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Wednesday, August 30
Thomas withdraws appeal against Witty
Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Speed skater Chris Witty's spot on
the U.S. Olympic cycling team was assured Friday after revelations
that a challenger for her roster position tested positive for an
elevated testosterone level.
Tammy Thomas of Yazoo City, Miss., who narrowly beat Witty in
the 500-meter time trial at the Olympic trials in April, had
challenged Witty's appointment to the 27-member team that was
announced in July.
However, Thomas withdrew her appeal Friday, the deadline for
team officials to submit the final roster for the Sydney Olympics.
"The USOC determined she was ineligible to be nominated to the
Olympic team based on a positive, elevated testosterone level,"
said Sean Petty, director of athlete performance for U.S. Cycling.
Thomas also was suspended for one year by the U.S. Cycling
Federation, retroactive to April 29, the date the sample was taken.
Petty said team officials learned of the test result "late, late,
late last night."
Thomas reportedly left Colorado Springs after dropping her case
and wasn't available for comment. Her attorney, Bill Bock of
Indianapolis, declined comment when asked about the drug test.
"She decided to step aside. She feels this is in the best
interest of the U.S. cycling team," Bock said.
Although Witty is competing at this week's U.S. Nationals, she
wasn't at the velodrome Friday night.
"Chris and everyone involved with Chris is thankful of that
decision," said Jeff Benz, a San Francisco attorney who
represented Witty. "As far as I know, this thing is over. Chris is
a member of the cycling team."
Petty said the Olympic roster was submitted "with all the
appeals and challenges resolved." With the litigation apparently
concluded, Petty said it's time for the team to focus on Sydney.
"I truly believe nobody wins in this scenario," he said. "It
pits athletes against athletes, coaches against athletes, USA
Cycling against athletes. We've got a lot of good athletes who want
to go forward. It just creates a negative environment for
everyone."
Witty's case was the most high-profile of several challenges to
U.S. Cycling's selection process, which based this year's Olympic
team roster on two years of international racing results.
Earlier this week, an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of
women's sprinter Tanya Lindenmuth of Trexlertown, Pa., whose
selection had been challenged by Jennie Reed of Kirkland, Wash.
Distance specialist Mike Tillman of Santa Monica, Calif., was
another unsuccessful challenger. After his initial appeal was
rejected by the USOC, he decided not to take his case to an
arbitrator.
Another cyclist, Steve Larsen of Jacksonville, Ore., threatened
a challenge after he wasn't named to the two-member men's mountain
bike squad but his appeal never materialized.
Witty, of Park City, Utah, placed fourth at the 1998 world
cycling championships in the 500 time trial, months after winning a
speed skating silver medal in the 1,000 meters and bronze in the
1,500 at the Nagano Olympics.
When she rode against Thomas in April, Witty had concluded her
speed skating season less than a month earlier.
An arbitrator ordered a rideoff between Witty and Thomas to help
determine the disputed spot. But Thomas rode alone last Sunday
after Witty filed a counter-complaint, arguing she was denied due
process at Thomas' hearing.
Witty is trying to become the first American woman, and the
fourth person ever, to win medals at the winter and summer
Olympics.
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