French U20 athlete stripped of European medal for wearing illegal insoles
The fourth-place finisher lodged a protest, which led to the disqualification
On Sunday at the European U20 Championships in Finland, France’s Emmanuel Idinna thought he had the silver medal locked up in the men’s triple jump, after recording a 15.85 metre jump on his penultimate attempt, but that wasn’t the case.
Following the event, Idinna’s result came under review when Bulgaria’s Zinga Firmino, the fourth-place finisher, protested. Firmino claimed Idinna had been wearing insoles that violated World Athletics equipment rules.
Emotional rollercoaster at the European U20 Championships 🤯
🥈 French triple jumper Emmanuel Idinna 🇫🇷 initially produced the 2nd best jump of the final (15.85m), but was later disqualified after it was found he had worn shoes not approved by World Athletics
📸: Thomas Termote pic.twitter.com/reDJy253gF
— Track side with Mel (@TracksidewidMel) August 13, 2025
While the Adidas Adizero TJ shoes Idinna wore are certified by World Athletics, officials determined he had swapped out the standard orange insoles for a different pair. That change rendered the footwear non-compliant and led to his disqualification. Firmino was upgraded from fourth to bronze.
According to the World Athletics Competition Rules, athletes cannot wear shoes or insoles that provide any unfair advantage. “Custom-made or prototype shoes, including insoles tailored to individual athletes, are prohibited unless they meet universal availability standards.”
With Idinna stripped of silver, Turkey’s Emre Colak moved up from bronze to silver and Firmino promoted to bronze with his 15.71m jump. To add insult to injury, the disqualification came on Idinna’s 18th birthday—not the celebration he’d been hoping for.
