Tag: Shaunae Miller-Uibo

Nacac Says Miller-Uibo’S Concerns ‘Require Urgent Attention Of World Athletics’

SALWA EID NASER, of Bahrain, right, reacts after winning the gold medal while being congratulated by silver medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo, of the Bahamas, after the women’s 400 metre final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, October 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

SALWA EID NASER, of Bahrain, right, reacts after winning the gold medal while being congratulated by silver medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo, of the Bahamas, after the women’s 400 metre final at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, October 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

By Brent Stubbs

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

#North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) is supporting Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo in questioning why World Athletics didn’t penalise women’s 400 metre world champion Salwa Eid Naser from Bahrain for apparently missing a series of drug testing.

#Following her emphatic triumph on October 5, 2019 at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar over Miller-Uibo, World Athletics provisionally suspended Naser on January 5, 2020 for failing to make herself available for three drug testings during a span of 12 months.

#However, on October 20, World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) cleared Naser of any wrongdoing and dropped all charges against her, allowing her to hold onto her gold medal and be eligible to compete in the postponed 2020 Olympic Games, which will now be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2021.

#Miller-Uibo, 26, questioned why the 22-year-old Naser wasn’t suspended – possibly for two years.World Athletics, the world governing body for the sport, has not yet released any statement in response to Miller-Uibo’s plea.

#However, three weeks later, NACAC, the governing body for the sport in the region headed by Bahamian Mike Sands as president, issued a statement yesterday stating that having thoroughly examined the circumstances that led to the recent comments of Miller-Uibo on the recent ruling of the Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) against Naser and that their Athletes Commission is throwing their support behind the Bahamian multiple national record holder.

#“We are mindful that in the case of Salwa Eid Naser, the terms of the delays in the charges being brought sometimes happens because the Anti-Doping Organisations with results management responsibility need to be thorough in their investigations before alleging the commission of an anti-doping rule violation,” the NACAC statement read.

#“Nevertheless our Athletes Commission nonetheless feels that many of the concerns raised by Mrs Uibo are valid and require the urgent attention of World Athletics if it is to sustain the confidence of athletes in the system and, ultimately, in the sport,” the statement read.”

#The statement further stated that athletes are required and are held accountable for their actions and rightfully so, however, many are convinced that the process is inconsistent. The process is not at all uniform across the globe to such an extent that many are of the view that some athletes will always get the benefit of the doubt given the perceived inconsistencies.

#“There has to be greater accountability on the part of athletes regarding whereabouts filings but we also believe that the process applied in dealing with whereabouts failures could be more explicitly outlined,” the release noted.

#“Rather than having the option to provide explanatory notes, this should be a requirement. Inconsistency in the application of rules, regulations and laws is one of the most frustrating things for athletes.”

#Nigerian-born Naser clocked a personal best time of 48.14 seconds, becoming the first Asian woman to win the 400m at the World Championships. Her time placed her third on the 400m all-time list behind only world record holder Marita Kock (47.60) and Jamila Kratochvilova (47.99).

#In the process, Miller-Uibo had to settle for second place in a national and area record of 48.37 for sixth place on the all-time list.

#In her statement last month, Miller-Uibo said her concern was not just with the athlete missing four tests and having the charges dismissed.

#“It’s with the international federation and the integrity unit that was assembled to protect this sport,” she stated. “In my opinion, the World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) were caught with their hands in the cookie jar as it pertains to this case. I was interested to see how this turn of events would transpire.

#“I think this strengthens the need for an independent body to serve alongside the World Athletics appointed athlete representatives. With the independent athletes’ body, more accountability will be given as we try our best to rebuild trust and integrity in our beloved sport…I cry foul play and I believe there is a deeper explanation on how the World Athletics along with the AIU allowed this to carry on to this extent.”

#Ultimately, AIU determined the doping control officer (DCO) inadvertently knocked on the wrong door during Naser’s third whereabouts failure on April 12, thus nullifying their decision not to suspend her.

#NACAC said of some concern is the matter of the options available to athletes who are aggrieved with the operations and/or decisions of the AIU.

