Norfolk State sprinter Kai Cole ran a time that was fast enough to qualify him for the United States Track & Field Olympic trials this weekend, but due to an unfortunate oversight, he will not have the opportunity.
Cole, a fifth-year senior who ran a 10.05 at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship meet, posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday afternoon explaining the situation.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/8TzGQpEp4t
— Kai Cole (@2FlyyKai) June 20, 2024
“I wanted to let you all know that I won’t be attending the Olympic Trials this weekend,” Cole’s statement begins. “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 disqualified by USATF.”
Cole said, “Despite my best efforts to appeal the decision, it was still denied, and unfortunately, my university didn’t fully support me in an effort to get the ruling overturned.”
Cole expressed the effect that having his final opportunity to compete on a world stage is having on him.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, so for this to be stripped away from me is truly heartbreaking,” he said. “Out of the five years of putting my all into Norfolk State Track and Field, it is unfortunate this is the way my journey has to end. Being a multi-time champion in the MEAC conference and three-time school record holder, it’s upsetting that this was out of my control.”
Cole did thank NSU track and field assistant coaches Jerry Price and Ashanti Matthews for their support.
The MEAC has not issued a statement regarding this issue as of press time.
