byLarry Eder
INDIANAPOLIS (USA): USATF has released their report on the disqualifications that occurred at the US Indoor Championships. Regarding the disqualification of Gabe Grunewald in the women’s 3000m where she clipped Jordan Hasay; USATF said that the initial decision by the Jury of Appeals was based on video evidence which was projected on a bed sheet. After being later viewed on a computer the decision was reversed by the Jury, meaning Grunewald was disqualified. Jordan Hasay’s withdrawal from the team and her coach Alberto Salazar’s withdrawal of his appeal meant that Grunewald was reinstated. In a case of mistaken identity, in the men’s 3000m, Salazar protested that Andrew Bumbalough interfered with Galen Rupp, the head referee viewed a video of the race and disqualified Bumbalough. When Bumbalough was made aware of his DQ, it was too late to appeal. The report recommends that the Rules Committee should consider amending the Rules of Competition so that mistakes can be corrected if they are discovered after the meet. They will look into how the result can be corrected.
