The BOA implied today that too much importance had been given to this area, which the WTF say is simply a change of interpretation rather than the rules, and also suggested Cook was discriminated against by not having personal representation at the original selection hearing.
STUK's selectors also appear to have ignored one of the world governing body's guidelines that athletes receiving places should have been in the world top 20 for two years to April 2012. Cook has never been outside it, Muhammad has never been in it.
In a statement the BOA called for STUK to convene a new selection procedure, with an independent observer present, and for the process to be applied fairly to both Muhammad and Cook.
The statement read: "On the basis of the process that was followed by STUK in arriving at its nomination for the men’s under-80 kg weight category, it was the unanimous decision of the OQS panel that it could not ratify the nomination.
"The OQS panel has written to STUK and requested that it reconvene its selection committee at the earliest opportunity and consider the following in bringing forward a nomination for the men’s under-80 kg weight category:
• 1) The clear guidance that was provided by an earlier Appeal Panel that directed all criteria should be weighed fairly and not disproportionately by the Selection Committee in evaluating athletes; in particular, a disproportionate amount of emphasis should not be given to the so-called ‘head shot rule’ in international taekwondo, which is subject to different interpretation, or any other factor
• 2) Both athletes should receive equal and in-person representation before the Selection Committee, preferably by their personal coach
• 3) All members of the Selection Committee who have a right to vote are in fact encouraged to do so as part of the nomination process
• 4) The BOA wishes to have an independent observer attend the Selection Committee Meeting.
Winehouse's family to sell singer's London home - Boston Globe
Chris Goodman, a spokesman for the Winehouse family, said Thursday that the singer had loved the house and her family put it on the market because they felt it would be inappropriate for any of them to live there.
London 2012: Games security staff '40% local' - BBC News
A total of 40% of Olympics security workers are from boroughs close to the Games site, a report has said.
Security provider G4S said 10,500 candidates from the six host boroughs are currently undergoing security screening and training.
More than 100,000 people have been interviewed for Olympic-related jobs, with 3,000 already deployed.
Olympic organisers Locog committed to recruiting locally for jobs in retail, catering, cleaning and security.
'On target'At least 40% of G4S's Olympic workforce is set to come from the local boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
Mark Hamilton, managing director of G4S London 2012, said: "It was always our intention to mobilise a large part of our workforce from the six boroughs around the Olympic Park in east London.
"I am delighted that we are on target to secure the services of thousands of local people who will help make the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games safe and secure.
"I am also thrilled that so many have come forward to seek work. They have a very responsible, and I hope rewarding, part to play in the sporting extravaganza and they are helping to add to the buzz of excitement that is building around London 2012."
Most of the 23,700 security jobs will end after the Paralympics in September, but G4S said they will have gained valuable qualifications and work experience to help find more employment.
London gallery unveils Ai Weiwei summer pavilion - Reuters UK
LONDON/BEIJING |
LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Embedded in the pristine front lawn of London's Serpentine Gallery, lies its latest creation, a large circular structure made of muted steel and earth-coloured cork.
The pavilion is the work of architects Herzog & de Meuron and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who were asked to design the structure as part of an annual summer series.
"We realised we wanted something that has a peaceful appearance, but a very complicated internal structure, like an archaeologist excavating and exposing an underground structure," Ai told Reuters in Beijing.
"It tells us that architecture is not only about space and shape, at the same time, it is also about the circumstances we find ourselves in, our mental state, and our political background."
The circular structure features two levels, a dull steel roof with a shallow layer of water to reflect the sky and an abstract myriad of shapes that represent each footprint of the former pavilions laid to rest.
The lower level, which is coated entirely in earth-colour cork, omits a strong smell and round stools resembling button mushrooms are dotted about place, for visitors to sit and interact during the pavilion's three month duration at the gallery.
Dressed in a dark suit and pale shirt, Pierre de Meuron told Reuters it was a thrill to design the pavilion this year, despite the challenges of collaborating with Ai Weiwei over Skype, a tight deadline of 6 months and building the structure in poor weather.
"It's always a thrill. A thrill is a positive thing and also you have concerns, but I think it came out well. Now it's open to the public, it's given to the public, so I think it's important that people experience the space and come together well."
The architect hopes visitors will enjoy the space and be intrigued by it. "People are walking around, sitting down and that's what it's meant to be. Exchanging their expressions, this is what we can provide with good architecture."
Design duo Herzog & de Meuron and Ai have previously collaborated on Beijing's "Bird Nest" National Stadium and met 10 years ago in 2002 when Uli Sigg, the former Swiss ambassador in Beijing, introduced them.
The architects and Ai communicated through Skype to collaborate on this project, a method that worked smoothly for both parties.
"We were very familiar with one another because we've worked on five to six projects together. We would hold up our drawings to show one another and throw out suggestions. We cooperated very well in this aspect," Ai said.
"Under such special circumstances, it is greatly significant that I, as a criminal suspect, a criminal suspect of a country, used modern technologies (referring to Skype) to work together with the best architecture company in the world and design a very high-profile project for Serpentine," he added
"It was not at all difficult, it was like as if he was in the same room with us," de Meuron mused.
The artist, who was not present in London as he is under travel restrictions by the government in China, told Reuters he would have liked to have attended the opening.
De Meuron echoed this sentiment, hoping this would change in the future for Ai.
"I wish him this. Freedom to do it."
(Additional Reporting by Ed Baran, editing by Paul Casciato)
London Welsh claim Championship title - Belfast Telegraph
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Now the club need another significant victory off the pitch if they are to claim a place among England's elite clubs next season.
London Welsh have outlined their determination to appeal the decision - made by the Professional Game Board and approved by the Rugby Football Union - to block their promotion.
Chairman Bleddyn Phillips vowed before the game that London Welsh, if crowned champions, would do "everything within our power" to overturn the RFU's decision.
London Welsh came into the second leg of the play-off final at Oxford's Kassam Stadium - their proposed Premiership home - with a 16-point advantage.
They overcame a spirited Pirates performance to seal victory on the night with tries from Hudson Tonga'hui and Jack Moates and 19 points from the boot of full-back Alex Davies.
The Pirates had threatened a comeback when wing Matt Evans finished an electric breakaway try to put them 13-6 ahead.
But by the time Ryan Storer drove over for a try five minutes from time, the Championship title was already heading to Old Deer Park.
The result will extend the uncertainty for Newcastle, who finished bottom of the Premiership but do not yet know whether they will be relegated.
"Hopefully everything off the pitch will get sorted now. We have given the RFU something to think about," London Welsh captain Jonathan Mills told Sky Sports 1.
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