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FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler responded today on the controversial deselection of gymnast Thema Williams and accreditation of her alternate, Marisa Dick, for the Rio 2016 Olympic Test event on 17 April 2016.
And FIG’s response was identical, despite the specificity of the questions, to Wired868, Williams’ attorney Dr Emir Crowne and an unspecified number of citizen journalists and curious observers.
It was penned as though straight from the FIG’s legal department.
The FIG confirmed: Williams was registered, her place was taken by Dick, Dick qualified for the August Olympic Games, and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has until May 9 to confirm that it will send an athlete to Rio.
Most tellingly, the FIG considers that the “dispute between Thema Williams and the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF) is an internal affair of Trinidad and Tobago, its legal and sports authorities.”
And “since the qualification place earned by Marisa Dick is nominative, no name change or replacement is possible.”
Dick, according to the FIG, is Trinidad and Tobago’s only legitimate choice.
Dick placed 14th with a total of 51.25.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The stance is unlikely to have surprised Williams’ attorneys, Keith Scotland and Crowne, since the FIG might also be culpable in the furore.
According to FIG rules: “In the case of injuries or illness of any gymnast between the time of accreditation and 24 hours prior to the beginning of CI (Qualifications), the NF (national federation) is allowed to change any accreditation.
“The gymnast injured or ill must return his/her accreditation and another gymnast can be accredited. 24 hours prior to the beginning of CI, no new accreditations can be delivered. The 24 hour period is the one which precedes the start of the day of CI of the respective team/gymnast.”
The Rio Test event started on April 16 while the women’s artistic competition started at 9 am on April 17.
Williams told Wired868 that she returned her accreditation after 9.15 am on Saturday April 16. Dick, who was already at least nine hours into her dash to Rio by then, could not be accredited before that point.
But no medical certificate was given to FIG and Williams had not even visited the doctor yet, although it was clearly within the 24-hour period.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Williams said she eventually saw a doctor before lunch and was cleared to compete, once authorised to do so by the TTGF.
So far, all indications are that this medical clearance was communicated verbally. That may become a legal issue at some point.
The FIG, so far, is not volunteering to get involved in the potential quagmire.
Williams’ attorneys suggested on Wednesday that they will petition the TTOC to have the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Tripartite Commission study Williams’ case while the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is another potential route.
Both bodies have jurisdiction over FIG and might force them to reveal timelines, despite their unwillingness to do so to date. It might be too late for Williams to expect help from the Tripartite Commission, though, as on April 26, the IOC body confirmed its list of gymnasts for the August Olympic Games.
For Williams, it remains a race against the clock.
(Courtesy Wired868)
(FIG Official Communication)
Considering number of requests and questions received from various stakeholders and the media from Trinidad and Tobago concerning the registration of the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics athletes Thema Williams and Marisa Dick at the Test Event (Last Olympic Qualification) in Rio de Janeiro and FIG’s qualification rules for the Olympic Games, FIG releases the following Statement:
1. The dispute between Thema Williams and the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation is an internal affair of Trinidad and Tobago, its legal and sports authorities.
2. We confirm that the initial registration of Thema Williams to participate at the Qualifying Event in Rio was duly made by the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation, respecting the FIG’s rules. The place was not nominative and the Federation therefore had the free choice to select and register at their discretion.
3. We confirm that the name change from Thema Williams to Marisa Dick was duly made by the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation, respecting the FIG’s rules (including time limits) which allow such a change.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
4. We confirm that Marisa Dick has successfully competed at the qualifying event in Rio and has obtained a nominative place to participate at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
5. This place must be confirmed by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee as soon as possible, but no later than May 9, 2016. Failure to do so will result in the automatic invitation of the next best ranked All-Around athlete from the qualifying event in Rio (1st Reserve).
6. Since the qualification place earned by Marisa Dick is nominative, no name change or replacement is possible.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
No Thema No Olympics I say! Send Marisa home to Canada.
Send no one. That should solve the issue.!!! This is so wrong on every front.
Hear nah I’m just thinking. The amount of holes in this sordid affair..if the TTGF and dem actually get through to send Dick they will have earned Elite Status in corruption! Ah mean to have FIG eating out of yuh hand when we thinking this bobol is just local. If Lose Shue and dem GT….they could write a manual for other administrations to follow. This is why we must not let up the pressure. No 9 day wonder!
Chelsea Dee the Minister of Sports CANNOT intervene. Check the guidelines for Olympic athletes. Governments cannot get involved.
call it highway robbery .my heart bleeds for Thelma ,a grievous wrong has been done to her psyche the damage may be irreparable ,when and where is the next international gymnastics competition
She’ll be OK man. Great things are in store for her.
If FIG say she was accredited on time it would mean that long before Goddert’s letter was sent the TTGF had notified FIG of the change in athlete
Or they broke their rules and trying to cover up
Broke their own rules and covering it up is a serious possibility at this point
This is nexactly how all these international organizations operate as though they are a law onto themselves. That is why FIFA iis in such a hot mess now. Notice how they close ranks when their itegrity is questioned. I don’t expect anything to come out of this situation. The TTGF officials will escape with their wicked act
So why hide the accreditation timeliness if everything was above board and legit?
#Steups
#DickMoves
If so then no gymnast must go!
No, the young lady from Azerbaijan can go!
Trust me I Love Dick? but just not this one ?
The TTOC’s decision must send an unequivocal succinct message to all T&T sports organizations that despite the fact that Marisa Dick’s & Thema Williams’ chances to win a medal or even place in the top 20 are nil, corruption, questionable decision-making, discrimination and favoritism will not be tolerated. All decision-making will be done in the spirit of the Olympics.
Did alternates have to get accredited prior to the start of the test event?
Thema all the way
Wow talk about unfair game
At this point, I would still like to get a timeline established between Coach Geddert’s email to the TTGF which was used as justification and either Marisa Dick’s and/or FIG notification from the TTGF that a switch was going to be made for the qualification event.. Seems like information any transparent organization should be able to provide..
I think the TTOC will take all the time that they have at their disposal in order to examine all the facts they can obtain and in the spirit of Olympism which is friendship, solidarity and fair play, they will make their decision and stand by it no matter how popular/unpopular it may be and never forgetting that Olympism seeks to create respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
If nothing happens by the deadline, we just allow the time to pass
FIG has already been compromise so I don’t want to hear from them..no Thema nobody..
no Thema nobody…..FIG is
The people don’t want Dick, it’s that simple.
Trust me I Love Dick? but just not this one ?
Hahaha Janelle Solomon
Obviously the TTOC is not unanimous in how to deal with this and likely receiving tremendous pressure to rubber stamp the selection. That’s the only possible explanation for their lack of action thus far. CAS will end up having to rule on this.
Kendall your assumption is for various reasons unlikely, first and foremost i would assume if TTOC makes a move now there is no chance for Thema to get the slot back as it will go unrecoverable to the first reserve… i would think that CAS will only rule on a reinstatement as long as TTOC still “owns” the slot….
There has been no statement from the TTOC on their position. And do you really think pressure is not being brought to bear?
I also don’t think that Thema’s road to Rio depends on Dick being disqualified and the spot going to an alternate. It hinges on whether FIG broke its procedues in removing Thema without proper documentation. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Dick will be barred. They could add an extra spot.
Time will tell but I am not hopeful for anything other than a protracted legal squabble.
Kendall consider the posibility that K. Scotland has asked TTOC to do so… to help Themas case….
aside TTOC actually has made their position surprisingly clear…
Which is what Andreas? Has the TTOC issued a statement on their position that I missed?
Brians tweets as to his right to leave Marissa home…. he has no right to exchange her…. and he pointed out what rights he has….. thats pretty clear to me….
Your szenario of adding would be the Triparte Commission…. the deadline for that has passed so that is unlikely… the only option i see at this time is that CAS will strongarm FIG…
But Andreas – Brian’s personal views are one thing. My question is where does the TTOC as a body stand?
I’ve already withdrawn my support and lost interest. If Thema can’t go as far as I am concerned Trinidad has no representative
Her lawyers have to head to CAS immediately time running out…
And what going on with the TTOC? Have their deliberations started?
Expected response…world bodies dont pander to requests from “insignificants”
not just the TTGF……….but ADMINISTRATORS in general !…….almost every National sporting body seems to work OVERTIME towards destroying our young athletes !
It is all in the hands of the TTOC.
?. I think Thema has one other lifeline left. It’s not over yet.
