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MVP declines comment on ruling
Published: Friday | December 4, 2009
Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer
MVP President Bruce James. - file
Normally quick off the mark, the MVP Track & Field Club has declined to comment on the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) disciplinary panel's recent ruling which said they will take no action against the athletes who missed the World Championships preparation camp in Nuremberg, Germany.
Last Friday, broke that the former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe-chaired JAAA disciplinary panel ruled that the required action had already been taken against the six - Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, the world 100 metres hurdles champion, Olympic and World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, the Olympic and World 400m hurdles champion, Shericka Williams in 400m) and Kaliese Spencer (fourth place in 400m hurdles). All six missed the 'mandatory' training camp.
However, when contacted, club President Bruce James said "no comment".
In a letter to Garth Gayle, honorary secretary of the JAAA, dated November 14, the disciplinary committee stated: "Having given due consideration to the matter, the committee is unanimously of the view that there is no further action that can be taken.
"A sanction was imposed against the offenders and, at the insistence of the president of the IAAF, the sanction was withdrawn. To attempt to revisit the matter would be tantamount to trying them twice," the letter stated.
Athletes' removal requested
Days before the start of the 2009 World Championships in , the Jamaica management team had asked the IAAF to remove the six athletes, all of whom skipped the camp, from the team. However, following the intervention of IAAF President Lamine Diack, who said the decision would reflect badly on the championships, the request was withdrawn.
The committee, however, was unhappy with the events which led to the boycott.
"Something needs to be done to get the coaches to be more cooperative. They need to understand that it is the JAAA that is invited to these meets and the athletes only become eligible to participate if selected by the JAAA." In closing, the letter, signed by panel members, Wolfe, Counsel Winston Spaulding and Major General John Simmonds, stated: "It should be borne in mind that the IAAF had been advised that the camp would be held and that all the athletes would be in attendance. Among other things, this would facilitate the out-of-competition drugs
by the IAAF as may be required. The failure of the athletes to attend the camp could have consequences for both the athletes and the IAAF."
The JAAA has accepted the findings, as they have on several occasions made it clear that the committee's decision is final.
Published: Friday | December 4, 2009
Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer
MVP President Bruce James. - file
Normally quick off the mark, the MVP Track & Field Club has declined to comment on the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) disciplinary panel's recent ruling which said they will take no action against the athletes who missed the World Championships preparation camp in Nuremberg, Germany.
Last Friday, broke that the former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe-chaired JAAA disciplinary panel ruled that the required action had already been taken against the six - Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, the world 100 metres hurdles champion, Olympic and World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, the Olympic and World 400m hurdles champion, Shericka Williams in 400m) and Kaliese Spencer (fourth place in 400m hurdles). All six missed the 'mandatory' training camp.
However, when contacted, club President Bruce James said "no comment".
In a letter to Garth Gayle, honorary secretary of the JAAA, dated November 14, the disciplinary committee stated: "Having given due consideration to the matter, the committee is unanimously of the view that there is no further action that can be taken.
"A sanction was imposed against the offenders and, at the insistence of the president of the IAAF, the sanction was withdrawn. To attempt to revisit the matter would be tantamount to trying them twice," the letter stated.
Athletes' removal requested
Days before the start of the 2009 World Championships in , the Jamaica management team had asked the IAAF to remove the six athletes, all of whom skipped the camp, from the team. However, following the intervention of IAAF President Lamine Diack, who said the decision would reflect badly on the championships, the request was withdrawn.
The committee, however, was unhappy with the events which led to the boycott.
"Something needs to be done to get the coaches to be more cooperative. They need to understand that it is the JAAA that is invited to these meets and the athletes only become eligible to participate if selected by the JAAA." In closing, the letter, signed by panel members, Wolfe, Counsel Winston Spaulding and Major General John Simmonds, stated: "It should be borne in mind that the IAAF had been advised that the camp would be held and that all the athletes would be in attendance. Among other things, this would facilitate the out-of-competition drugs
by the IAAF as may be required. The failure of the athletes to attend the camp could have consequences for both the athletes and the IAAF."
The JAAA has accepted the findings, as they have on several occasions made it clear that the committee's decision is final.