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Offline Socapro

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Where’re our Olympic medals?
T&T track stars await silver lining

By Lasana Liburd | Saturday 21 March 2015 | wired868.com


The London 2012 Olympic Games closed its doors three years with a cultural segue way by a Brazilian delegation, which hinted at the fun and beauty that awaits athletes and sport enthusiasts at the Rio 2016 edition.

But, for the Trinidad and Tobago 4×100 metre relay team, the interlude between London and Rio has been traumatic due to a burning feeling of injustice and neglect over a perceived daylight robbery that occurred in front of millions of viewers.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago’s 2010 Olympic Games 4×100 metre team (from left) Marc Burns, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson.

Sprinters Richard “Torpedo” Thompson, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns have one question for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and everyone in between.

Where are our silver medals?

On Saturday 11 August 2012, the Trinidad and Tobago team were fourth across the line in the 4×100 metre final behind Jamaica, the United States and Canada respectively. However, officials quickly spotted that Canada’s third leg runner, Jared Connaughton, had stepped across the line and his disqualification meant Thompson, Bledman, Callender and Burns were promoted to bronze.

It was another two years before the second shocking twist to the tale of this race. On Saturday 2 May 2014, American sprinter Tyson Gay admitted to using anabolic steroids during a period that included the London 2012 Olympics and handed over his 4×100 metre silver medal.

An IAAF amendment in 2003 means that a relay team will be disqualified if a member fails a doping test. Ironically, this rule change became necessary after another drug scandal involving a US team as disgraced sprinter Marion Jones tested positive but her teammates kept their their 2000 Olympic gold medals after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).


Photo: Sprinter Tyson Gay was using anabolic steroids when he helped the 4×100 metre US team to silver medals at the London 2012 Olympics.(Courtesy Vnews),

But, a year after Gay was outed, the Trinidad and Tobago quartet is still waiting word on the silver medals that they believe to be their just due.

“I believe we should get our silver medals,” said Callender, who also got relay silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, “because I ran out there with my natural God-given ability (and) with much hard work to make it to the Olympic finals. The sport has been tainted by performance enhancing drugs and I choose to stay away from it.

“If anyone is caught taking it they should be stripped of their medal immediately after being found guilty.”

Thompson, who got two silver medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, agreed and suggested that United States 4×100 metre sprinters Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey and Trell Kimmons should not need to be told to return their medals.

“The circumstances are obviously not the way we want to win medals,” Thompson told Wired868. “We always hope to line up and overcome a fair field. However, we didn’t line up against a field that played by the rules.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago sprint star Richard “Torpedo” Thompson.(Courtesy Power 102FM)

“They competed with someone who gave them an unfair advantage and, as a result, the other members of the US team shouldn’t even be asked to return their medal. They should give it up voluntarily and allow us to be upgraded.”

Enter the sporting administrators…

Wired868 telephoned the IOC’s press office and, at the latter’s request, submitted the following questions by email:

“Is a process in motion to determine whether London 2012 Olympic silver medals would be given to Trinidad and Tobago’s 4×100 metre relay team? If so, can you inform me: At what stage is this process at? Is there any timeline for its completion?”

Up to the time of publication, the IOC press office had not responded.

The Trinidad and Tobago sprinters believe they did their part on the track and it is time for the local sport administrators to support them off of it.

“I personally have not spoken to (TTOC president) Brian Lewis or (NAAA secretary) Allan Baboolal about the matter,” said Thompson. “However, it’s part of their responsibility to handle matters of this nature given the posts they hold.

“I’ve recently seen Mr Lewis openly tweet that he hasn’t heard anything from the IOC regarding the matter. But it’s been over a year now. So I think it’s necessary that we reach out to them about it.”


Photo: TTOC president Brian Lewis (right) and NAAA president Ephraim Serrette.(Courtesy NAAA/LoopTT)

TTOC president Brian Lewis countered that there was simply nothing he can do but wait at this stage. He told Wired868 that he had enquired on behalf of the quartet.

“The responsibility for that matter is squarely in the hands of the International Olympic Committee,” said Lewis. “The usual procedure is they will address the issue and make a deliberation. My understanding of the process is that a ruling has been made and even the IAAF has said is it in the hands of the International Olympic Committee…

“It is not unprecedented that these things, for reasons best known to IOC and WADA, go through a very protracted period.”

There is the hint—from track observers—that the supposed leniency of Gay’s one-year ban suggest that a boardroom deal might have been struck.

Might horse-trading behind closed doors have affected the case of Trinidad and Tobago’s 4×100 metre team?

Lewis declined to speculate on the machinations of the relevant sporting bodies on the matter. However, he pointed out that CAS has returned medals to punished athletes in the past, which might have led to increased caution by the IOC.


Photo: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago sprinters (from left) Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt, Keston Bledman, Marc Burns and Emmanuel Callender show off their gold and bronze medals respectively after the 4×100 final in London 2012.(Copyright AFP 2015)

“Being a signatory to the WADA code, we are obliged to respect the code as it deals with confidentiality, public exposure, etc,” said Lewis. “It is not a matter in our jurisdiction, so we have to be careful how we go into the realm of speculation.

