Lance Armstrong's Olympic Fallout; Shot Putter Returns Medal

Lance Armstrong Fallout

It'sunclear what will happen to Lance Armstrong’s bronze medal from the Sydney Olympics following the United States Anti-Doping Agency's lifetime ban and revoking of his seven Tour de France titles.

On Thursday, Armstrong informed USADA he would no longer fight charges levied against him that he used performance-enhancing drugs. USADA said in June it was filing new charges against the retired cyclist. Following his refusal to challenge the allegations, he had all his titles from 1998 on stripped. Included in that is his time trial bronze medal from Sydney 2000.

As the country’s anti-doping agency, USADA has the authority to remove titles. However, the IOC would not say whether it will re-award Armstrong’s medal.

"The IOC will have to study the USADA/UCI decision, once made, before deciding its next steps," an IOC spokesperson tells Around the Rings.

The International Cycling Union, UCI, could overturn USADA’s decision. However, that would be an unprecedented move from the cycling body. UCI said on Friday it wouldit would wait for an explanation of USADA's decision before commenting.

"As USADA has claimed jurisdiction in the case the UCI expects that it will issue a reasoned decision", the cycling federation said in a statement.

Armstrong did not admit to doping, saying in a statement he was "finished with this nonsense."

"Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by [USADA CEO] Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt.

"I had hoped that a federal court would stop USADA’s charade. Although the court was sympathetic to my concerns and recognized the many improprieties and deficiencies in USADA’s motives, its conduct, and its process, the court ultimately decided that it could not intervene."

IOC Receives Medal

The IOC confirms to Around the Rings that Valerie Adams, the silver medalist shot putter from New Zealand, has returned her medal to the IOC.

A spokesman said the IOC received her medal on Thursday night. She returned her medal because Belarusian gold medalist Nadzeya Ostapchuk failed a drug test following the competition in London.

Ostapchuk could have her gold awarded to Adams if she decides to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A CAS spokesperson said they have not received an appeal from Ostapchuk, who has until Sept. 3 to do so.

Until the deadline for appeal passes, the spokesperson said the IOC is unable to comment on any potential re-awarding medals in the women’s shot put.

"I don’t care whatshe does. I’m giving back my silver medal to get the gold," Adams was quoted by the Associated Press onThursday after competing in an event in Lausanne, where the IOC is based.

"It’s been a roller-coaster ride for me since London. It’s been not the easiest."

Hungarian Payday

The Prime Minster of Hungary’s office announced Hungarian medalists will receive a substantial haul for medal-winning performances.

A statement on Viktor Orban’s website says the prime minister "adopted the recommendation of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) regarding the financial reward for successful Hungarian Olympians."

Gold medalists will receive nearly $160,000, with silver and bronze medalists earning just under $115,000 and $90,000 respectively.

Hungarians won eight golds, four silvers and five bronze medals in London.

Czech President Greets Olympians

Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, congratulated the country’s Olympians at an event in Prague on Thursday.

The event took place at Prague Castle, with six of the 10 Olympians present. The four missing were participating in competition around the world.

Klaus attended only the first three days of the Games, joking that may have been a good thing.

"I think the best I could do was to leave London after three days because we lost everything during the three days," Klaus was quoted as saying by Czech media.

He said he would make arrangements to award the commemorative medals to the four absent medalists.

"I could hand it to Lucie Hradecka personally, we are in the same club," he said of the doubles silver medalist. Both she and the president belong to I.CLTK Praha tennis club.

Make-A-Wish Fulfills Record Number of Dreams

The Make-A-Wish Foundation along with JetSet Sports and CoSport sent a record 41 children to the Olympics. The foundation grants wishes for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

"We are proud to support Make-A-Wish and be in a position to help deliver the wish kids and their families a hospitality experience that reflects the excitement and excellence of the Olympic Games,"” said Robert Long, managing director of CoSport.

A statement released by the foundation said this was "the single-largest wish-granting endeavor Make-A-Wish has ever faced."

Each of the children and their families received accommodations, transportation to and from the events, and tickets to attend two Olympic events.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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