Indian press: Wu Yanni had asked for an appeal after the game, but Chinese track and field officials stopped and took her away
In the women's 100m hurdles at the Hangzhou Asian Games, hurdle goddess Wu Yanni was the favorite to win gold. There was a wrong snatch at the beginning of the race, which was visible to the naked eye, and Wu Yanni in the fourth lane was obviously the culprit, more than one step ahead. The referee officials looked at the replay and, surprisingly, showed the "fail" card to Yaraj on the adjacent route. The Indian national record holder protested and tried to see the replay for himself. Indian Athletics authorities confirmed that after the protest, the referees again checked and corrected their decision, allowing Yaraj and Wu Yanni to get back on the road.
Reuters reported: During a near-farcical delay, athletes were invited to watch the replay, and Wu Yanni's snatch can be clearly seen. But Wu Yanni has been protesting. In the end, a referee came up with a compromise. The official said: "You can race if you want, but the previous snatch will be reviewed. ”
Wu Yanni finished second, while Yaraj took third. However, the official final score table mentions Wu Yanni as DQ (disqualification) and Yalagi as the silver medalist. James Cyril, Yalagi's coach, said: "Yalagi protested for himself on the track and expressed his views very strongly. I am very proud of her today, especially after the disaster of the 200m in the morning (as the runner-up of the Asian Championships, the Asian Games final did not make it)," he said, revealing that the same thing happened to the same athlete in the final of the Asian Athletics Championships earlier this year. "Wu Yanni was also DQ there, and Yalagi won the gold medal."
There were reports that IAAF formally appealed, but according to The Hindu, IAI authorities confirmed no. They explained: "Where is the need to protest when the official final result itself indicates that Yaraj is the runner-up? Instead, China can protest and question the outcome if it wishes." While Ms. Wu herself seemed determined to do so, Chinese athletics officials were seen dissuading her near the Technical Information Center, eventually convincing and taking her away.