“From what I have seen in the public space, there seems to be interesting aspects between what has been agreed to between the US Anti-Doping Agency, the IAAF and Tyson Gay. In the absence of that information, I cannot speculate as the president of the TTOC.

“My expectation is the matter is receiving their ongoing consideration.”

There is more. Thompson, Burns, Callender and Bledman argue that, since the Trinidad and Tobago Government rewarded them for a third place finish at the Olympics, an improved placing should also mean enhanced recompense from the Government.

“It’s visible to the entire country that a precedent has already been set for each colour medal,” said Thompson. “We have confidence that the current Government will respect it as such and grant us the monetary upgrade along with the medal when it’s finalised.”

Callender agreed and pointed out too that the sprint team is yet to receive any returns from the State for second place at the Berlin 2009 World Championships.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Sport Minister and Senator Brent Sancho.(Courtesy SPORTT)

New Sport Minister Brent Sancho, in a recent interview with Wired868, proposed that a committee be set up to look into the needs and reward system for the various sporting disciplines.

However, Sancho was noncommittal as to whether rewards for national athletes should be standardised so as to avoid confusion about what they deserve for feats in red, black and white strip.

“Obviously it is at the Prime Minister’s will to deliver what he or she sees as a just reward,” Sancho told Wired868. “As much as I would like to standardise it, it will always come down to what they want and the emotions of the country at that point in time. So there is always a challenge to say we can standardise it because circumstances vary…

“Some may argue if another team were to qualify for the (FIFA) World Cup, obviously it would not have the same impact as the 2006 team. So we need to take all those things into consideration and give it some flexibility so that, if the Prime Minister of the day wants to add or decrease, they should be able to do so.”

Sancho promised to look into the sprinters’ case.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago sprinters (from left) Richard Thompson, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman finished third at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
However, they may be due silver medals after US sprinter Tyson Gay subsequently failed a dope test.(Courtesy AFP 2015)


“I am only guided by what has happened and transpired in the past and obviously I will have to talk to the Permanent Secretary and deputy Permanent Secretary on how they see fit (to deal with it),” he said. “Money will always be an issue here… I am dealing with taxpayers’ dollars and I cannot spend it frivolously and willy-nilly. But at the same time, I believe rewards should be given to those who deserve to be rewarded.”

Lewis is unimpressed by the present inconsistency that athletes endure, though. The TTOC president recently launched his “10 or more Olympic gold medals by 2024” programme, which aims to improve the country’s Olympic efforts in terms of preparation, performance and marketing.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Sport has a habit of creating procedures and guidelines only to subsequently ignore them and restart the entire process under successive Ministers. One such initiative, he claimed, was a proposed guideline on rewards that is already 13 years old.

“It takes 10 to 13 years to develop an Olympic athlete,” said Lewis. “If we implemented and executed some of those documents, policies and guidelines and monitored and evaluated them, sport would be much further ahead than it is right now…

“We have had programs drawn up after extensive input and consultation by stakeholders through the length and breadth of the country. But, before it is implemented, we hear about someone wanting to reassess and then we are starting over again.

“You are asking a valid question (about having standard rewards for athletes) but that document is in the Ministry somewhere and then you will hear about it being reviewed when it wasn’t executed in the first place.”


Photo: The Trinidad and Tobago Government feted Keshorn Walcott on his return from the London 2012 Olympics.

For the first time, the TTOC plans to introduce a medal bonus program for its athletes, which will start at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games and carry on into Rio 2016. This incentive is not meant to replace Government rewards but to further complement them.

Either way, Thompson vowed that he and his teammates would not be distracted as they prepare to do battle again in national colours. His hope is they will face a clean field in Brazil.

“I wouldn’t say (the outstanding medals and bonuses) play on our minds,” said Thompson. “As much as we are aware of it, we cannot let it distract us from achieving what we want to in the future. Our goal is always to be the best that we can be and we can only do that by focusing on ourselves.

“There are anti-doping agencies to find those trying to beat the system. We expect that they will do their job to eliminate issues like what we’re dealing with now.”

Callender had the final word for drug cheats and those who benefitted from them.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Richard Thompson (far right) chases Jamaican legend Usain Bolt (far left) during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 4×100 metre final.(Copyright AFP 2015)

“It takes four individuals to run a relay,” said Callender. “If one drops the stick, then all are automatically disqualified due to a violation of the rules. So in this case, I believe Tyson Gay dropped his baton and his national pride.

“We deserve what belongs to us.”
« Last Edit: May 24, 2015, 07:45:03 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline 1-868

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US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2015, 02:14:04 PM »
US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
13/05/2015 14:40 (LOOPTT.com)


The entire U.S. men’s sprint relay team was stripped of its silver medal from the 2012 London Olympics on Wednesday as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case. Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member.


