Clara Adams fights back after disqualification, heads to nationals with community support

Clara Adams, a 16-year-old track athlete, was disqualified from her state championship victory after celebrating with a fire extinguisher. The California Interscholastic Foundation ruled the act unsportsmanlike, though no specific regulation addresses it.

Despite this setback, Adams is still pressing on.

Track star Clara Adams stripped of title

Civil rights advocates are pushing for Adams’ title to be restored. Meanwhile, her father has launched a fundraiser to help her team compete at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Oregon.

Adams, a North Salinas High School sophomore, won the 400-meter final at the California CIF State Finals on May 31 in Clovis, California, with a time of 53.24 seconds, finishing more than a quarter-second ahead of the runner-up.

Instead of advancing to her 200-meter final, CIF officials disqualified Adams from both events. They cited an unspecified infraction. The ruling sparked national coverage on the controversy.

Adams’ celebration—spraying her shoes with a fire extinguisher—was inspired by Olympic champion Maurice Greene. He famously performed the gesture after winning the 100-meter dash at the 2004 Home Depot Invitational. Greene spoke out in support of Adams, stating that if her celebration did not interfere with others, she should be reinstated.

GoFundMe created

Adams has since secured a spot at the U20 Nike Outdoor National Championships, set for June 19-22 at Hayward Field in Oregon. A fundraiser is underway to cover travel expenses for Adams, her team at Tezla Sports Academy, and videographer Macias712.

To donate, visit the GoFundMe fundraiser here.