May the Games continue.
The world let out a collective sigh of relief, yesterday, as it was revealed that nine Olympic hopefuls were allowed to continue on their Tokyo journey despite not fulfilling the proper and august requirements. According to a tersely-written press release:
Surfers that did not meet the minimum Olympic qualification requirements were entitled to submit appeals to an independent review panel appointed by the ISA Executive Committee. On hearing an appeal and considering all factors involved, the panel was empowered to rule whether a surfer is eligible to participate in the Olympic Surfing Event Tokyo 2020. The panel considered all extenuating circumstances including, but not limited to, medically proven injury or illness preventing participation at qualifying events.
Kolohe Andino (USA) – accepted
Johanne Defay (FRA) – accepted
Joan Duru (FRA) – denied
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) – accepted
John Florence (USA) – accepted
Lakey Peterson (USA) – accepted
Kelly Slater (USA) – accepted
Jordy Smith (RSA) – accepted
Nikki van Dijk (AUS) – accepted
Not listed were the surfers – rejected
The panel consisted of :
Ms. Justine Dupont (FRA) – Chair. ISA Athletes Commission
Mr. Jakob Faerch (DEN), President, Danish Surfing & Rafting
Federation
Dr. Lee Rice (USA) – Chair, ISA Medical Commission
Mr.Gonçalo Saldahna (POR) – Member, ISA Medical Commission
For the United States team, Andino’s ankle sprain and Florence’s knee surgery were clear. Slater’s years’ old foot injury that allows him to surf good waves but not El Salvador was less a certainty but I would imagine Mr. Faerch of the Danish Surfing and Rafting Federation weighed all those circumstances properly.
Thank goodness for rules and independent review panels.
May the Games continue.