The International Olympic Committee took back the medals Thursday of Marion Jones’ relay teammates from the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Jones was stripped of her gold medals and her results in December after admitting she used steroids at the time of the Games. Her teammates had originally refused to give up their medals, stating that it would be wrong to punish them for Jones’ wrongdoings. The eight teammates from both the 1600 meter and the 400 meter relay have hired a U.S. attorney to fight the ruling, which if fought may end up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the ruling sticks then the standings would be adjusted, giving Jamaica the gold, Russia silver, and Nigeria bronze in the 1600 meter relay. In the 400 meter relay, France would receive the bronze for coming in fourth after the United States. Though the IOC has disqualified the runners, they will be given a hearing that will take place in the upcoming months, right before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The timeliness of this story is an important element because it comes at a time when the Olympics are already in the headlines. The 2008 Beijing Olympics have already sparked controversy, therefore people are already hearing much about the Games in the news. This controversy escalated last year when Marion Jones admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The recent ruling of her teammates being stripped of their medals seems to be one of the final chapters in this ongoing investigation. The story is of human interest because of the fact that these Olympic gold champions achieved greatness through illegal means. There is still conflict however because eight people are being punished for one of their teammates violations. (The Toronto Star, 4/10/08,)
The most interesting sports story of the past week was the Red Sox jersey that was dug out from the new Yankee Stadium Sunday. Construction worker and Red Sox fan Gino Castignoli planted the jersey in the cement with the intention of cursing the Yankees. Other construction workers on the site phoned in tips about Castignoli and where the shirt may be hidden. It took about five hours of drilling for workers to dig up the jersey from under two feet of concrete. The Yankees may pursue legal action, but according to a spokesman for the Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, criminal charges might not apply. (The Toronto Star, 4/14/08)
28-year-old Trevor Immelman took home one of the biggest prizes in golf Sunday by winning the 72nd Masters Tournament. (The Toronto Star, 4/14/08) The Toronto Blue Jays lost 4-3 Monday to the Baltimore Orioles in a battle for first place in the AL East league. (The Toronto Star, 4/15/08) Six people were inducted to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Saturday. (The Toronto Star, 4/13/08) The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 Friday, crushing their Stanley Cup playoff chances. (The Toronto Star, 4/12/08) Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Jamaica Jackson died Monday at the age of 26. (The Toronto Star, 4/15/08)
