes enjoyed the security of police escorts.
“My team had to take a yango (taxi) to go to the stadium because the transportation sucks,” she wrote, sharing her profound disappointment. “I am hurt and disappointed. There is so much I wanted to say about the organization of the African championship.”
Her frustration stemmed from the stark contrast in the treatment of different teams. Ta Lou-Smith lamented the lack of equal support and facilities, noting her expectations of a better-organized event in Cameroon were shattered.
“Coming here I had so much expectation! So much!!! If we want things to change, we need to do better. We have now some high-level athletes,” she stated, emphasizing the need for improved standards and fairness in the organization of such events.
The sprinter’s social media posts vividly captured her emotional state, with one tweet particularly reflecting her anguish: “I want to cry because why? And on top of that, we on the taxi we see another African team with a police escort.
Like why not do it for everybody?” This incident not only highlighted the logistical challenges faced by athletes but also brought to light the underlying issues of inequality and mismanagement that have plagued the African Championships.
This isn’t the first time the continental event has been criticized for poor organization. Previous editions have also faced similar complaints, but Ta Lou-Smith’s outburst has reignited the conversation around the need for better planning and execution to support the athletes who represent the pinnacle of African sports.
Despite the setbacks, Ta Lou-Smith remains a formidable competitor. Recently, she clocked a season’s best of 22.36 seconds to finish second in the 200 meters at the Oslo Diamond League.
She also posted a time of 11.05 seconds in the 100 meters at the Prefontaine Classic, part of the Eugene Diamond League, where she finished sixth. In the Stockholm Diamond League, she managed a second-place finish in the 100 meters with a time of 11.16 seconds, despite battling a leg injury.
The 35-year-old sprinter has vowed to work closely with her coach to address her injury and improve her performance.
As she competes in her fifth appearance at the African Championships, Ta Lou-Smith’s outcry underscores the urgent need for a reevaluation of how the event is organized.
Her experience serves as a stark reminder that the success of such championships hinges not only on the athletes’ performances but also on the quality of support and infrastructure provided to them.
For Ta Lou-Smith and her fellow athletes, equitable treatment and efficient organization are paramount to their success and the overall integrity of the championships.
Photo: X