#“To whom can the athletes turn in such instances? The operations and/or decisions of the AIU. To whom can the athletes turn in such instances? We, therefore, understand Shaunae’s advocacy as we do her right to speak out on matters deemed pertinent to the cause of all athletes,” the statement further read.

#“Regular dialogue is critical in this process. We insist that we are all accountable regardless of where we are located in the sport’s global structure.”

#As president of NACAC, Sands sits around the executive table of World Athletics, having replaced Pauline Davis-Thompson, the immediate past councilwoman, who previously represented the region.

#World Athletics is headed by Sebastian Coe, whom Miller-Uibo called upon to provide a response detailing each step of all the failures that unfolded since the case began.

Miller-Uibo Gets Set For Inspiration Games

Shaunae Miller-Uibo

Shaunae Miller-Uibo

As of Thursday, June 11, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#As World Athletics seeks to return to a state of normalcy, an innovative new approach will feature some of the biggest names in the sport competing remotely, including Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

#The reigning Olympic 400m champion and Diamond League 200m champion will compete against her chief rivals from their respective locations in an exhibition series as a part of the ‘Weltklasse Zurich Inspiration Games on July 9.

#In just under a month, Miller-Uibo, Allyson Felix of the United States and Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland will race against the clock simultaneously in the 150m from their respective locations.

#Miller-Uibo will race out of Miramar, Florida, while Felix – the six-time Olympic champion – will race from Walnut, California, and Kambundji competes in Zurich, Switzerland.

#In addition to her signature events, Miller-Uibo has been a world leader in the 150m in recent years at the Adidas Boston Games. She won the event in 2018 in a time of 16.23 seconds, a record time performance on a straight track. Miller-Uibo repeated as the 150 metre champion at the 2019 event in 16.37.

#The Inspiration Games are a part of the Wanda Diamond League. The games, a live team event, will feature dozens of athletes competing simultaneously in different venues across the globe. The format is a partnership between World Athletics, the Wanda Diamond League, Swiss Timing and broadcaster SRG SSR.

#“Thirty track and field superstars compete across eight disciplines in an innovative team event spanning seven stadiums and three continents. The aim is not only to provide live sport for athletics fans across the world, but also to inspire the next generation,” World Athletics said.

#Karin Nussbaumer, SRG SSR’s national coordinator added: “To simultaneously broadcast three different venues in each discipline will certainly be a technical challenge. Time delays will have to be corrected so that everything is synchronised for the viewer. It is highly demanding to organise such a broadcast.”

#World Athletics reopened its headquarters this month after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure for 11 weeks. The new competition format featured in the Inspiration Games emerged as just one of its strategic measures moving forward.

#“Our head office may have been closed for 11 weeks but we have not been idle,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said following a meeting with its 14-member federations. “We have used that time to continue to develop our strategy to grow athletics. A huge amount of work has been put into developing our four-year strategic plan, led by our CEO Jon Ridgeon and with input and involvement from all at HQ, our Executive Board, our Area Presidents, Commission Chairs and Commissions. This is an exceptional body of work that brings together all the great things we do as a global sport body with a laser sharp focus on doing it better, and includes some innovative and creative ideas to drive growth in our sport. It is exactly the type of roadmap our sport needs to bring together all our stakeholders with a single vision, mission and clear priorities.”

Shaunae set to compete next month

Shaunae Miller-Uibo.June 10, 2020Sheldon Longley0773Views

In a unique athletic set-up and format next month, Shaunae Miller-Uibo will be in action.

The Bahamian Olympic Champion will take on American legendary sprinter Allyson Felix and Switzerland’s world bronze medallist Mujinga Kambundji in the women’s 150 meters (m) in a series of clashes between the United States, Europe and the rest of the world.

The Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games will feature 30 track and field superstars competing in eight disciplines in an innovative team event across seven stadiums and three continents on Thursday, July 9. Meet organizers said the aim is not only to provide live sport for athletics fans across the globe, but also to inspire the next generation.

