High school sprinter stripped of state title over fire extinguisher celebration

A California high school sprinter had her state championship taken away over the weekend after officials ruled that the way she celebrated was unsportsmanlike.

Clara Adams, a 16-year-old sprinter from North Salinas High School, won the 400-meter state final at the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships on Saturday with a time of 53.24 seconds. Following the race, she went over to where her father and coach were standing to retrieve a small fire extinguisher.

Adams then brought the fire extinguisher to an area near the track and sprayed her feet with it, which was a tribute to former U.S. Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene.

According to KSBW 8, CIF officials decided the act was unsportsmanlike and disqualified Adams, which stripped her of her title. Davis Adams, Clara’s father, was critical of the decision.

“When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone,” David Adams said. “That was our moment of celebration, and CIF officials made it about them. The crowd went crazy, they loved it, the CIF booth went crazy, they loved it. But those few guys in those jackets took offense to it, didn’t like it, and made a decision based off emotions.”