The World Athletics Championships are quickly being remembered for what is happening off the track.
From Justin Gatlin's boos to the illnesses that are falling upon athletes, the Championships took a farcial turn on Tuesday night when Isaac Makwala was forbidden from entering the stadium.
The sprint star from Botswana had qualified for the 400-metres final, but was not allowed enter the London Stadium to compete in the race due to illness. He missed the heats of the 200-metres on Monday, and was placed in a quarantine that morning.
Exclusive: Isaac Makwala is blocked from the athletes' entrance at the London Stadium. He's being escorted to IAAF office #London2017 pic.twitter.com/c5FjfNxQlG
— Dan Salisbury-Jones (@dsj_itv) August 8, 2017
Makwala was one of the favourites for the title, and was expected to battle South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk in what was expected to be a competitive final.
The 30-year-old insisted he was fit to race, but the IAAF withdrew him on health grounds, despite his claims that he had not been tested.
Speaking to the BBC after Makwala was not allowed into the stadium, the head of the Botswana delegation revealed that the sprinter was not allowed compete, but he was still allowed be in contact with other athletes despite his alleged illness.
The Botswana Athletics Federation chief executive has been speaking candidly in the studio.
He says they've been left in the dark. pic.twitter.com/jDAmQ3Yg0l— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 8, 2017
The Championships are quickly turning into one where staying healthy off the track is key.
