Gabriele Grunewald reinstated as 3,000 meter champion

Gabriele Grunewald was reinstated as the USA indoor 3,000 meters champion on Monday after her controversial disqualification at the 2014 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships this past Saturday generated widespread criticism throughout the track world.

After winning the women’s 3,000 meter run, Grunewald was disqualified when Alberto Salazar, the coach of fourth-place finisher Jordan Hasay, filed a complaint saying Grunewald illegally bumped his runner on the bell lap. Salazar’s complaint was initially overturned by race officials, but he kept pressing until Grunewald was eventually stripped of her title.

Hasay, who would have gone to next month’s IAAF World Indoor Championships thanks to Grunewald’s disqualification, announced her decision to withdraw on Monday, thus allowing Grunewald a spot on the US team:

"As with all of the competitors who lined up on Saturday, I desperately wanted to make the team to represent the United States at the upcoming World Indoor Track and Field Championships. Since Saturday evening my emotions have ranged from despair to determination to go to Poland and represent my country as best I can. After much thought and consideration, however, I have decided to withdraw my protest as I do not want to make a national team under these circumstances. I wish all members of the USA team going to Poland my best and look forward to continuing to train hard and competing to represent the USA in future World Championship and Olympic Games."

Representing the US at the championships next month in Poland will be Grunewald and second-place finisher Shannon Rowbury.

[Source: Let’s Run]