Decorated American athlete Maurice Greene is asking officials to look into reinstating a 16-year-old high school sprinter who was disqualified because she mimicked his iconic fire extinguisher celebration after she won a race.
Per KSBW, North Salinas High School sprinter Clara Adams’ celebratory mood quickly changed after she won the 400-meter state final as she was disqualified from the CIF State Championships because of the way she reacted when she crossed the finish line.
“I worked so hard for that title,” a teary and emotional Clara said about being disqualified for the way she celebrated. In the video of what unfolded, Clara, after crossing the finish line, is seen spraying her spikes with a fire extinguisher to celebrate her victory. The fire extinguisher was handed to her by her father, who also serves as her coach.
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Though her celebration was met with a welcoming response from the CIF booth as well as spectators, CIF officials ultimately decided to disqualify her after determining that her behavior was unsportsmanlike.
“When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone,” Clara’s father, David Adams, said. “That was our moment of celebration, and CIF officials made it about them. The crowd went crazy, they loved it, the CIF booth went crazy, they loved it. But those few guys in those jackets took offense to it, didn’t like it, and made a decision based off emotions.”
Greene, who popularized that celebration, also shared his views about the incident and asked officials to look into reinstating Clara. “When I heard, cause it happened, and then people just started calling me ‘This girl who just ran the 400 did your celebration’ I was like huh? What?” Greene, 50, said. “If it was away from everyone and not interfering with anyone, I would say reinstate her.”
Besides being disqualified, Clara’s father came under scrutiny after he scaled over a railing to access the track when his daughter won the race. But he told KSBW that his reaction stemmed from how the CIF officials treated his daughter.
Clara would have held the title as the state’s fastest 400-meter sprinter, but it is unclear if the CIF will have a change of mind. However, being reinstated won’t turn back the hands of time as she was denied the opportunity to receive her medal at the event.