In this Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 file photo, USA’s Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey celebrate after receiving their silver medals for the men’s 4×100-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London. Two officials with knowledge of the decision say the entire U.S. men’s sprint relay team has been stripped of its silver medal from the 2012 London Olympics as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been announced. They say the International Olympic Committee notified the U.S. Olympic Committee by letter on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 that the team has been disqualified and the medals withdrawn. The letter asks the USOC to collect the medals and return them to the IOC. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Trinidad and Tobago placed 3rd in the 2012 4×100 Relay event, clocking in at 38.12 seconds.

The reallocation now means that Bronze will now go to the French team which placed 4th in 38.16 seconds.


In this Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 photo, T&T’s Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson on the medal podium show off their bronze medals for the men’s 4×100-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London. Their bronze medals will now be upgraded to silver.

The International Olympic Committee notified the U.S. Olympic Committee by letter that the 4×100 relay team has been disqualified and all the medals withdrawn. The letter asks the USOC to collect the medals and return them to the IOC.

“As expected, following USADA’s decision in the Tyson Gay case, the IOC today confirmed that the U.S. team has been disqualified from the 4×100-meter race that was part of the athletics competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games,” USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement.

“We will begin efforts to have the medals returned, and support all measures to protect clean athletes.”

The USOC statement came after The Associated Press broke the news of the disqualification.

Gay returned his own medal last year after accepting a one-year doping suspension and the loss of results going back to July 2012, but the status of the U.S. second-place finish in London and the medals of Gay’s relay teammates had remained in limbo until now.

Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member.

Gay was a member of the American team that finished second in London behind a Jamaican team anchored by Usain Bolt. The Americans set a national record in the final with a time of 37.04 seconds.

The other U.S. team members losing medals are Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton. Kimmons, Gatlin and Bailey ran in the final with Gay.

Gatlin, who is in Qatar for the opening Diamond League meet of the season on Friday, told the AP he was not aware of the decision and had no comment. Gatlin, who won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, served a four-year doping ban from 2006.

Gay tested positive for steroids at the U.S. championships in 2013. He received a reduced suspension — rather than a two-year ban — because he cooperated with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation that led to an eight-year ban for his former coach, Jon Drummond.

Gay’s results were annulled going back to July 15, 2012, the date when he first used a product containing a banned substance.

If the London medals are reallocated, the silver will go to Trinidad and Tobago, which finished third in 38.12 seconds. The bronze would go to the French team which placed fourth in 38.16 seconds.

The rules of track and field’s world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, mandated that the entire U.S. team be disqualified, but the final decision was up to the IOC.

Drummond was the coach of the U.S. relay team in London and placed Gay on the team. According to the USADA decision in Drummond’s case, the athlete took a banned substance in July 2012 with the coach’s knowledge.

The IOC has previously stripped U.S. relay teams of medals retroactively for doping, including three teams from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The U.S. was stripped of gold in the women’s 4×400 and bronze in the 4×100 following Marion Jones’ admission of doping. Jones returned her medals, but her teammates appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to keep theirs and won their case in 2010. The court said IAAF rules at the time did not allow entire teams to be disqualified because of doping by one athlete.

The IOC also stripped the U.S. men’s 4×400 relay of their Sydney gold after a doping admission by Antonio Pettigrew.

In 2012, American runner Crystal Cox was stripped of her gold medal from the 4×400 relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics after admitting to doping. The IOC did not disqualify the rest of the team because it was unclear which rules were in effect at the time.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 02:17:06 PM by Socapro »
Phenomenal, lovely atmosphere.

Offline Aviator

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Re: US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2015, 09:32:38 PM »
The race that keeps on giving. First the Canucks step on the line, now the Yankees get disqualified and we keep moving up!!
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Offline Socapro

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Re: US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2015, 10:17:27 PM »
The race that keeps on giving. First the Canucks step on the line, now the Yankees get disqualified and we keep moving up!!

God Is Ah Trini!  :beermug:
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Re: US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2015, 11:47:26 PM »
The race that keeps on giving. First the Canucks step on the line, now the Yankees get disqualified and we keep moving up!!

God Is Ah Trini!  :beermug:

If J'ca gets disqualified and we get Gold, then God is truly Trini.  ;D ;D
VITAMIN V...KEEPS THE LADIES HEALTHY...:-)

Offline Socapro

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Re: US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2015, 07:20:13 AM »
The race that keeps on giving. First the Canucks step on the line, now the Yankees get disqualified and we keep moving up!!

God Is Ah Trini!  :beermug:

If J'ca gets disqualified and we get Gold, then God is truly Trini.  ;D ;D

They will be okay as God loves Jamaicans too!  :mackdaddy:
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Re: US team stripped of medals, T&T receive Olympic silver
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2015, 02:04:21 PM »
The race that keeps on giving. First the Canucks step on the line, now the Yankees get disqualified and we keep moving up!!

 :beermug:
Today you're the dog, tomorrow you're the hydrant - so be good to others - it comes back!"

Offline Socapro

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T&T set for Olympic upgrade
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2015, 08:44:28 PM »
T&T set for Olympic upgrade
By Kwame Laurence (T&T Express)
Published on May 14, 2015, 12:30 am AST


Emmanuel Callender, Keston Bledman, Marc Burns and Richard "Torpedo" Thompson
Source: NAAA


Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard “Torpedo” Thompson have moved a stride closer to Olympic Games men's 4x100 metres silver.