It will be the first meet of the season for Miller-Uibo, and first clash between herself and six-time Olympic Champion Felix since the 2017 London World Championships when Felix finished third and Miller-Uibo was fourth. The two years prior, they exchanged the top two spots at the Beijing World Championships and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Felix winning the world title in 2015 and Miller-Uibo claiming the Olympic title in 2016.

The match-up in July is one of the more anticipated athletic events of the season, pitting the two global champions and Swiss double sprint national record holder Kambundji up against each other.

Felix commented: “Weltklasse Zürich always holds such a special place in my heart… This new format will hopefully give the fans something fun to look forward to during a time that has been really difficult for everyone.”

In the men’s triple jump competition, Americans Christian Taylor and Omar Craddock and Cuban-born Pedro Pichardo, of Portugal, will battle. Taylor is the two-time Olympic Champion and a four-time World Champion. Craddock is the Pan Am Games Champion and Pichardo is a two-time World silver medalist.

Taylor and Pichardo are two of only six men in the history of world athletics to ever jump over 18m (59’ 0-3/4”) in the men’s triple jump event.

Miller-Uibo’s husband, Maicel Uibo, of Estonia, has already been in action since the resumption of world athletics, competing in pole vault, shot put and a shuttle run triathlon in the Ultimate Garden Clash exhibition event against decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer, of France, and German Niklas Kaul, on Sunday.

Mayer competed in Montpellier, France; World Champion Kaul was at an indoor facility in Mainz, Germany; and World silver medallist Uibo was in Clermont, Florida, USA, in the remote combined events contest among the world’s top three ranked decathletes. Uibo finished third, just behind Mayer and Kaul.

Uibo said: “Obviously, none of us have really done something like this before but it was a great thing to come out and have fun on this Sunday with each one of us in different locations. At least we got a little competition moment going on.”

As for the “Inspiration Games”, the innovative team event will be spread across three continents, as sports continues to get back on stride in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the main Weltklasse Zürich event unable to take place as planned this year, meet organizers have launched the Wanda Diamond League exhibition event as a new and exciting competition on the schedule.

The Weltklasse Zürich was set to be one of two Diamond League Finals this year, but was put off due to the pandemic. Substituting for that mega event, the Swiss city will now take itself to the world, by hosting the new live high-level team event, with dozens of athletes competing simultaneously in different venues across the globe.

“We want to offer fans what they have long been yearning for – a world-class live athletics event,” said Meet Director Christoph Joho.

Kambundji will burst out of the blocks in Zurich; Felix will compete out of Walnut, California; and Miller-Uibo will compete in Miramar, Florida.

The format, developed in cooperation with World Athletics, the Wanda Diamond League, Swiss Timing and broadcaster SRG SSR, will showcase traditional athletics from a completely new angle thanks to a unique, specially designed broadcast to be produced by SRG SSR.

“To simultaneously broadcast three different venues in each discipline will certainly be a technical challenge,” said Karin Nussbaumer, SRG SSR national coordinator. “Time delays will have to be corrected so that everything is synchronized for the viewer. It is highly demanding to organize such a broadcast.”

Overcoming challenges is what the “Inspiration Games” are about, said Meet Director Andreas Hediger.

“National and international stars such as Kambundji, Miller-Uibo and Felix are important role models in this respect. They can show the youngsters just how far you can go if you never stop improving, dreaming and believing in yourself,” said Hediger.

The Weltklasse Zürich was one of four Diamond League meets to be canceled this year. The remaining 11 are compacted into a three-month schedule from August to October.

Continental Tour Gold meets and the World Athletics (WA) Half Marathon Championships are also scheduled to be held during that period as World Athletics tries to salvage the 2020 season in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.

The first Continental Tour Gold Meet of the outdoor season will be the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday August 11 – right after the national championships window of August 8-9. That will be followed by the Wanda Diamond League Meet in Fontvieille, Monaco, on Friday, August 14. A number of smaller meets are already underway in Europe.

The Diamond League meets will not include a series point score this year, so there will be no overall league winners.

