"I am currently seeking urgent legal intervention"- Luxolo Adams disappointed after being removed from the Paris Olympic team despite qualification 

Dismayed South African athlete Luxolo Adams has opened up about his removal from his country's Paris Olympics 2024 team. Despite qualifying, Adams received the news of his removal via WhatsApp, citing a "perceived lack of readiness."

Adams was set to make his Olympic debut in Paris in the 200m dash. He finally got a chance to represent his country on the biggest stage after qualifying for the 2024 Summer Games following his performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The 27-year-old has now claimed that this opportunity has been robbed of him by Athletics South Africa (ASA), as they dropped him from the Paris Olympics team, citing his lack of fitness. Adams is considering legal action against the organization.

Luxolo Adams said his dreams have been crushed because of politics. Track and Field Gazette shared the athlete's statement on X, which reveals that he received the news of his removal from the Olympic team via WhatsApp after he ran a 200m race in Italy on July 6 in 21.50s.

"I want to address the recent developments about my removal from the South African Olympic team. This decision has been incredibly disheartening, especially considering the journey I have undertaken ad the mental and physical changes I have faced," Adams wrote.

He also revealed that he is seeking legal help to prevent ASA from removing him from the Olympic team.

"I want to set a precedent for all athletes. Athletes' dreams should not be crushed by power plays and politics. I will continue to fight for fairness, transparency, and the mental well-being of all athletes. I am currently seeking urgent legal intervention to prevent ASA from removing me from the team, which I qualified for and for them to be transparent and consistent in their processes and selection criteria," he added.

Luxolo Adams on qualifying for his first Olympic Games

Before getting removed from the Olympic team, Luxolo Adams was informed by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee that he had qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The athlete was excited to experience competing on the big stage.

Adams said he had previously made attempts for the Olympics but faced adversities due to his injuries. However, this year he expanded his team to make sure that he was Olympic-ready. The 27-year-old said (as quoted by SABC Sport):

"It's been mainly because every year I've been injured, and my team and I have tried to manage that. I expanded my team this year, and I have three extra guys in my team now to also assist me to ensure I'm ready now for the Olympic Games."

Luxolo Adams added:

"It took me so long because I was getting injuries and I didn't have a good team back then. The first one, I didn't qualify, obviously, and then this is the second one since I've turned professional, but I have been to the last two World Champs, so I am used to the competition."

"But because this is my first Olympics, I'm looking forward to the competition and also achieving what we have been praying for and working hard towards," he concluded.

Despite working towards his mental and physical health, Luxolo Adams has been removed from the Paris Olympics team and will no longer be squaring off in the 200m dash.