Controversy Over Teen Sprinter's Celebration: 'It's Just Kids'

Images of 16-year-old Clara Adams are circulating in the athletics world. The sprinter won, celebrated like an icon, and was disqualified.

• It's actually ridiculous, says Swedish sprinter Henrik Larsson.

When 16-year-old 400-meter runner Clara Adams won California's school championships, she wanted to celebrate like a true Olympic hero.

Inspired by Maurice Greene, double Olympic gold medalist from Sydney 2000, she grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it over her shoes.

She quickly regretted it.

Clara Adams was disqualified and stripped of her gold due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

• I'm in shock, she said afterward.

Images of a visibly upset 16-year-old have spread widely in the athletics world. Maurice Greene, the creator of the quirky victory gesture, even came out to defend Clara Adams.

Swedish Criticism: 'It's Just Kids'

Now, Swedish sprint stars are also stepping up to defend Adams.

• It's very strange. It was a tribute to Maurice Greene, says Sweden's fastest 100-meter runner Henrik Larsson.

• I find it hard to see how it can be classified as unsportsmanlike. It just feels like a fun thing. It's actually ridiculous.

Hurdler Carl Bengtström joins in.

• I think people should be allowed to have fun at that level. I'm generally against disqualifying people for things that don't affect the competition. Let them have fun, especially at that level. It's kids competing, let them be.

200-meter runner Erik Erlandsson hasn't seen the clip, but he agrees with the previous speakers. He also promises to perform a victory gesture himself.

That assumes he achieves a sensational victory in this weekend's Diamond League debut in Stockholm.

• I'll come up with something. I've got some inspiration, but haven't decided on anything yet. I'll work on something in the hotel room, he says with a broad smile.