Canadian teen's 400-metre world record not ratified over issue with starting blocks

Christopher Morales Williams' world indoor record in the 400 metres cannot be ratified due to issues with the starting blocks, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) said on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Canadian clocked a time of 44.49 seconds at the NCAA's Southeastern Conference championships on Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The 44.49 that Christopher Morales Williams of <a href="https://twitter.com/UGATrack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UGATrack</a> ran this past weekend in the 400 meters at the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEC</a> Indoor Championships will remain an all-time world best since it can't be ratified due to an issue with the starting blocks. CMW was drug tested after the competition, so…

He bettered the previous mark of 44.52 set by American Michael Norman in 2018, which will remain the world record time.

In a post on social media site X, formerly Twitter, the USTFCCCA said Morales Williams' effort would "remain an all-time world best since it can't be ratified due to an issue with the starting blocks."

The governing body added that Morales Williams was drug-tested after the event, saying "that wasn't an issue."

WATCH | Morales Williams posts time of 44.49 seconds in 400: