DESERVING ATHLETES WILL GET A CHANCE TO STAND IN THE MOMENT SAYS IAAF

The feeling that comes with victory and success for any athlete at any major championship most times is second to none in a lifetime of experiences.

But too often in the sport of track and field, athletes who competed fairly and honestly are denied that moment of standing on one of the spots on the podium, especially the top due to later discovered, drug cheats soaking up the moment.

But unlike past times when individual athletes and teams promoted after drug voilators caught, would just be sent the medal , starting at next year’s Olympics in Rio they will have a special ceremony to recognise their achievements, according to the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The Wada President, Sir Craig Reedie said via the Guardian sport media, that at present, there is no formal system to redistribute medals once athletes are disqualified but has promised they will be allowed their “moment in the sun”.

“We are going to make sure that, when the medals are re-awarded, they are presented properly,” said Reedie, who is also the vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Several Caribbean athletes in the past have been denied chances to celebrate their rightful medals at major championship. This includes the likes of Tainya Lawrence, Merlene Ottey, Beverley McDonald and Pauline Davis Thompson.

Marion Jones who won five medals at 2000 Sydney Olympics was later stripped in 2007, following her drug confession.

The bronze medalist in the 100 in Sydney was Tainya Lawrence,with fellow Jamaican Merlene Ottey fourth.Both have been upgraded since.

In the 200, Pauline Davis-Thompson of the Bahamas took the silver behind Jones. Sri Lanka’s Susanthika Jayasinghe was third and Jamaica’s Beverly McDonald fourth.