A female athlete from Somalia on Wednesday caused a global stir after she posted the “slowest time ever” in the 100-metre race during the World University Games in China.

Nasra Abubakar Ali, who took over 21 seconds to finish the race, alleged that she took part in the race with a sprained leg even as she took a beating for her lackluster performance.

Nasra, in her statement on the controversial matter, said she was shocked at the wide criticism she has received from Wednesday when the video of the race went viral.

The said 100-metre dash was clinched by Gabriela Silva Mourao who finished in 11.58 seconds, which was almost half the time Nasra took to cross the finish line in the Chinese race.

“I ran with a sprained leg, but I am criticized,” indicated 20-year-old Nasra.

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The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Somalia has taken a beating since Wednesday for selecting her to take part in the stiff competition while not adequately prepared for it.

In the video shared widely on various social media platforms, Nasra is seen struggling to keep up with her fellow athletes right from when the race begins and drags to the end.

In a statement, the Somali Ministry of Youth and Sports directed the Somalia Olympic Committee to suspend the National Athletics Federation chairperson Khadija Aden Dahir amid claim that Nasra is her relative and that nepotism played a part in her pick for the tough race.