Naser Suspended

As of Monday, June 8, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamas Olympic women’s 400 metre champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and her management team declined comments on the alleged doping scandal of arch rival Bahrain women’s world 400m champion Salwa Eid Naser that could lead to a possible two-year suspension.

#Naser, who ran the third-fastest 400m in history when she pulled away from Miller-Uibo on the final curve to snatch the gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit last week.

#But in comments made on social media, Naser denied being a drug cheat and indicated that it was normal to miss three drug tests in a year, which is cause for concern according to the AIU, an organisation within the World Athletics, the governing body for the sport.

#“I’ve never been a cheat. I will never be,” said the 22-year-old Bahraini in an Instagram live video. “I only missed three drug tests, which is normal. It happens. It can happen to anybody. I don’t want people to get confused in all this because I would never cheat.

#“This year I have not been drug tested. We are still talking about the ones of last season before the World Championships.”

#When contacted over the weekend at her home in Florida where she resides with her husband, Estonia’s decathlete Maicel Uibo, Miller-Uibo offered no comments.

#The 26-year-old, who is preparing to defend her title at the 2020 Olympics, which was postponed from this year until July, 2021, referred The Tribune to her management team.

#Her manager Clyde Bryan, the chief executive officer of On Track Management, Inc, said they are not focusing on their arch rival. He would only offer this simple statement on the matter. “Shaunae is focused solely on her season, if there’s one, and wishes everyone peace and safety during these challenging times,” he said.

#In a stunning performance at the World Championships in Doha, Naser ran 48.14 seconds to claim a surprise gold medal, beating the Olympic champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who had to settle for the silver in a national and NACAC area record of 48.37.

#Naser’s time was the fastest in 34 years, with only the East German Marita Koch, in 1985, and the Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvílová, in 1983, having run faster.

#While none of the women failed a drug test, their times are regarded as suspicious given drug-taking in eastern Europe was systemic and state-sponsored during the 70s and 80s. Naser, who moved from Nigeria to Bahrain when she was 14, dispelled any concerns about whether or not her career has been tainted by drug allegations.

#“Hopefully, it’ll get resolved because I don’t really like the image, but it has happened,” said Naser, a former youth champion. “It’s going to be fine.

#“It’s very hard to have this little stain on my name. I would never take performance-enhancing drugs. I believe in talent, and I know I have the talent.”

#Athletes are required to provide regular updates on their whereabouts to make it possible for anti-doping authorities to carry out surprise testing outside of competition. A violation means an athlete either did not fill out forms telling authorities where he or she could be found, or that athletes weren’t where they said they would be when testers arrived.

#Three violations within 12 months can lead to a suspension if the athletes can’t justify why they weren’t available for testing, according to the rules of the World Athletics.

#Naser’s case comes to light after three other major doping cases highlighted among Bahrain’s top female runners in recent years, including the Olympic steeplechase champion, Ruth Jebet, and the Olympic marathon runner-up, Eunice Kirwa, who tested positive for EPO, and the world indoor 400 champion, Kemi Adekoya, who was found to have taken anabolic steroids.

#All were banned for four years.

#Three years ago at the 2017 World Championships in London, England, Naser won the 400m silver medal behind American Phyllis Francis. Miller-Uibo had a comfortable lead going onto the home stretch when she tried to exert her 6-feet, 1-inch frame about 30 meters from the finish line, but pulled up and ended up in fourth place,

#Miller-Uibo went on a sensational 25-month winning streak in both the 200 and 400m races since the defeat and the build up to the much anticipated rematch with Naser in Doha.

#In that memorably spectacular performance, Naser came off the final curve of the 400m ahead of Miller-Uibo and surged to the impressive victory, adding to the gold medal to the bronze she received a few days earlier in helping Bahrain’s mixed 4 x 400m relay team that finished third behind the United States and Jamaica.

#The Bahamas didn’t participate in the event, although Miller-Uibo joined Steven Gardiner, Anthonique Strachan and Michael Mathieu in winning the initial mixed relay race held at the third edition of the World Relays at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in 2017.