British Olympic Association chairman to stay strict with Team Great Britain athletes
Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association, has recently made it known that he will not take a flexible attitude while dealing with the Team Great Britain athletes. He has also affirmed that voluntary changes to the eligibility rules will not be made regardless of what the Court of Arbitration for Sport decides in the later part of this week.
Moynihan’s tough talk comes after two athletes, Dwain Chambers and David Millar, were found with dope in their blood stream but would like to join the GB Olympic team. There is a strong opposition among British and Northern Irish athletes who are of the opinion that Chambers and Millar should not be part of the Olympic team due to doping.
The issue of Chambers and Millar has come to light after the American track athlete, Lashawn Merritt, appealed the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about a four year ban imposed on him due to the intake of a banned drug. The decision on Merritt’s matter will be taken by the CAS on Thursday. In the event that a favourable decision is announced, other banned athletes will be given the opportunity to challenge the decisions made by the IOC. Chambers and Millar are the two who are hoping to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics this way.
Moynihan made the following comments regarding the matter: "Chambers and Millar, both talented and intelligent men, realized that the moment they turned to a cocktail of performance enhancing drugs they were turning their backs on an Olympic future. Every time I see them compete I feel a tragic sense of sadness and loss at their decision...But he has never been under any illusion that subsequent remorse - a day, a week, or at any stage in the future of his sporting career was going to change the consequences of the decision he had taken."
The London 2012 Olympics are going to be held for the third time in the British capital. The organizers and athletes are hoping to make this the most memorable Olympics thus far and are looking to avoid any controversy and issues relating to the event.
Tags: