Courtesy: USAT

The United States Olympic Committee Blue Ribbon Panel issued its decision on the 2003 election dispute on Monday, overturning the 2003 election of non-elite athlete directors to USA Triathlon's Board of Directors and requiring that USAT hold new elections in the next six weeks.

The dispute concerned the grievance of Mike Greer, Robert Vigorito, Karen Buxton, John Duke, Jack Weiss, and Ray Plotecia against Valerie Gattis, Jim Girand, Diane Travis, and USAT. The grievants asserted that the 2003 election of non-elite athlete directors should be overturned because the Board had improperly determined the rules for the 2003 election, candidates may have engaged in improper election activities, and the rules did not impose adequate safeguards to ensure a valid result. USAT answered that the 2003 election had been conducted in accord with California law, USAT's Bylaws, and the Board's valid decisions on election procedures. The individual respondents answered similarly, and denied engaging in any election impropriety.

The Panel's decision focused on the rules for the 2003 election, finding that "the election was flawed." The Panel made no finding as to the issue of whether the Board properly approved the election rules.

The Panel specifically held that there was no evidence that any candidate, including Ms. Gattis, Mr. Girand or Ms. Travis "changed any ballot, discarded any ballot or in any other way tampered with the election results."

The Panel ruled that candidates who wish to run in a new election for the at-large, Eastern, Central, and Western Region Board positions must submit petitions (signed by 30 USAT members supporting the candidate's nomination) to USAT by May 28, 2004. Any USA Triathlon member, including the individual respondents, may take part in the new election.

Candidate information must be submitted to USAT by June 4, 2004, and will in turn be mailed with ballots to USAT members by June 14, 2004. Ballots must be returned or postmarked by June 28, 2004. Election results will be announced by July 7, 2004, and the new Board will be seated by July 12, 2004.

Go to www.usatriathlon.org to read the entire decision.