Steupsssss , what can the Minister of Sports do? What you expect the Minister to do ? Allyuh good Wii .
daz wha i wanna know…act and do what?
That’s it, no gymnast goes to Rio!
IMHO The TTOC very well knows that monkey business went on here and THEY are the ones who should be hell bent on getting at the truth of the matter. But this is TnT where justice is never served so Ms Dick may well go on to represent our Country but i hope she , her Mother, Mr Lue Shue and the other members of the TTGF sleep well at night knowing it’s because they screwed another athlete to get her there. But!! There’s an old saying ” what goes around comes around” and this ROT will never be forgotten and they will forever be known as that bunch of scamps and that’s putting it mildly because i don’t have court clothes.
While I agree with your thoughts we are a nine days country and this will soon be forgotten.
What I would like to see is the TTOC not nominating her but that again is not in our DNA.
. . . then there is karma
Not always Richard Stewart not always. We never forgot Abdul Malik did we?
Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, I find it interesting – the part you said: …”but I hope she, her mother, Mr Lue Shue and other members of the TTGF sleep well…”
Now I don’t know who sleeping with who, but God don’t sleep! Lol
Ms Espinal you are exposing our age. Some these days do not remember 1990.
Where the hell is our MINISTER OF SPORTS? THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE!!!!! STOP BURYING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND ACT NOW!!! #TEAMTHEMA.
wha u want him act and do now? really…
Well maybe he should have done something sooner, if it now is too late. Don’t you think so?
That’s a limp dick right there… Don’t even mention it
Sigh!!! Cameroon faced an explusion from football because their Govt disagreed on a decision taken by their football association and withheld funding. …The govt had to reverse such decision and promise they would never intervene in in matters that a sporting association made a decision on…so maybe you could enlighten us on the article in the TTGF that allows the Minster of Sports to overturn a decision made by the governing body for gymnastics
Chelsea Dee, you need to follow what’s taking place and read up some more on it before making statements based on emotions. There is nothing the Minister of Sport can do in regards to sending Thema to the Olympics… I sincerely hope she gets to go though. #teamthema
Total boycott.This must not stand.
Azerbaijan !!!!! Azerbaijan !!!!! Azerbaijan !!!!!
Once the whole truth comes out from FIG about the actual timelines of when and how Dick was accredited I think it would become pretty obvious that somebody high up at FIG (maybe someone’s biggest admirer??) smooth the way for her. You can only replace a gymnast within the 24hr deadline with an already accredited gymnast.
“In the case of injuries or illness with medical certificate verified by the official FIG/LOC medical doctor of any gymnast between 24 hours prior to the beginning of CI and 60 min prior to CI or CIV,” states the FIG technical regulations, “any gymnast ***already accredited*** can be used as substitute by the NF.
So it’s either they bumped off Thema’s name and put in Dick’s long before the 24 hours or somebody turned a blind eye as a friendly favour.
I will not give up hope. #thema4rio2016
Dick does not represent me.
Initially I wanted to give her a chance before I realized how absolutely disgusting she and her mom are. The worst part is that their collective actions will muddy the waters for other second generation citizens with genuine dreams and goals of representing T&T internationally in various sports. They have done so much potential damage in such a short span of time!
Nor me
Me neither
Agreed feel the pinch too dishonesty does not pay at all
Keep on exposing the conspiracy
That’s a good question from Chabeth. Does the fact that it’s it’s a nominative spot mean it can’t be changed even by CAS? Because this would mean that CAS have very limited powers. Which would be odd. Did FIG only put that there because they feel we dotish? We all know that from this point on its Dick or nobody. …..unless CAS rules in Thema’s favour.
I don’t think they believe we’re dotish at all. I think they’re responding based on where they are legally right now. Remember the first step is TTOC agreement to petition the tripartite committee which has not happened yet.
What is the delay re TTOC? ?
There has been only ONE business day since the direction was publicly announced. That announcement was made on the day given as the deadline for the TTGF to respond. The TTGF, through Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, has requested further time. Which is fine, but the legal team proceeded to announce their intended course of action publicly anyway. I do not expect that details of he process re TTOC will be publicly revealed until there is a decision.
