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Athletics fans fume over world championships 'disgrace'

Devon Allen was disqualified after being detected jumping the blocks 0.001 seconds too early at the world athletics championships. Pic: BeIN Sports)
Devon Allen was disqualified after being detected jumping the blocks 0.001 seconds too early at the world athletics championships. Pic: BeIN Sports)

American sensation Devon Allen has been left shattered after a controversial disqualification wrecked his dreams at the world athletics championships in Eugene, Oregon.

An NFL hopeful with the Philadelphia Eagles, Allen suffered the cruellest of heartbreaks in the 110m hurdles after being disqualified for jumping the start by just one thousandth of a second.

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Runners aren't permitted to start within .1 second of the starting gun sounding. Allen was detected as reacting at 0.099, meaning he was disqualified by .001 second.

A digital starting block - rather than a human judge - detected the infraction which was essentially undetectable by the human eye.

When informed of the disqualification, Allen pleaded his case with multiple race officials but was not permitted to run the race under protest.

Instead of the originally slated eight finalists, the race eventually started with six runners after reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment of Jamaica was also forced out because of a leg injury in the warm-ups.

It was the disqualification of Allen that caused the biggest stir though, with boos echoing from the stands.

Athletics fans also vented their anger and disappointment over the ruling, on social media.

Devon Allen hoping to crack it in the NFL

American and defending world champion Grant Holloway won the race after crossing first in 13.03 seconds.

Fellow American Trey Cunningham finished in second (13.08 seconds), while Spain's Asier Martinez finished in third (13.17 seconds).

Allen entered the world championships having run the fastest time of the year and the third-fastest time ever with a 12.84-second finish at the New York Grand Prix in June.

He's a two-time Olympian with a fifth-place finish in Rio in 2016 and a fourth-place effort in Tokyo in 2021.

While his track season ends in disappointment, he'll shift gears to his next challenge at Eagles training camp starting on July 26, where he hopes to make the roster as a 27-year-old rookie.

Seen here, USA's Devon Allen reacts after competing in the men's 110m hurdles semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
USA's Devon Allen reacts after competing in the men's 110m hurdles semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon. Pic: Getty

In addition to running track, Allen played wide receiver at Oregon from 2014-16.

He wasn't an elite player, tallying 54 catches for 919 yards and eight touchdowns in three seasons.

But the Eagles were impressed when he ran a blistering 40-yard dash in 4.35 secs at Oregon's pro day and signed him to a deal.

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