Pettigrew, Cox cases
In the case of Antonio Pettigrew (US, athletics), participant in the men?s 400m race (7th place) and the 4x400m men?s relay team race (1st place) at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the EB approved the reallocation of medals and diplomas for both events. Pettigrew was disqualified in August 2008 but the EB delayed a decision on reallocation until it had received information stemming from investigations into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) sports-doping scandal. Having confirmed that no further information on other athletes taking part in the two above-mentioned events would be forthcoming, the EB agreed to reallocate the medals and diplomas. The teams from Nigeria, Jamaica and the Bahamas that finished behind the US team in the 4x400m race will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Read the full decision on the reallocation of Pettigrew?s diploma for the men?s 400m race here.
In the case of Crystal Cox (US, athletics) who participated in the 4x400m women?s relay team race at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (1st place), the EB decided to disqualify the athlete and request the return of her medal. It is now within the remit of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to interpret its rules as to whether the disqualification of the athlete would have any effect on the results of the US relay team. Read the full decision here.
Ethical matters
The EB received a report from the IOC Ethics Commission regarding the alleged illegal sale of tickets for the Olympic Games that was first revealed by the British newspaper Sunday Times in June 2012. The Ethics Commission has received evidence from the newspaper and noted that each individual case merits a detailed analysis involving the hearing of all parties, particularly with regard to the existence of deliberate intent to breach the various rules that govern the sale of tickets for the Olympic Games. As a result, the EB approved the recommendation from the Ethics Commission that it continue its investigation as it is currently not in a position to recommend provisional measures ahead of the London 2012 Games.
Passport-less athlete approved to compete
The EB also approved a request to allow marathon runner Guor Marial to compete in the London 2012 Games as an Independent Olympic Athlete (IOA) under the Olympic flag. Marial was born in what is now South Sudan, which does not currently have a recognised National Olympic Committee. The athlete, who does not hold a passport from any country, is a permanent resident (refugee status green card) of the United States but not a citizen. As such, he is unable to compete for the United States, South Sudan or Sudan. Marial qualified for the Games with an A Standard time on 2 October 2011.
Last London 2012 report to the Executive Board before the Games
For the last time before the opening of their Olympic Games, London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair Sebastian Coe reported to the IOC Executive Board on the progress being made in the preparations for the Games. Joined by LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton, Sports Director Debbie Jevans and Communications Director Jackie Brock-Doyle, Coe and his team outlined how LOCOG had been handling the final pre-Games period and their operations since the opening of the Olympic Village. Coe also underlined the huge success that had been encountered by the Olympic Torch Relay on its tour around the UK, as it spent its first full day in London. IOC President Jacques Rogge and Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald thanked LOCOG for their hard work and wished them well for the Games.