With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripping United States of their London 2012 silver medal, yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) is awaiting word from the IOC on the reallocation of medals.

“We've made enquires with the IOC,” TTOC president Brian Lewis told the Express, “seeking clarification or official communication from them that USA is officially disqualified, and that Trinidad and Tobago would have gone from bronze to silver. I'm looking forward to providing the country and the athletes with official communication.”

If Bledman, Burns, Callender and Thompson are upgraded to silver, it would be the quartet's second promotion. Thompson was actually the fourth man to cross the finish line in the London sprint relay final, anchoring T&T to a 38.12 seconds clocking. A lane violation, however, led to the disqualification of third-placed Canada, and T&T moved into the bronze position.

American track star Tyson Gay received a one-year doping ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in 2013, and his results, starting from July 15, 2012, were annulled. Included on that list of disqualified results was the August 11 Olympic 4x100m final, United States having finished second to Jamaica.

Gay returned his silver medal, last year. And now, his teammates in the championship race--Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin and Ryan Bailey--have been asked to do the same. Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton, who ran in the qualifying round, will also have to hand in their medals.

If the medals are reallocated, T&T will be promoted from bronze to silver, and France, from fourth to bronze.

“The matter has been going on for some time,” said Lewis, “but there is a process. The decision on reallocation is the IOC's.

“I would hesitate,” the TTOC boss continued, “to say I expect T&T to be awarded silver, because precedent has been set where the IOC would not have reallocated medals. As president of the TTOC, I would not want to speculate. I await the official communication of the International Olympic Committee.”

If London 2012 men's 4x100m silver is awarded to T&T, the country's best ever Olympic performance would get even better--one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 09:33:37 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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4x100 men in line for Olympic silver
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2015, 08:51:50 PM »
4x100 men in line for Olympic silver
By Rachael Thomspon-King (T&T Guardian)
Published: Thursday, May 14, 2015


T&T’s Marc Burns, from left, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson celebrate after winning the bronze medals for the men’s 4x100-metre during the 2012 London Olympics. Yesterday, the local unit received a second upgrade to the silver medal after the US team was stripped as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case. AP Photo

T&T men’s sprint relay team, which won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, may be upgraded again after the entire US relay team was stripped of its silver medal yesterday as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case, two officials with knowledge of the decision as reported by the Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been announced.

The International Olympic Committee notified the US Olympic Committee by letter that the 4x100 relay team has been disqualified and all the medals withdrawn, the officials said. The letter asks the USOC to collect the medals and return them to the IOC.

Gay returned his own medal last year after accepting a one-year doping suspension and the loss of results going back to July 2012, but the status of the US second-place finish in London and the medals of Gay’s relay teammates had remained in limbo until now.

President of T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis yesterday said that he has received no official confirmation on the development.

“I haven’t seen a report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but we are looking forward to the official confirmation. We have to wait on the IOC to do additional deliberation, to confirm whether or not the silver medal will be reallocated,” said Lewis.

Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member.

Gay was a member of the American team that finished second in London behind a Jamaican team anchored by Usain Bolt. The Americans set a national record in the final with a time of 37.04 seconds.

The other US team members losing medals are Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton. Kimmons, Gatlin and Bailey ran in the final with Gay.

It will be a second upgrade for local quartet of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson, who some three years ago moved from fourth to third after the Canadian team of Justyn Warner, Gavin Smellie, Oluseyi Smith and Jared Connaughton, running the third leg and on the final turn, had taken one step on the lane line, earning the team an automatic disqualification.

Lewis was adamant about the TTOC joining with the global anti-doping community, with a clear focus on protecting the clean athlete.

“TTOC has been rigourous in protecting the rights of the clean athlete and this development only highlights the need to do so.”

Gatlin, who is in Qatar for the opening Diamond League meet of the season tomorrow, told AP that he was not aware of the decision and had no comment. Gatlin, who won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, served a four-year doping ban from 2006.

Gay tested positive for steroids at the US championships in 2013. He received a reduced suspension—rather than a two-year ban— because he cooperated with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation that led to an eight-year ban for his former coach, Jon Drummond.

Gay’s results were annulled going back to July 15, 2012, the date when he first used a product containing a banned substance.

If the London medals are reallocated, the silver will go to T&T, who finished third in 38.12 seconds. The bronze would go to the French team which placed fourth in 38.16 seconds.

“Our athletes were denied the opportunity or moreso the glory to stand on the podium and receive the silver medal. This latest development strengthens the unwavering effort of the TTOC in protecting the rights of the clean athlete,” said Lewis.

The rules of track and field’s world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, mandated that the entire US team be disqualified, but the final decision was up to the IOC.

Drummond was the coach of the US relay team in London and placed Gay on the team. According to the USADA decision in Drummond’s case, the athlete took a banned substance in July 2012 with the coach’s knowledge.

