Sturrup and BAAA at war
Jamaica Observer, July 23, 2003
NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – Current world 100-metre leader, Chandra Sturrup, and her local track and field governing body, the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association (BAAA), are at war over scheduling for major events this summer.
Sturrup has indicated she will not defend her 100-metre title at the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic, and the BAAA is threatening not to enter her in the 9th IAAF World Championship unless she satisfies stipulations that include competing at Pan Am.
After a tremendous start to the 2003 season in which she has scored five big international wins, Sturrup is on course for the US$1 million jackpot in the Golden League Series, having won at both events so far – in Oslo and Rome, where she ran a 2003 world best 10.89 seconds.
Already annoyed that Sturrup skipped the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championship earlier this month in Grenada for which she was selected, the BAAA has told Sturrup she must compete in the 100 and sprint relay events at the Pan Am Games, and make herself available for pre-Pan-Am and pre-World Championship camps to be eligible for the Paris World Championship from August 23-31.
Sturrup is not prepared to disrupt her bid for the Golden League jackpot by complying with the demands of the BAAA, and BAAA President, Senator Desmond Bannister, has called a press conference for today to make an announcement over the dispute.