ISAAC MAKWALA is through to the 200m final at the World Athletics Championships after getting through the semis – and a SOLO time trial.
The Botswana athlete was prevented from running in Monday’s heats because he had been hit by the norovirus outbreak.
Athletics officials had decided not to allow him to compete in a bid to stop the outbreak.
But tonight the 30 year old ran a time of 20.20seconds to take his place in the semi-finals after he came out of the quarantine period at 2pm this afternoon.
He then followed that up by breezing through the semis in second place to book a spot in the final.
A statement from the IAAF before the race read: “The IAAF has received a written request from the Botswanan federation for Isaac Makwala to compete in the 200 metres.
“Following a medical examination which has declared him fit to compete, we have agreed under our existing rules that assuming he makes the qualification time, he will run in the 200m semi-final round this evening.
Makwala needed to run a time of 20.53 to advance to the semi-finals – which he did with ease.
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In incredible scenes at the London Stadium tonight, the star athlete dropped to the track and did several press-ups before crossing the line.
The statement continued: “No athletes already qualified for the semi-final will be adversely affected.”
Makwala, who has become a genuine medal contender on the world stage late in his career, had fallen victim to the virus which swept one of the hotels hosting athletes and their support staff.
Public Health England revealed that 30 athletes and support staff had been affected with two cases confirmed as being the norovirus bug.
Norovirus is often caught through close contact with someone carrying the disease, or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
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