IAAF deny Isaac Makwala entry to London Stadium as athlete attempted to turn up despite being barred from 400m final through illness
Botswana athlete Makwala insists he has recovered from Norovirus and wanted to go for gold but World Championships organisers refuse to let him run
GOLD medal hope Isaac Makwala has claimed he is the victim of "sabotage" after he was refused entry to the London Stadium by the IAAF after turning up hoping to run in the 400 metres final.
Makwala has been banned from taking his place in tonight's medal race by World Championship organisers because he had been struck down by Norovirus.
The Botswana star is the biggest threat to IAAF golden boy Wayde van Niekerk claiming world title glory at London 2017.
He was barred from competing in the first round of the 200m yesterday, an event where he has run faster times than Van Niekerk this year.
And competition bosses today ruled he was unable to compete in the 400m final on medical grounds because he needed to spend 48 hours in quarantine after falling ill.
Makwala insists he is fully fit and healthy and attempted to gain entry to the stadium this evening to take his place on the start line.
He said: "I am heartbroken. I have waited. I feel like it's sabotage. I'm not sure if it is the IAAF or the British.
"I am feeling good to run tonight."
But when he arrived, two officials were waiting to confront the 30-year-old and block his entry.
London 2017 chiefs have been desperately trying to contain an outbreak of the sickness bug which hit competitors and officials staying at one of the official hotels.
The decision was blasted by sprint legend Michael Johnson, who claimed the IAAF have lost control of the situation.
Johnson said : "The IAAF may soon realise they have got this horribly wrong as to why they have chosen to disqualify him.
"Does this apply to other athletes? If you collapse you are okay but if you vomit you aren't okay?
"Has he been advised not to be around other athletes? There is a lot of inconsistency here.
"And then of course, there is the elephant in the room - Wayde van Niekerk is an IAAF favourite and now his only challenger has been pulled out of both the 200m and 400m?
"The conspiracy theories will come out of the silence."