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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Pistorius Wins Appeal,
Debate Ensues

Posted May 20th, 2008 at 11:30 AM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Success Stories, Track & Field, Olympics

After the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ban Friday by the International Association of Athletics Federations, double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius can compete in the Beijing Olympic Games. What does this mean for the future of track and field?

Pistorius, 21, is a South African athlete who has excelled in Paralympic competition. He holds Paralympic world records in the 100, 200 and 400-meter events. His strongest event is the 400, in which he has a personal-best time of 46.56 seconds.

The Olympic “A” standard in the 400 is 45.55 seconds. After the debate over allowing Pistorius to compete against able-bodied athletes, will he even make the team? If not, he still has a shot at the South African 4×400-meter relay team, which does not require a qualifying time. He also plans to compete at the 2008 Paralympic Games, in Beijing, Sept. 6-17.
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JUSTICE PREVAILS:
Double-Amputee Pistorius Wins Appeal Over IAAF; Earns Right to Try for Olympics

Posted May 16th, 2008 at 4:18 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal to be eligible to compete in the Olympics using the carbon-fiber prosthetics that have gained him the nickname “Blade Runner.'’

The Court of Arbitration for Sport today overturned a ban on the 21-year-old South African runner by the International Association of Athletics Federations, which said studies found the prosthetic blades gave him an unfair advantage.

“The panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage,'’ the Lausanne, Switzerland-based court said in a ruling on its Web site.

Pistorius needs to shave 1.01 seconds from his best time to reach the Olympic qualifying standard for the 400-meter sprint to compete in the race at the Beijing Games in August. The Associated Press said he may be picked as an alternate for the South African team even if he doesn’t meet the qualifying mark.
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ESPN, Nightline & GMA to Air Special Features, Present New Evidence in the Oscar Pistorius Controversy on April 15

Posted April 9th, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Track & Field, Columns, Olympics, SPOTLIGHT

One of the most talked-about sports stories of the past year is the controversy surrounding Oscar Pistorius, the bi-lateral amputee sprinter who is trying to make a bid for the Olympics and is appealing the IAAF’s ruling that he has a technical advantage. Ossur, the maker of those Cheetahs, invites everyone to form their own opinion based on new information as presented by ESPN’s E:60, Good Morning America, Nightline, and ESPN Magazine.

Looking for insights into this game-changing issue that raises scientific, ethical and philosophical questions, and for the past three months, ESPN’s investigative journalists have traveled the globe to learn more. They interviewed Oscar, his family, coach, prosthetist, friends, competitors, lawyers, and Ossur, too. They also interviewed Professor Bruggemann, the German doctor who originally tested him on behalf of the IAAF.

What to see on April 15th:

• Good Morning America will air a segment between 7-9am
• ESPN’s E:60 will broadcast a 10-minute feature between 7-8pm.
• Nightline will look into the story at 11:30pm.

In addition, ESPN Magazine’s April 21st cover story will delve into Oscar’s case.
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IAAF Annuls all Marion Jones Results from September 2000

Posted November 23rd, 2007 at 5:00 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Drugs In Sports

Marion Jones should be stripped of five Olympic medals from the 2000 Games in the wake of her confession last month to using performance-enhancing drugs, the sport’s world governing body announced today.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council formally disqualified Jones from all competitions on or subsequent to September 1, 2000, in effect wiping nearly seven years from the sprinter’s competitive slate.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said that the Council will also recommend to the International Olympic Committee to disqualify the U.S. women’s 4×100 and 4×400 meter relay teams from the Sydney Games, “And to insist on the return of all medals and diplomas.”

But the governing body stopped short of recommending that controversial Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou, who was the silver medallist in the 100 behind Jones, be awarded the gold medal.
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IAAF President Praises London 2012 Olympic
Stadium Design

Posted November 12th, 2007 at 11:25 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has praised the designs of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

President of the IAAF Mr Lamine Diack said: ‘The designs for the 2012 Olympic stadium indicate a secure future for the Olympics’ number one sport in the British capital.

‘London’s successful bid for the 2012 Games had legacy at its heart, and in particular, the need to provide sustainable venues and projects, as part of a vision of the city’s future development.

‘In turn, the sport of Athletics, whose rules and heritage owe so much to Great Britain, has been in desperate need for a world class competition facility in London, to showcase the sport in the UK, especially for international events such as the annual IAAF Super Grand Prix.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: SummerOlympian.com

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IOC, IAAF move forward on Marion Jones doping case

Posted November 6th, 2007 at 2:19 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has confirmed that former Olympic champion, famous sprinter Marion Jones, would face further action by the IOC after IAAF’s treatment upon her.

After years of denying she had ever used performance-enhancing drugs, Jones admitted in court that she’d taken the designer steroid known as “the clear” from September 2000 to July 2001.

After her confession, the U.S. Olympic Committee stripped her of the five medals she earned at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

President Rogge said these medals were delivered to the IOC on Tuesday and that the IOC would move on further measures based on the IAAF decision. Read the rest of this entry »

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