title image via Norfolk State Athletics
The USA Track& Field Championships are happening this weekend and with the 10.05 Kai Cole posted at the MEAC Track & Field Championship, he should be heading to Eugene, Oregon.
However, the Norfolk State sprinter will not be amongst the nation’s elite athletes vying to represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics and he says it was through no fault of his own.
Cole released a statement via his X account in which he lays the blame for his future absence squarely at the feet of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and, to a lesser extent, Norfolk State, saying in part “As many of you know, I was supposed to be competing, but due to the MEAC’s failure to sanction our conference track meet, my qualifying time of 10.05 was rejected by USATF. Despite my best efforts to appeal the decision, it was still denied and unfortunately, my university didn’t fully support me in the effort to get the ruling overturned.”
This ruling severely mars the completion of the collegiate career of the decorated championship sprinter and multiple-time MEAC Track Athlete of the Week.
Sneakershoptalk has reached out to the MEAC on this matter and is awaiting a response.
This is a developing story and we will have more on this situation as it develops.
