TFAA Members:
Two members of the Track and Field Athletes\' Association, Lolo Jones and Nick Symmonds, were denied the right to compete in this weekend\'s London Aviva Diamond League competition. Both athletes are compliant with current IAAF uniform guidelines and are in good standing with all federations. According to the athletes, the meet director, Ian Stewart, branded them \"liabilities\" anyway. Fortunately, the athletes will have an opportunity to compete in London on a much grander stage where they are seen as assets for the 2012 US Olympic Team.
It\'s difficult to imagine being banned from competition because of the way you look or the things you say. However, that appears to be the situation here.
Lolo and Nick have bravely been using social media to draw attention to what has happened. Don\'t let them stand alone! Please show your support for your fellow TFAA members by tweeting, facebooking and blogging, using the hashtag #blackballed
Our collective voice is our strongest asset at this time. Suggestions for tweets and Facebook posts include:
\"We missed @lolojones and @nicksymmonds at the Aviva Diamond League #blackballed\"
\"RT if you\'re appalled at @lolojones and @nicksymmonds being #blackballed by the Aviva Diamond League\"
\"Punished for a crime they didn\'t commit! @lolojones & @nicksymmonds were #blackballed by the Aviva Diamond League\" (Thanks Lolo for that quote)
\"2 of track & field\'s most recognizable faces = liabilities? I don\'t think so! @lolojones & @nicksymmonds were #blackballed\"
For more information on this issue, please refer to Jesse Squire\'s write up (this would also be a good link to tweet or post on Facebook to inform people unaware of what is going on:
http://tracksuperfan.com/symmonds-stewart-controversy
Regards,
The TFAA