Rojas is not allowed to compete in the long jump at the World Championships because the soles of her shoes were too thick

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Yulimar Rojas at the Olympic triple jump in Tokyo 2021

Photo:

Juan Ignacio Roncoroni / imago images / Agencia EFE

The world record holder and Olympic champion in triple jump, Yulimar Rojas from Venezuela, has to do without a double start at the World Championships and a duel with Malaika Mihambo.

Although the 26-year-old had clearly exceeded the qualifying distance for the long jump in June with 6.93 meters, this was not recognized by the world association.

The reason given was that she was wearing her triple jump spikes, which were not approved for the long jump.

The soles of the shoes were too thick for the long jump - it's about five millimeters.

The soles in the long jump may not be more than 20 millimeters thick, but 25 in the triple jump.

Second jump is missing to the norm

At the 2019 World Championships, when Mihambo became world champion, Rojas would have won silver with 6.93 meters.

This year it would be fourth in the world rankings.

Mihambo leads this with 7.09 meters.

In her second-best performance of the year of 6.81 meters, Rojas was one centimeter short of the direct norm in the long jump.

To qualify for the world rankings, she is missing further competitions.

The World Championships will take place in Eugene, USA from July 15th to 24th.

Rojas is the top favorite for gold in the triple jump.

aha/dpa