CAS Upholds IOC Decision in Athletes Commission Race

(ATR) The IOC wins its first case in the first Athletes Commission election appeal.

On Friday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the decision by the IOC to disqualify Mu Yen Chu from the IOC Athletes Commission race.

Chu, from Chinese Taipei, was disqualified by the IOC EB during the London Olympics for using an iPad to promote his candidacy and distributing gifts. He denied violating any rules.

Announcing its decision, CAS determined that his actions gave him an advantage over the other candidates who had not broken rules.

However, the court said Chu’s actions were due to "excessive zeal rather than a desire to cheat; his integrity as a sportsman should not be affected by this decision."

The former taekwondo fighter had reportedly finished in the top four spots, enough to earn a seat on the athletes commission. Hammer thrower Koji Murofushi of Japan was the other athlete disqualified for rule violations. He too is said to have finished in the top four of all candidates and appealed to CAS. His court date is set for April 10 and 11.

No immediate reaction was available from Chu, the IOC or Murofushi.

Danka Bartekova, Kirsty Coventry, Tony Estanguet and James Tomkins were declared the winners at an Aug. 12 announcement in the Olympic Village, qualifying them for an eight-year membership with the IOC. However, at the final day of the IOC Session, the IOC declined to certify the results until the appeals were complete.

Chu competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in taekwondo, winning gold and bronze respectively in the 58-kg event.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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