By Our Correspondent

National News – Former American middle-distance runner Kyle Merber has said Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan deserves apologies from critics who doubted her women’s 100m hurdles world record in 2022.

Merber made the statement after American athlete Masai Russell clocked 12.14 seconds at the Xiamen Diamond League, reigniting talks that Amusan’s world record could soon be broken.

Amusan set the world record during the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, United States, when she ran 12.12 seconds in the semi-finals, surpassing the previous 12.20-second mark held by American hurdler Kendra Harrison.

She later finished the final in 12.06 seconds, although the time was not recognised because of excessive wind assistance.

Following the historic achievement, several athletics personalities questioned the legitimacy of the performance.

Some critics suggested that improved spike technology, track conditions and possible doping may have influenced the result.

Former American sprinter Michael Johnson was among those who publicly expressed doubts about the record at the time.

Speaking on the CITIUS MAG Podcast, Merber admitted the reactions towards Amusan were unfair, especially as similar times are now becoming common in women’s sprint hurdles competitions.

According to him, many people outside Nigeria rushed to criticise Amusan because they believed the world record was untouchable.

He noted that Russell’s recent performances have now shown that the 12.12-second mark is achievable, making previous accusations against the Nigerian athlete appear unjustified.

Amusan was provisionally suspended in 2023 by the Athletics Integrity Unit over missed whereabouts filings before the World Championships in Budapest.

However, she was later cleared to compete. Although she failed to defend her world title, she remains one of the world’s leading hurdlers, posting a season’s best of 12.28 seconds this year and winning another African title.