The IOC has previously stripped US relay teams of medals retroactively for doping, including three teams from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The US was stripped of gold in the women’s 4x400 and bronze in the 4x100 following Marion Jones’ admission of doping. Jones returned her medals, but her teammates appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to keep theirs and won their case in 2010. The court said IAAF rules at the time did not allow entire teams to be disqualified because of doping by one athlete.

The IOC also stripped the US men’s 4x400 relay of their Sydney gold after a doping admission by Antonio Pettigrew.

In 2012, American runner Crystal Cox was stripped of her gold medal from the 4x400 relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics after admitting to doping. The IOC did not disqualify the rest of the team because it was unclear which rules were in effect at the time.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 09:33:52 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Lewis: TTOC yet to receive confirmation
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2015, 08:59:27 PM »
Lewis: TTOC yet to receive confirmation
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Thursday, May 14 2015 (T&T Newsday)


Brian Lewis, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)

AMIDST MULTIPLE reports across world media yesterday which indicated that the United States’ men’s 4x100m relay team was stripped of their London 2012 Olympic silver medals as a consequence of Tyson Gay’s drug ban in May 2014, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), Brian Lewis, revealed that the local governing body has not yet received any official confirmation of these recent happenings from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Just after noon yesterday, several internationally accredited media corporations ran with similar stories depicting that the, “IOC wrote to the US Olympic Committee on Wednesday, telling them to collect the medals from Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton”. The aforementioned are the remaining members of the US 4x100m team who have now been told to follow in the footsteps of Gay, and return their medals. Gay’s Olympic medal was returned to the IOC when his ban was announced in May 2014.

At the London Summer Games relay final, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Yohan Blake (36.84 seconds) blasted to victory ahead of eventual runners-up USA’s Gatlin, Gay, Bailey and Kimmons (37.04) while TT quartet of Marc Burns, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callendar and Richard Thompson settled for bronze in 38.12.

If these rumours of the US being stripped of their medals are indeed true, the local team will automatically propel into second position and be awarded with Olympic silver, while France bumps up from fourth into third position. However, speaking to Lewis yesterday, he admitted to being aware of the circulating news but opted to veer away from public speculation and await the official correspondence from the IOC.

“We, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, have not received any correspondence or notification from the IOC,” the TTOC boss affirmed. “I sent an email earlier (yesterday) to the IOC, asking for some clarification on this particular matter. I’m hoping to receive a response by (this) morning because they (IOC) are a couple hours ahead of us.”

Lewis also noted that by following protocol, the IOC at this point in time would expect the TTOC to adapt in the absence of official communication, a reasonable and appropriate position.

“I would rather not comment or speculate further but what this continues to highlight is the importance of us taking the necessary steps as an Olympic movement, sporting world and TTOC, to protect the rights of clean athletes. We have to rigorous and relentless in protecting the rights of the clean athletes,” added Lewis.

Reiterating the importance and stern stance taken by the TTOC against doping in sport, the local Olympic fraternity joined forces with the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation and Ministry of Sport over the weekend to inaugurally serve as this nation’s official National Anti- Doping Organisation (NADO) for the Caribbean Zone Men’s Olympic Beach Volleyball qualifiers.

“We were insistent that we had to have in-competition testing because we must always be in compliance with the world anti-doping act and have to tangibly display that we are determined in the jurisdiction of Trinidad and Tobago to protect the rights of clean athletes. I look forward to receiving some official correspondence from the IOC. This is a matter that has been ongoing for quite some time since it was announced that Tyson Gay had those analytical findings. The TTOC is just as anxious as everyone else to have closure in this particular matter,” Lewis concluded.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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TTOC boss: No word on upgrade from IOC
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2015, 01:04:50 AM »
TTOC boss: No word on upgrade from IOC
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Friday, May 15 2015 (T&T Newsday)


TRINIDAD AND Tobago are yet to receive official confirmation of an Olympic medal upgrade from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following reports of the United States’ recent men’s 4x100-metre relay silver- medal stripping on Wednesday.

Local TTOC president, Brian Lewis said yesterday that a response is still pending from the IOC, having sent an e-mail of enquiry prior to the media frenzy two days ago.

However, Lewis said he is yet to receive correspondence from the IOC since the committee’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, is currently closed due to a hectic Ascension Day holiday weekend.

“We have not had any official feedback from the IOC concerning this matter since my e-mail to them on Wednesday,” said Lewis yesterday.

“But we are aware that this is a big holiday weekend in Switzerland and expect to be informed by Monday.”

The TTOC boss reiterated the importance of following Olympic protocol by the TTOC, consulting the IOC prior to making open and public assumptions on the matter.

“We, the TTOC, can only go with what the IOC says. It is all over the media, yes, but these findings have not yet been confirmed by the world governing body. Until then, we wait on their correspondence,” added Lewis.

On Wednesday, multiple stories were published stating that the USA men’s 4x100m relay team was stripped of their London 2012 Olympic silver medals as a consequence of Tysoin Gay’s drug ban in May 2014.