So the inference here is that FIG had to have bent its own rules in order to allow accreditation to MD. Or in the alternative, while everyone thought Dick was in transit, she was actually already there and almost immediately after Thema returned her accreditation it was then passed to Dick? What in the dark will come out. We may find out that this runs deeper than just the TTGF. One thing is clear they are all disgusting people from mother and athlete right down to TTGF and possibly inside FIG as well. Keep digging Lasana!!!!
First comes the form letter…
There’s precedence for replacing an athlete who earned a nominative spot. Either by the IOC or CAS?
I believe that some of the overturns were nominative, as far as i know its the Ad Hoc Division at CAS dealing with that….
CAS can do almost anything… lol
question is whether the IF follows it… remember at the end it is Arbitration…
I’d find it strange if CAS took away a nominative spot from an athlete and gave it to another. Because there’s absolutely no way to know if the other athlete would have scored as well.
I’m not speaking specifically about this mess with the TTGF, I mean in general.
And a lot of individual events provide nominative spots for the Olympics. It would be like track and field athlete with another without knowing if the replacement athlete can run the even within the qualifying time or throw the apparatus to the minimum qualifying distance (if that’s even a thing in track and field)
To be honest, you may be right with that concern, i tried to look up past cases, but the way they have their database its hard to tell whether such a case was before. Dont want to go into too many details how i would counter that argument, but there is a logical chain to counter argue that concern…. at the end we are not lawyers (at least me) so who knows how that will pan out…. i have a feeling though that Thema has a good chance at CAS…. but it is not the Ad Hoc Division, they only convene 10 Days ahead of the Olympics…
Utter nonsense
Essentially, the FIG doesn’t have the final say on this matter. So for 96.1 on anyone else to say otherwise means they were not paying close attention.
It is the IOC and CAS who will decide whether there is enough evidence to justify overturning FIG’s position.
…however, the fact that Thema did not compete in the test event remains. How can an athlete that did not qualify (via the test event), qualify?
The lawyers explained why they think that can be done: http://wired868.com/2016/04/28/sliver-of-hope-thema-hopeful-of-olympic-spot-admits-to-friction-with-dicks/
But the fact is that the IOC or CAS have the final say. Therefore it is wrong to say that the decision is final because the FIG said so. Even though CAS and IOC might choose not to overrule the FIG.
Understood. I hope there is a way. However, if Thema does get through, it may open a flood of litigation and issues from other athletes who, can claim that their national associations discriminated against them in the past as well. Let the games begin!
Well, that flood should already be there. That’s why those arbitrators get the big bucks. 😉
I’m confused as to why this was not understood in the 1st place……
I am confused why ppl would go to these lengths to destroy someone’s dream.
Nothing human being do surprises me so that’s one thing I’m not confused about…the fact that people actually though an athlete can go to the Olympics to participate in an event for which they did not qualify? yea…..that one is baffling to me
Nicole Ulerie I don’t think that’s the issue. I think ppl are just and confused that the athlete who qualified to go to the Test Event to obtain qualifications to be an Olympiad was denied the opportunity due to nepotism and unfair denial without a medical certificate is. That would make any reasonable thinking citizen want to seek redress.
so I guess the people saying Thema or Azerbaijan were just saying that for saying it sake? Ok then
Nicole Ulerie no they are not. In the instance of apparent bias ppl rather no one be rewarded. To agree to this is to say corruption /nepotism is good and that could never be. You don’t reward evil works.
Which I get. But thinking there was an avenue for Thema to go to the Olympics. Uber confused
Nicole Ulerie all Federations have constitutions. Therefore if it is breached in one carrying out ones duty any lawyer or investigative person will pull the constitution and seek a clause to challenge any decision being taken. It is only reasonable to expect such natural course of justice given the circumstance.
Le sigh
Nicole based on Thema’s lawyers plan to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. .they believe they have a chance of the court overturning the decision of the TTGF to withdraw Thema and have her reinstated. Marisa Dick earned the spot for TTO. In their opinion the spot can go to Thema if CAS says so.
Well I most certainly will not be holding my breath on that happening
Well then it’s “let’s go Azabaijan!..Let’s go!???”
Jeremy Francis, the 96.1 release is wrong. Careful where you go for sport analysis.
I was just explaining this. ?
Not surprised
So Azerbaijan all the way….
Mwah
Well given that I guess we will be unrepresented. Because as far as I am concerned Dick cannot go given the unethical means she and her handlers used to get her there.