MONACO - IAAF Council, meeting today in Berlin, has approved a proposal received from the organisers of the 2004 Olympic Games ATHOC to host the Shot Put event – for both men and women – at Olympia, site of the ancient Games.
Following consultation with members of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission as well as analysis of technical and logistical issues, IAAF Council agreed that the two events could take place, before the start of the main athletics programme, either on Wednesday 18 August or Thursday 19 August, with the medal ceremonies for both events taking place in the main Olympic Stadium of Athens as originally scheduled on 20 August.
President Lamine Diack said: “IAAF Council agreed unanimously that this proposal was a unique opportunity to link the ancient origins of our sport with athletics in the 21st century as well as to promote the central role of athletics in the Olympic Games. This will be a tremendous opportunity to show a worldwide audience the purity and excitement of athletics competition in a sacred setting. The Shot Put may now become one of the highlights of the Games.”
2 Positive THG Cases from Paris retests
Council was informed that the further testing of the World Championship doping control samples has now been completed by the laboratory in Paris.
There are a total of 2 “A” test positives from the 402 further tests conducted. According to IAAF procedure, no names or nationalities will be released at this time. The relevant federations have been notified who will now request an explanation from the athlete and, if necessary, proceed to the analysis of B samples. The athletes have up to 21 days to request such a test, and the B test must be analysed within 28 days of that decision.
Jon Drummond case
Council considered a formal, lengthy, report from USATF regarding the Jon Drummond incident at the IAAF World Championships in Paris. In conclusion, Council appreciated USATF’s decision to introduce extensive policy and educational changes to proactively address issues regarding the behaviour of US athletes and team officials at future international events. Nevertheless, it also agreed that a serious formal warning would be sent to Drummond regarding his conduct and to USATF, informing them that team official Michael Caine would not be given accreditation for IAAF events for a period of three years.
Jerome Young
An IOC Disciplinary Commission, set up to investigate the case of Jerome Young and has provided the IAAF with some redacted documents which are relevant to this case but insufficient to pursue this matter to arbitration.
The IAAF has written to the IOC indicating which documents it requires in order to proceed further with this case. In the event that the requested documents can be provided, the case will be reviewed under the relevant Rules in force at the time and, if necessary, referred to arbitration.
Council noted the following Transfers of Allegiance
Gregory Konchella - Kenya to Bahrain
Aliuska Lopez - Cuba to Spain
Teresa Nzola Meso - Angola to France
Du Xianhiu - China to Singapore
Guirong Zhang - China to Singapore
Road Running and Race Walking Rankings
Starting in 2004, the IAAF World Rankings will include a category for road events. The definition of the appropriate categories of road events was discussed at length and results from more than 300 road events, both running and race walking, will be analysed when this new chapter of the Rankings is launched on 23 March.
IAAF