The former 100m and 200m world champion was then suspended for a year after testing positive for a banned anabolic substance.

According to reports, the IOC wrote officials of the US Olympic Committee and revealed that the entire team must return their medals.

The other athletes on the US team were Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Darvis Patton, Jeffery Demps and Trell Kimmons.

If reports are confirmed, by the IOC, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman, Richard Thompson, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns who placed third in the event will be bumped up into silver medal position, while fourth placed France will be elevated to third.
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TTOC gets update on medal reallocation
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2015, 11:50:45 PM »
TTOC gets update on medal reallocation
By Mark Pouchet (T&T Express)
Published on May 21, 2015, 8:58 pm AST


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) informed the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) yesterday that it had officially begun the process that could lead to reallocation of medals from the London 2012 Games.

TTOC president Brian Lewis said that the IOC had confirmed to the TTOC yesterday that the IOC had officially written the United States Olympic athletes stripping United States of their London 2012 silver medal.

"They now have 21 days to respond. If there is no objection within the 21 days, then the IOC will consider re-allocation," TTOC president Brian Lewis said.

Lewis said the IOC had advised there were a number of factors to consider, including the re-classification under the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF).

"Once these (factors) have been considered, a recommendation for re-allocation will be made. And it is at that point only that the national Olympic committee involved, in this case us (TTOC) will be officially notified," Lewis said.

Lewis added that the IOC had indicated that the process is "a bit drawn out" but that the process had to be followed.

"(For me) to say anything outside of that, it would be inappropriate and premature to speculate on the re-classification or if there is to be a reallocation" Lewis said.

"So no decision has been made as yet about reclassifying T&T pending the response of the US Olympic athletes," Lewis concluded.

If Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard "Torpedo" Thompson are upgraded to Olympic Games men's 4x100 metres silver, it would be the quartet's second promotion. Thompson was actually the fourth man to cross the finish line in the London sprint relay final, anchoring T&T to a 38.12 seconds clocking. A lane violation, however, led to the disqualification of third-placed Canada, and T&T moved into the bronze position.

American track star Tyson Gay received a one-year doping ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in 2013, and his results, starting from July 15, 2012, were annulled. Included on that list of disqualified results was the August 11 Olympic 4x100m final, United States having finished second to Jamaica.

Gay returned his silver medal, last year. And now, his teammates in the championship race-Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin and Ryan Bailey-have been asked to do the same. Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton, who ran in the qualifying round, will also have to hand in their medals.

If the medals are reallocated, T&T will be promoted from bronze to silver, and France, from fourth to bronze.

If London 2012 men's 4x100m silver is awarded to T&T, the country's best ever Olympic performance would get even better-one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
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US can appeal IOC stripping of medals
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2015, 12:21:00 AM »
US can appeal IOC stripping of medals
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Friday, May 22 2015 (T&T Newsday)


Trinidad and Tobago's (from left) Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and
Richard Thompson celebrate a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.


The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has indicated that the matter involving the stripping of USA’s 2012 Olympic 4x100m relay silver medal is still ongoing and yet to reach a conclusion.

Speaking to Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president, Brian Lewis, yesterday, he revealed that the IOC has finally responded to an email of enquiry which he sent to the governing body last week.

“What the IOC has said categorically to us is that the process is still ongoing,” remarked Lewis. “The US Olympic Committee athletes, having been notified, now have 21 days to respond. If they don’t object (to the decision), the IOC will now meet to consider, and they will take on board a number of factors including the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) reclassification recommendation.”

Lewis is unsure though when the US Olympic Committee was officially notified. International reports on May 13 revealed that the entire USA 4x100m relay team was stripped of their London 2012 Olympic silver medals as a consequence of a positive test of US sprinter Tyson Gay. The former 100m and 200m world champion Gay was suspended for a year after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid. The 32-year-old returned his London 2012 medal when his suspension was announced in May 2014. Now the IOC later indicated to US Olympic authorities that the whole team (Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps, Darvis Patton) must return their medals.

Lewis added: “Whatever decision the IOC comes to, it is at that point that they will notify the National Olympic Committee concerned, which in this case is ours. At this particular point in time, no decision has been made with regards to the reclassification or the reallocation. With the IOC having confirmed that the process is still ongoing, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has to await the results of that particular process that is ongoing.”

If reports are confirmed by the IOC, TT’s bronze medal quartet of Keston Bledman, Richard Thompson, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns will be bumped up into silver medal position, while fourth placed France will be elevated to third. It would be a remarkable ending for the TT men who initially finished fourth in the final but fortune favoured them as Canada — who placed third — were disqualified for a lane violation.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2015, 12:43:50 AM by Socapro »
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IOC makes team USA's disqualification official
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2015, 08:19:19 PM »
IOC makes team USA's disqualification official
By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
May 22nd, 2015 7:41am



The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today outlined the rules regarding the punishment of TEAM U.S.A’s men’s 4x100m at the London Olympics. Tyson Gay, the joint second fastest man of all time, who tested positive for a banned substance outside of competition on May 16, 2013 and during the US Championships in June 2013 triggered the team’s disqualification.

