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Zambians have criticized 400m sprinter Muzala Samukonga despite his strong performance at the Lausanne Diamond League amid a controversial decision
Olympic 400m bronze medalist Muzala Samukonga has faced disrespect and hatred despite a strong performance at the Lausanne Diamond League where he secured second place with an impressive time of 44.06 seconds.
The event, held in Switzerland, saw Samukonga finish just behind Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith who clinched first place with a time of 43.96 seconds.
Despite coming home second, Samukonga's decision to omit the Zambian flag next to his name during his pre-race setup sparked controversy.
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12:54 - 22.08.2024
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The move, seen by many as a protest against the Zambian government's failure to pay bonuses promised for the Paris 2024 Olympics, dominated conversations on Zambian social media platforms leading up to the event.
"I am very happy with my results tonight and I found my race perfect. It felt great to be in Lausanne and to run in front of such an amazing crowd. I can´t explain how truly grateful I am to run low 44 seconds, it´s amazing. I hope to come again in the future!" Samukonga stated in a post-race interview, avoiding the contentious issue that had overshadowed his arrival in Lausanne.
The backlash was not confined to social media with several sports commentators and local sports fans expressing their disapproval of Samukonga's symbolic protest.
They argued that while his grievances might be valid the international stage was not the place for such demonstrations, suggesting it could tarnish Zambia's reputation.
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11:00 - 23.08.2024
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Adding to the complexity of the situation, Samukonga had previously penned a poignant letter addressing the financial struggles faced by Zambian athletes due to unfulfilled promises.
"Despite assurances that daily payments would be made throughout the games, my fellow athletes have returned home without receiving any of the agreed-upon allowances. This situation has caused significant distress and disappointment among us athletes, who have already sacrificed so much to represent our country with pride at the global stage," he wrote on his social media pages.
Samukonga further emphasized the lack of support from the sports administration.
"The dedication and hard work that we put in as athletes deserve to be met with the support and recognition that we were promised.
"The financial allowances were not just an agreed obligation but a necessary support system to ensure that as athletes we could focus solely on our performance without the added burden of financial stress and having something for a start as we get home.
"The failure to fulfill this promise not only damages the morale of athletes but also tarnishes the reputation of the sports administration."
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