Twists and
July 21
Monday of this week, Mary and her team, Seven Cycles, appealed the USA Cycling decision to give the spot to Sue. USA Cycling’s CEO Gerard Bisceglia said that McConneloug’s case was presented to an official arbitrator in New York City on July 19th, with the decision expected July 20th. The suit charged that USA Cycling was wrong to add in other (namely, Sandpoint) points in its decision to give Haywood the Olympic berth, when the UCI itself did not record points for that race.
At 5pm yesterday word came down that the arbitration between Sue and Mary was over. The position that had been awarded Sue was revoked and given to Mary.
I have grown to know both riders fairly well and I cannot believe what has happened. I am still in shock, confused and I imagine those reading this are as well. I guess when so much is on the line, and when you’ve struggled so hard to get to Athens, you will do everything in your power to assure there was no stone left unturned in your efforts. I have a feeling there will be more to this story however the United States had until today at noon to turn in the roster for Olympians headed to the Games. Either way, I am sure both riders are sick with the turn of events. Both have experienced the feeling of thinking they held the position as well as having it taken away. I feel loss for them both. It’s never good when a story ends like this.
Stay tuned.
