(ATR) Isaac Makwala demonstrated his health in an individual 200 meter qualifier at the IAAF World Championships in London after being held out of the 400 meter final and 200 meter heat for medical reasons.
Makwala was cleared for return by the IAAF following a written request from the Botswana Athletics Federation, which has also filed a complaint with the IAAF for the treatment of their sprinter.
"The manner in which our athlete was treated has hurt us all, as there was no conclusive evidence of the disease," said Botswana sports minister Thapelo Olopeng according to Reuters. "Our officials have prepared a report and we have filed our concerns with IAAF."
Makwala returned to the track on Aug. 9 for an individual 200 meter time trial preceding the 200 meter semi-final later in the evening. He qualified with a time of 20.20 seconds and did push ups on the track afterwards to demonstrate that he was in good shape. No competitors will be removed from the original qualifiers to make room for Makwala.
The case is similar to the United States’ women’s 4x100 meter team at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The U.S. ran an individual trial following a lane violation by another country which caused them to drop the baton in the qualifiers.
The 30-year old is one of 30 athletes at the world championships in London who had fallen victim to gastrointestinal distress and severe vomiting. There have been two reported cases of the norovirus by organizers of the competition.
The IAAF did not allow Makwala to compete in the 400 meter final or 200 meter qualifying heat following a medical investigation on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The IAAF has received backlash for their handling of the situation.
The athlete told the BBC he believed he was fit to run in the original qualifier on Tuesday and attempted to enter the stadium. However, officials and security refused his entry citing concerns about spreading the "very virulent" norovirus outbreak.
Makwala finished second in his semi-final heat, pushing him through to the final on Aug. 10.
ISA Holds First Coaching Course Supported by Olympic Solidarity
The International Surfing Association (ISA) has held its first coaching course supported by the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity initiative.
The ISA Surf Level 1 and Surf Level 2 courses took place in Fiji from July 20-27 and were done in collaboration with the Fiji Surfing Association and the Fijian National Olympic Committee.
Surfing is now able to access the IOC initiatives to support the global development of the sport because it is now part of the sports program of the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The support from Olympic Solidarity meant surf coaches from Oceania were given access to a higher level of surf coaching, training and methodology through the courses in Fiji.
Six of the participating surf coaches came from Fiji, three from Vanuatu and three from Samoa, with expert instruction from ISA course presenter Lee Ryan of New Zealand
"Typically, many of these coaches have had the mentality to just get out there and give it a go but the ISA courses were key to help change their mindset to become more organized in their coaching delivery," Ryan said in a statement.
The ISA plans to hold additional courses in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala in the near future.
Lacrosse Restructures Federation
The International Lacrosse Federation added three new members to its board of directors as part of a governance shakeup.
A statement from the federation says the restructuring was done with "international development, Olympic vision and world championship platform evolution," in mind.
An Olympic Vision Director and Legal Council have been appointed to the board, and the appointment of an Athletes Commission Director is still to come. FIL appointed a chief executive in June to kickstart its governance changes.
"The appointment of our first CEO and our first inclusion in the multi-sport World Games are important steps towards achieving our strategic vision of Olympic inclusion and provide an excellent platform for the organization to move forward," Sue Redfern, FIL board president said in a statement.
"The Board and General Assembly have recognized a need for change, while ensuring the continuity of the development program, both in new countries and in helping existing member countries grow even stronger."
Written by Kevin Nutley, Gerard Farek and Aaron Bauer.
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