The release states, following the sanctions received by Tyson Gay from USA Track and Field (USATF), and based upon the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the USA men’s 4 x 100m relay team, composed of Kennith Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, David Petrell Kimmons and Darvis Patton, who won silver at the 2012 London Olympic Games, has been disqualified.

The sanctions issued by the USATF were as follows:

(i) A one-year period of ineligibility commencing on 23 June 2013, in accordance with IAAF Rule 40.2.

(ii) Disqualification of all Tyson Gay’s results since and including 15 July 2012, in accordance with IAAF Rule 40.8.

As this disqualification period covers the 2012 London Olympic Games, the IAAF has informed the IOC that, according to its rules, the team must automatically be disqualified.

More specifically, according to IAAF Rule 41.3(a), “the results of any relay team in which the Athlete competed from the date the positive Sample was collected or other violation occurred through to the commencement of any Provisional Suspension or Ineligibility period shall be disqualified, with all resulting consequences for the relay team, including the forfeiture of all titles, awards, medals, points and prize money”.

The IOC has requested that the silver medals and diplomas be returned; and the results of the 2012 London Olympic Games will be modified by the IAAF.

Some information inside this story was obtained from the Olympic.org website, the official website of the Olympic movement.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2015, 09:17:12 PM by Socapro »
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Lewis calls for swift Olympic medal resolution
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2015, 04:14:14 PM »
Lewis calls for swift Olympic medal resolution
Monday, June 15 2015 (T&T Newsday)


TTOC president Brian Lewis

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to speed up the process to re-distribute medals from the London 2012 4x100 metres relay, claiming it is “not fair on clean athletes”.

This follows last month’s announcement that the United States team which initially won silver behind Jamaica are to be retrospectively disqualified following the one year suspension awarded to team member Tyson Gay after he tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2013. Jamaica finished ahead of the United States in a world record time of 36.84 to take gold in the Olympic Stadium, while Trinidad and Tobago earned bronze in 38.12 to finish ahead of fourth place France.

The Trinidadian and French teams will presumably each move up one position, but full details are yet to be revealed and no specific timeline has been given for the redistribution process.

“I would like the IOC to review the process and ensure its fair to the clean athletes,” Lewis told insidethegames.”The process currently is not fair to the clean athletes.

It is long and drawn out. Notwithstanding that there is due process considerations, it’s not respectful to the athletes who are to receive a reallocation to have to wait for a protracted period of time. I respectfully believe it’s an issue and a process that requires review.”

When asked about the process last week, IOC communications director Mark Adams said that he thought no action would occur until the medals have been physically returned by the US athletes, something that has not yet happened.

Others have suggested the International Association of Athletics Federations have to be involved to coordinate the process.

As well as Gay, who has since returned to competition, other US team members include Justin Gatlin, who completed a four-year doping ban in 2010, following a two-year suspension imposed in 2001 but reduced on appeal

Also affected are Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps, David Petrell Kimmons and Darvis Patton.
« Last Edit: June 15, 2015, 05:12:12 PM by Socapro »
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IOC confirms silver medal reallocation
« Reply #15 on: July 02, 2015, 11:22:46 AM »
IOC confirms silver medal reallocation
Thursday, 02 July 2015 07:41 (TTOC.org)


T&T Men 4x100m Relay Team on medal podium at London 2012 Olympics

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee has received official confirmation from the International Olympic Committee that the London 2012 men's 4 X 100 sprint relay team will be reallocated the silver medal.

As a part of the process the TTOC is required to return the bronze medals, diplomas and pins the team received by 18th July 2015.

The TTOC will work with the athletes to ensure the IOC deadline is met.

This comes after the entire US men’s sprint relay team was stripped of its Silver medal from the 2012 London Olympics in May as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case. T&T placed 3rd in the 2012 4x100 Relay event, clocking in at 38.12 seconds.

Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member. The reallocation now means that Bronze will now go to the French team which placed 4th in 38.16 seconds.
 
Brian Lewis
President TTOC
« Last Edit: July 02, 2015, 05:52:57 PM by Socapro »
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Silver confirmed for TT 4x100 relay men
« Reply #16 on: July 03, 2015, 07:00:44 AM »
Silver confirmed for TT 4x100 relay men
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Friday, July 3 2015 (T&T Newsday)


After seven weeks of uncertainty, Trinidad and Tobago’s 2012 Olympic Men’s 4x100m relay team received confirmation yesterday that they will be upgraded from bronze to silver, according to official information relayed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In a short statement issued by Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president, Brian Lewis, yesterday, he stated that authorised confirmation was relayed to him by the IOC affirming the reallocation of medals to the National 4x100m team.

The local quartet receiving this Olympic upgrade comprises of newly crowned National Men’s 100m champion Keston Bledman, national record holder Richard ‘Torpedo’ Thompson, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns.

“We have received official confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and they have clearly communicated with us that we have a deadline that they would like us to meet which is July 18 to return the bronze medals, diplomas and pins,” explained the TTOC boss.

On May 13, it was revealed that the United States team which initially won silver behind Jamaica, were to be retrospectively disqualified following the one year suspension of team member Tyson Gay after he tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2013.

Jamaica finished ahead of the US in a world record time of 36.84 seconds to take gold in the Olympic Stadium, while team TT earned bronze in 38.12s to finish ahead of fourth-placed France. France are expected to be upgraded to bronze medal position.

“I have already written a letter to communicate this (deadline) with the athletes in question, and we will work with the athletes to ensure that we can meet that deadline so that the reallocation process can progress in accord with the IOC’s timeline.

I’m comfortable and happy that the timeline has a particular date because it brings certainty to the process,” added the former Harvard rugby player. Upon meeting the deadline, Lewis assured that he will be in frequent contact with the IOC with regards to them sending out the silver medals to TT.

When they are received, the TTOC is expected to arrange an appropriate presentation of the silver medals from London 2012 to the talented relay squad. Even though pleased with the IOC and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) due process, Lewis was a bit critical of the length of time it took to resolve this matter.

He however, remains committed to voicing his idea to officials for a speedier process in settling issues of this magnitude. “The process has taken a bit long,” Lewis stated.

“As I have always said, the IOC has their process but I have articulated a perspective that it is still a bit too protracted and unfair on the clean athletes.”
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BITTER-SWEET ...T&T officially upgraded to Olympic 4x1 silver
« Reply #17 on: July 03, 2015, 07:14:42 AM »
BITTER-SWEET
T&T officially upgraded to Olympic 4x1 silver

By Kwame Laurence (T&T Express)
Published on Jul 3, 2015, 12:01 am AST


PROMOTED: Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard “Torpedo” Thompson, left, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman pose on the podium with their bronze medals after the 2012 Olympic Games men’s 4x100 metres final, in London, England. T&T have been upgraded to silver, following the disqualification of United States. —Photo: AFP

It’s official! The 2012 Olympic Games men’s 4x100 metres silver medal goes to Trinidad and Tobago.

“This is bitter-sweet,” anchorman Richard “Torpedo” Thompson told the Express, yesterday. “We live for a moment and not necessarily a monetary award. We work hard to cross the line, hold up the national flag, stand on the podium and be happy in that moment we worked so hard for. We were deprived of that opportunity.”

Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Thompson have been upgraded from bronze to silver because of American Tyson Gay’s doping infraction.

Gay was handed a one-year ban after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in 2013. His results, starting from July 15, 2012, were annulled. Gay was part of the United States team that finished second to Jamaica in the Olympic 4x100m final on August 11.

Seven weeks ago, the IOC stripped the Americans of the silver medal, clearing the way for the T&T upgrade.

“If the system was 100 per cent efficient,” said Thompson, “Gay would have gotten a two-year ban, and Justin Gatlin would not be running anymore. There are flaws in the system, and Gay should not have been rewarded for cooperating. He should do that anyway. Gatlin failed two tests, and should have been banned for life.”

The upgrade to Olympic silver is T&T’s second. Thompson was the fourth sprinter past the finish line in the 2012 Olympic final. However, third-placed Canada were disqualified for a lane violation, and bronze was awarded to the T&T quartet in 38.12 seconds.

At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, the same T&T sprint relay quartet earned silver.

“Crossing the line second in Beijing was far more significant than the weird series of events that played out in London. It’s not necessarily the way you want to win a medal, but we’re thankful. Hopefully, next time we’ll win gold on the track. That’s what we’re shooting for at the Rio Games next year.”

In a press release, yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president, Brian Lewis said his organisation “received official confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the London 2012 men’s 4x100 sprint relay team will be reallocated the silver medal.

“The TTOC,” the release continued, “is required to return the bronze medals, diplomas and pins by 18th July 2015. The TTOC will work with the athletes to ensure the IOC deadline is met.”

France originally finished fifth in the final, but can now boast of bronze.

T&T’s London 2012 medal haul has improved to one gold, one silver and two bronze medals—the country’s best ever Olympic showing. And “Torpedo” Thompson is now a triple Olympic silver medallist.

“That rolls off the tongue a little better. It’s something I’m proud of. I’ve worked hard for moments like that, and making four Olympic finals is big for me as well. But I want more. When I stepped onto the world stage in 2008, Ato Boldon was the benchmark for me. He has four individual Olympic medals. I want to emulate some of what Ato achieved individually.”

Thompson has been struggling with a knee injury this season, and has called off his 2015 campaign. Last Saturday, he reached the NGC-Sagicor National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Open Track and Field Championship men’s 100m final, but opted out of the championship race.

“Calling off 2015 and missing Worlds was a hard decision. Coming into Senior Champs, I was doing everything possible to try to get back to 100 per cent, but I had no work on the track for close to two months. No excuses, but my fitness was not there.

“These things happen in sport, and sometimes setbacks are blessings in disguise. I had to take a smart and mature decision pushing towards Rio 2016. I didn’t want to jeopardise my ability to make a significant contribution to the country at the Olympics.”
« Last Edit: July 03, 2015, 02:08:46 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

 

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