South African federation at risk of ban
Source: Agencies |
April 11, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Any plans Oscar Pistorius may have to run at the world championships could be further complicated after South Africa's chaotic track federation said yesterday it had suspended six board members and is at risk of suspension by the International Amateur Athletics Federation.
Athletics South Africa President James Evans said the six members ? which include vice president and former Olympic athlete Hendrick Ramaala ? "have left the sport in disarray" with their attempt to remove Evans from power.
In a statement, Evans listed deep problems within ASA. The body's bank account had been frozen, staff hadn't been paid, no team was sent to the African Youth Championships and there had been threats of legal action by the South African tax service, among other issues, Evans said.
But crucially for high-profile athletes like Pistorius and former 800-meter world champion Caster Semenya, the in-fighting and allegations of improper behavior within ASA meant it had not submitted an annual report to the world athletics body and "was placed at risk of suspension by the IAAF", Evans claimed.
Also, no selection standards or qualifying criteria had been decided on for South African athletes bidding to compete at August's world championships in Moscow.
Pistorius, the double-amputee athlete and Paralympic champion, hasn't committed to a return to competition as he faces a murder trial for the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend.
What the criteria will be is now unclear and agents for both Pistorius and Semenya said they had not been told what any of the South African athletes needed to do to be able to qualify.
Athletics South Africa President James Evans said the six members ? which include vice president and former Olympic athlete Hendrick Ramaala ? "have left the sport in disarray" with their attempt to remove Evans from power.
In a statement, Evans listed deep problems within ASA. The body's bank account had been frozen, staff hadn't been paid, no team was sent to the African Youth Championships and there had been threats of legal action by the South African tax service, among other issues, Evans said.
But crucially for high-profile athletes like Pistorius and former 800-meter world champion Caster Semenya, the in-fighting and allegations of improper behavior within ASA meant it had not submitted an annual report to the world athletics body and "was placed at risk of suspension by the IAAF", Evans claimed.
Also, no selection standards or qualifying criteria had been decided on for South African athletes bidding to compete at August's world championships in Moscow.
Pistorius, the double-amputee athlete and Paralympic champion, hasn't committed to a return to competition as he faces a murder trial for the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend.
What the criteria will be is now unclear and agents for both Pistorius and Semenya said they had not been told what any of the South African athletes needed to do to be able to qualify.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
