Symmonds barred from London DL?

CORRECTION

nonsense wrote:

Ian Stewart & Stephanie Hightower are cancer upon T&F

Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.

I am ambivalent towards Symmonds. His antics sometimes piss me off, but at least he brings attention to the sport. Hightower and USATF should be focusing on the drug cheats like Debbie Dunn, Justin Gaitlin, and Carmelita Jeter who actually damage the sport. Instead Hightower elects to go after athletes who she has personal vandettas against. USATF needs to stop the political BS and start doing things that make the sport more honest, marketable, and competitive. Symmonds' courting of Paris Hilton and marketing campaign are tolerable because he wants to increase his earning potential - he is entitled to that. Hightower and USATF are letting the sport burn while ignoring what is actually important.

For those of you wondering why I am not racing in tomorrow's London Diamond League 800m: I was told by the meet director, Ian Stewart, that I am "a liability" and that I am not allowed to race in any of his meetings. Apparently, he told the same thing to Lolo Jones, one of the most popular athletes in the world of Athletics. People like Mr. Stewart have very antiquated ideas about how the sport of Track and Field should be governed and are holding our sport back. Fortunately, most meet directors do not share his myopic opinions. Therefore, instead of racing at cold, rainy Crystal Palace (London), I will be racing on one of the fastest tracks in one of the most beautiful places in the world on July 20th. MONACO 800m!!!

^Credits to Symmonds FB

Pretty solid response from Symmonds tbf.

"a liability" ffs!!

If this is all on the up-and-up, then I have lost every ounce of respect I might have had for Ian Stewart.

Ian Stewart, you are a disgrace to the sport of track & field.

Why is Lolo a liability? She doesn't antagonize.

suburbanxcore wrote:

Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.

Wait, what? This is ridiculous.

What's REALLY wierd is that Lolo is a liability...

But Dwain Chambers WAS IN THE MEET!!!

Can somebody explain this?

This needs a mention on the front page. If it gets enough coverage it might force Mr Stewart into a proper explanation.

And if there is no proper explanation it will expose him as the gimp he appears to be.

SuperMan wrote:

I think he's a huge douche-bag too, but I still don't think that's any reason to ban someone from a reason.

Eh?

Ghoralsh wrote:

suburbanxcore wrote:

Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.

Wait, what? This is ridiculous.

If I can hazard a guess, it's that one of the hurdlers who beat Jones at the Trials can barely contain her loathing of Jones and used some sort of connections to keep Lolo out.

I've also heard that Schumacher's athletes are not welcome. Again I can only guess, but I figure it's antipathy between them and AlSal's group -- and in Britain right now, Mo gets what Mo wants.

TFAA response?

jsquire wrote:

Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.

Wait, what? This is ridiculous.

If I can hazard a guess, it's that one of the hurdlers who beat Jones at the Trials can barely contain her loathing of Jones and used some sort of connections to keep Lolo out.

I've also heard that Schumacher's athletes are not welcome. Again I can only guess, but I figure it's antipathy between them and AlSal's group -- and in Britain right now, Mo gets what Mo wants.[/quote]

I'm no insider, but these are two horrible guesses. Let's stick to the facts, please. The reliable reports are outrageous enough without your farfetched speculation.

Fair enough.

All of these governing bodies need an education fast. USATF is still running themselves like the bush league they've always been. DL apparently uses some of the same logic. The internet has given the athletes and fans a way to force accountability. I don't understand why these guys in power just aren't able to process that they need to become more professional and run themselves like a real sport. You don't see anyone in the NFL or NBA barred from a game because they're a "liability."

I still don't get why Lolo would be banned. I don't agree with the ban on Nick but I can see where Mr Hightower doesn't like him because of the issues that Nick is raising. And Shcumacher's group also banned? WTF?!?

I would like to Brojos make this an issue like they did with the drug cheat sitting in Nike box seats. I would love to hear an explanation from the Diamond League or Mr Hightower.

webby wrote:

jsquire wrote:

Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.

Wait, what? This is ridiculous.

If I can hazard a guess, it's that one of the hurdlers who beat Jones at the Trials can barely contain her loathing of Jones and used some sort of connections to keep Lolo out.

I've also heard that Schumacher's athletes are not welcome. Again I can only guess, but I figure it's antipathy between them and AlSal's group -- and in Britain right now, Mo gets what Mo wants.

I'm no insider, but these are two horrible guesses. Let's stick to the facts, please. The reliable reports are outrageous enough without your farfetched speculation.[/quote]

Thank you -

OK, was working off recollection and got some details wrong. Now I've done my homework. Finding tweets from Dec. 2 takes a little time.

Hightower did not specifically yell at Symmonds at December's USATF Convention, she yelled at everyone. Sandra Farmer-Patrick is the one who blew up at Symmonds.

I had forgotten that Ian Stewart spoke at the USATF convention during that contentious AAC meeting. Among the things he reportedly said:

"you say you're professionals; act like it."

"If you think you're gonna walk into 1 of our track meets wearing Axer across your chest, it's not gonna happen."

This was before the meeting was closed and live tweeting banned. I have no idea what happened after that.