Challenging Olympic Disqualification
In some games at the recent Olympics, particularly in Track and Field events, there were some big upsets - and fan reactions - when the winners were announced. Take the mens 200m. While there is not doubt at all that Usain Bolt (Jamaica) was the winner and new record holder, the rest of the field got a bit interesting.
Technically, Churandy Martina finished in second place and should have received the silver medal however he was disqualified for having run outside of his lane. Likewise, the US runner Wallace Spearmon was disqualified and, as a result the silver and bronze went to Shawn Crawford and Walter Dix respectively.
Earlier this month, however, the Olympic committee for the Netherlands has appealed the ruling against Martina and has requested that the CAS doesn’t just overturn the disqualification, but also that they invalidate the procedure that the IAAF Jury used to disqualify him.
Personally, I’m not as familiar with the race now as I was when the games were going on, however, given that the statement made by the CAS states that the US Olympic Committee and USA Track and Field are asking to participate in the arbitration procedure, it does leave me wondering whether or not the decision will be revoked, and, if so, how the matter will be resolved.
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