SEAG: Jasmine Alkhaldi reswims for gold medal after protest

MANILA, Philippines – Jasmine Alkhaldi won the women’s 100 freestyle on the pool but the jury at the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar asked the Filipina tanker to surrender the gold medal after it upheld a Thai protest. 

Mark Joseph, president of the Philippine swimming federation, said in a phone interview here late Thursday that the jury told national coach Pinky Brosas that the 100 freestyle finals will be swam Friday afternoon (7:20 PM Manila time).

“A protest was filed by Thailand based on a second sounding of the (starting) horn during Jasmine’s 100 free. The protest was upheld favorably to hold a reswim tomorrow pm,” said Joseph in a text message.

Alkhaldi, 20, won the race in 56.57 seconds to beat Singaporeans Tien Wen Quah and Amanda Xiang Qi Lim. Qua was second in 56.74 and Lim third in 57.21.

“The medals have already been awarded when we were told of the decision. Jasmine had gone to the doping control etc… and we were told to return the medal,” said Joseph. 

Joseph said if Alkhaldi was “indeed guilty of a false start, she should have been dq (disqualified) on the spot or after the race.” He said Alkhaldi “will still win.”

“She’ll be ok,” Joseph added.

Had the result stood, Alkhaldi would have won the country’s only gold medal for the day. It would have ended swimming’s gold medal drought in the SEA Games since 2009 and her medal would have been the first gold by a Filipina since the 1995 SEA Games with Akiko Thompson, now Philippine Sports Commissioner, on the same day. – Rappler.com