Selection stigma

The fight for Olympic places is hotting up. Yet, while the majority know that they have to reach a certain qualifying time, or beat their main national rivals, others face challenges of a different kind.

As featured in GulfWeekly recently, Britain’s rhythmic gymnasts went to court claiming that they had legitimately reached the minimum qualifying level set by their own governing body yet had been rejected on the grounds that this level was achieved too late. They were successful in their appeal.

Other sportstars, such as Dwayne Chambers, are again fighting on legal grounds while attempting to overturn bans imposed on them having previously been banned on the basis of having failed to comply with regulations governing the use of performance-enhancing steroids.

One man, in particular, faces a battle against stigma. This man is Oscar Pistorius, otherwise known as the Blade Runner. This double-amputee provides South Africa with as close to a guarantee of gold medals in the Paralympic events as it is possible in sport. But he wishes to compete in the able-bodied equivalent starting in London on July 27.

He took the biggest stride towards competing by running the 400m in 45.20 secs at the Provincial Championships, which was a selection event for the South African National Championships.

According to the chief executive of the South Africa Olympic Committee (Sascoc), Tubby Reddy, Pistorius needs to repeat the feat within three months of the Olympics. The 400m A Qualification time is 45.30 seconds.

Given that the Blade Runner, who competes on carbon fibre ‘legs’ (or blades), became the first amputee to compete at the World Championships in 2011, it is assumed that he has overcome any objections in his homeland, having been selected in the 4 x 400m relay team.

However, while it does not impact on his ability to compete, he still battles to overcome an international stigma that ostracises paralympians, with able-bodied athletes and their supporters fearing he gains an unfair advantage from his blades.

The main argument is that the blades are lighter and stronger and enhance his performance by propelling him faster along the track. However, this has been examined on many occasions by experts who believe (and have confirmed) that this is simply not the case.

Rather than keep placing hurdles in his way, let the man compete and celebrate the challenges he has overcome in his life to date, acting as an inspiration to many others around the world, abled and disabled.

Contrast his challenges to compete with those of Yamile Aldama, the Cuban-born triple-jumper, who was touted last week as a potential captain of Team GB’s track and field squad by Britain’s chief athletics coach, Charles van Commenee.

Her gold medal at the World Indoor Championships has sparked a storm in several countries where there are concerns over naturalising athletes.

Aldama’s first medals were won while representing Cuba, although the country of her birth disowned her after she moved to London with her Scottish husband in 2001. Unfortunately for her, the British selectors failed to acknowledge her claims for selection, leaving her ‘stateless’. Uniquely, this left one of the world’s leading athletes unable to compete as she had no country to represent.

In the great tradition of numerous Irish footballers, she trawled through her ancestry and found a Sudanese grandparent, thereby enabling her to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics where she finished fifth.

Finally, it seems as though her life is turning around. Reunited with her husband after his release from prison following being sentenced for drug trafficking, the British selectors have agreed to allow her to represent the land of her children’s birth.

Having flown under the radar for so many years, the great British tradition of knocking people when they reach the top, winning a gold medal has led to accusation of her being a ‘Plastic Brit’, which in turn drew the attention of Ö British Minister of Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, claiming that all those representing Team GB should at least know all the words to the National Anthem! 

I imagine this would disqualify a large number of English footballers judging by their efforts prior to matches. Robertson’s comments came after a reporter from the Daily Mail had asked current captain, Tiffany Porter, to recite the National Anthem, sparking ugly scenes.

Yet, as Aldama herself is quick to point out, in cases such as this, there can be no generalisation – each case has to be considered individually on its merits.

Despite facing tough times having relocated with her Scottish husband to London, she committed to helping the local community and has been actively involved in coaching athletics at a local club for over a decade.

Positively, judging by the reaction at the World Championships, British supporters have welcomed her wearing the Union Jack, while her teammates called her an inspiration that led them to a record medal haul, thereby endorsing an enthusiastic acceptance.

To me, as an independent observer, Aldama has earned her new nationality the hard way and I welcome her participation in red, white and blue. Many sportsmen and women have represented countries for less, or more if you include a monetary category.