At the California State Track and Field Championships on May 31, Clara won the 400 m race with a personal best of 53.24 seconds. After her victory, she climbed into the stands and took a fire extinguisher from her father and coach, David Adams. She then returned to the track and sprayed it over her shoes in a playful gesture, mimicking that they were on fire.

While the crowd reacted positively to the stunt, officials from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) were not amused. They disqualified Clara for unsportsmanlike conduct and revoked her title. She was also barred from competing in the 200 m later that day.

It marked the first time in more than a decade that an athlete had been disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior at the event.

According to the CIF’s code of conduct, athletes must “be a good sport, teach and model class, be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity”. However, many online questioned whether Clara’s celebration, which did not affect other runners, deserved such a penalty.

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

Runner celebrated with fire extinguishers

In a later interview with KSBWClara, 16, broke down in tears.

“I worked so hard for that title,” she said.

Her father David also criticized the ruling, suggesting the punishment was excessive and potentially racially motivated.

“When she blew the fire extinguisher, the opponents were gone,” David said. “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.”

Clara’s celebration was a nod to former 100 m world record holder Maurice Greene, who famously sprayed a fire extinguisher on his shoes after winning a race at the 2004 Home Depot Invitational.

Upon hearing of Clara’s disqualification, Greene expressed support for her and urged the CIF to reconsider, according to New York Post.

“If it was away from everyone and not interfering with anyone, I would say reinstate her,” the Olympic champion said.