A California high school track star has had her title taken away after one particular celebration.

North Salinas high school sophomore Clara Adams crossed the finish line first on 31 May in the 400 metres at Buchanan High, Clovis when she decided to run across the track to hug her father.

Dad, David, then gave her a fire extinguisher which she grabbed and sprayed onto her own shoes – as if they were on fire, paying homage to US Olympic gold medalist, Maurice Greene.

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When Maurice Green brought out the fire extinguisher celebration 😂 (via @USATF) #track #run #celebration

♬ original sound – Ian Asher

Things took a turn however, when California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) officials called the move unsportsmanlike and disqualified the athlete.

Later, speaking to Mercury News, the athlete said: “I don’t know what’s going through my mind right now,”.

“I’m disappointed and I feel robbed. I am in shock. They (officials) yelled at me and told me, ‘We’re not letting you on the podium.’ They took my moment away from me.”

The decision was made only seconds before she was about to run the 200 metres, causing her to be banned from running a race she was expected to win.

Her father, who is also her coach, believes strongly that his daughter did nothing wrong. He said; “When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone,”.

“That was our moment of celebration, and CIF officials made it about them. The crowd went crazy, they loved it, the CIF booth went crazy, they loved it. But those few guys in those jackets took offense to it, didn’t like it, and made a decision based off emotions.”

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Clara Adams was seen spraying her feet with a fire extinguisher after finishing in first place. The 16-year-old is devastated, saying she will “never get that moment back.” “Even if everything goes in my favor … in regards to like getting my title back, I’ll still never get that moment back, like standing on the podium as a sophomore. I’ll never get that back ‘cause they took it from me.” Adams was disqualified for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” #news #media #clips #fyp #track #trackandfield

♬ original sound – Real Media

Greene later heard about the celebration made in his honor and shared: “When I heard, cause it happened, and then people just started calling me ‘This girl who just ran the 400 did your celebration’ I was like huh? What?”. Adding; “If it was away from everyone and not interfering with anyone, I would say reinstate her,”.

The athlete won her race but went home with no medal.

CIF’s code of conducts states that all athletes must “be a good sport, teach and model class, be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; encourage student-athletes to give fallen opponents a hand, compliment extraordinary performance, and show sincere respect in pre- and post-game rituals.”