Sharon Firisua Places Last in 100m Sprint

Sharon Firisua, a distance runner from the Solomon Islands, competed in the women's 100 meters at the Paris Olympics but finished last with a personal best time of 14.31 seconds, almost three seconds behind the winner. Despite her lack of experience in the sprint, she was awarded a wildcard spot typically reserved for small nations to allow athletes to participate in major events. This decision sparked controversy, particularly as the country's top sprinter, Jovita Arunia, was passed over for the spot and expressed her frustration, considering quitting the sport altogether. Firisua's Olympic journey includes previous participation in the 5,000 meters in 2016 and the marathon in 2021. Her 100m performance was notably slower than the time of reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson. Firisua's unique entry into the sprinting event has raised questions about the selection process for Olympic athletes.