Eritrea's selection of Olympic team for 10K worst in history and deserves investigation at the highest level
Eritrean National Athletics Federation(ENAF) mysteriously submitted three names of its runners for the 10,000 meter Olympics which cannot be justified by any means. The list left a runner with a best chance for an Olympic medal. To cover up the act, the athlete was taken RIO Olympics only to receive a name badge as a representative not as an athlete.
EAAA calls for an investigation at the highest level because:
1. The act has devastated the moral of the runner by stealing his well deserved four Olympic years.
2. The athlete scored an Olympic qualifying time and the runner is better ranked with better 10K time than two of the selected athletes.
3. The country lost unjustifiable cost, in thousands of dollars, for an athlete whom the Olympic committee recognizes as a representative and with no value for Eritrea.
4. The coaches have expressed a strong feeling for his deserving spot in Rio Olympics.
5. Unfair selection process also hurts Eritrean athletics and future athletes.
No Eritrean runner deserves this kind of treatment! This is not about one athlete but about having a fair selection process for all Eritrean runners.
No matter if there will be an investigation and irrespective of an investigative results, no one will compensate this athlete of his lost Olympic opportunity. Therefore, we call upon the people to give moral for this athlete(name release after investigation), and EAAA will do what it can raise the moral of the athlete.
At this stage of Eritrean athletics level and 16 years of Olympics participation, no Eritrean expects such devaluing act of unfair selection.
Eritrean American Athletics Association,
August, 2016
copy to Eritrean Sports Commission
copy to Ministry of Information
