Freetown | 31st July 2021 | Vertex Media

All 4 Sierra Leonean athletes have faced early eliminations in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics games, and the country’s Olympic delegation is packing back home.

Sierra Leone’s spell in the Games has been dramatic and confusing as well. The delegation travelled to Tokyo, Japan with only four (4) athletes to compete in three (3) events – Men’s and Women’s 50m Freestyle (Swimming), Judo 81kg and Women’s 100m (Athletics). Sierra Leone could only participate in 3 events out of 339 events from 33 sporting disciplines in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

It all started with controversies around skit sponsorship when Team Salone appeared in KSG brandede gears in the Olympics opening ceremony instead of the Labrum brand that was unveiled in Freetown months ago. Fast forward, Judoka Frederick Harrison was disqualified for over weighing in the 81kg Category of the Judo fight. This unfortunate start sparked controversies on social media with accusations and blame games.

Shortly after that, Sierra Leone sprinter, Margaret Vanessa Barrie also took to social media to inform the public about how she was ‘negligently registered’ for the 100 meters event, instead of her usual 400 meters event. Maggie took 2nd in the first Heat with a time of 11.54 seconds, but couldn’t progress to the Semi Finals even after recording her Season Best of 11.45 seconds.

Swimmers, Tity Dumbuya and Joshua Wyse couldn’t proceed to the Semi Finals after completing their heats on Thursday. This means, Sierra Leone’s presence in the games was shortlived as the Team Salone delegation heads back home.

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura

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