Topic: Editorial: Casey at Bat- The Innocent Punished

[Mike Wittmer]

There is much information on this matter I can not currently disclose but which will all come out after the Olympics.

Yeah, I have heard from many who have "inside" information that they have obtained in confidence.  It will be interesting to see what actually comes out.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I can assure you it will come out. And, I will spill the beans if it didn't of course. But, I expect to have all the documentation quickly after the Games are over.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I have been given permission to release some of the information I have with more to come soon.

1) Ajan promised the 3rd mens slot to the USA on three different occasions to be official after the Greek doping scandal was finalized, and he then withdrew the promise saying the IOC would not let him fulfill it.

2) There is no IWF rule at this point regarding how points earned toward slots from dope busted athletes/nations should be redistributed and they therefore were not redistributed. If those points were redistributed, including the ones voluntarily given up by Bulgaria and/or the points that Greece earned with busted athletes, the USA would have had its 3rd slot.

3) Casey was very close to lifting in these Olympics. The IOC at one point told Ajan to put him in. Casey was entered in the meet and then Ajan cited the rule against adding lifters after the start list was finalized and the IOC told him to take him out.

4) On March 31 in Madrid Spain, there will be new IWF elections. Ajan has lost most of his support and WE could finally get rid of him and turn our sport around. But, WE must keep the pressure on him and the Coffa's who are his primary support.

More to come, but the USA possibly getting the Olympic Games here IS being cited as a reason not to stand our ground and fight, as Mike Wittmer suggested, and which is reasoning I completely reject.

[Mike Wittmer]

I have been given permission to release some of the information I have with more to come soon.

1) Ajan promised the 3rd mens slot to the USA on three different occasions to be official after the Greek doping scandal was finalized, and he then withdrew the promise saying the IOC would not let him fulfill it.

2) There is no IWF rule at this point regarding how points earned toward slots from dope busted athletes/nations should be redistributed and they therefore were not redistributed. If those points were redistributed, including the ones voluntarily given up by Bulgaria and/or the points that Greece earned with busted athletes, the USA would have had its 3rd slot.

3) Casey was very close to lifting in these Olympics. The IOC at one point told Ajan to put him in. Casey was entered in the meet and then Ajan cited the rule against adding lifters after the start list was finalized and the IOC told him to take him out.

4) On March 31 in Madrid Spain, there will be new IWF elections. Ajan has lost most of his support and WE could finally get rid of him and turn our sport around. But, WE must keep the pressure on him and the Coffa's who are his primary support.

More to come, but the USA possibly getting the Olympic Games here IS being cited as a reason not to stand our ground and fight, as Mike Wittmer suggested, and which is reasoning I completely reject.

I fail to see why any of this cannot be released or needs "permission" to be released.  I don't have Ajan's letter to the USOC in front of me, but he said something to the effect that the USA never was given a third slot.  It may come down to documentation as in "if it is not documented, it did not happen."   

Do you reject the possibility that politics (the 2016 Olympics) are behind USOC actions, or lack of, in this case?
Or, do you reject the 2016 Olympics as a reason to back down?  For the record, I suggest that the possibility of getting the 2016 Games is a reason for the USOC not to rock the boat.  I do not have enough information to say whether or not that is the right thing to do.

And, now that the Olympics are finished, and Casey did not lift, what would we be fighting for?

Personally, I just want to know what happened and when.  I mentioned previously what I think our people should have done, based on the information I currently have.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I fail to see why any of this cannot be released or needs "permission" to be released.

While most of it is information potentially obtained through careful study of the rulebooks and news already published, it is a portion of confidential information released to me. In such cases, sources that request to be anonymous must have that request respected in legitimate journalism.

I don't have Ajan's letter to the USOC in front of me, but he said something to the effect that the USA never was given a third slot.  It may come down to documentation as in "if it is not documented, it did not happen."   

He said there was nothing "official." If someone gives me their word, I refuse to accept it is meaningless unless followed up by something in writing. Such a position merely indicates that person has no honor.

Do you reject the possibility that politics (the 2016 Olympics) are behind USOC actions, or lack of, in this case?

No, that is the truth apparently. Casey was sacrificed in part for this reason.

Or, do you reject the 2016 Olympics as a reason to back down?

Yes, I reject that reasoning. I am more of a believer in never leaving a wounded comrade/teammate behind (Casey). This just sounds like politics to me.

And, now that the Olympics are finished, and Casey did not lift, what would we be fighting for?

WE should fight to get rid of Ajan as well as the "fines" better known as bribes. Otherwise, Casey gave up his rights for nothing except maybe the possibility WE will get the Games someday, which is very poor compensation in my book- more corruption for selling out our teammate.

Personally, I just want to know what happened and when.  I mentioned previously what I think our people should have done, based on the information I currently have.

I hear that. I am not pleased with the current situation, including my sources and their political decision not to rock the boat any further. I have many steps to take now to increase the pressure and make more of the facts public, and I will do so. I have numerous leads and intend to follow them relentlessly.

[Mike Wittmer]

Chris, do you think there is a good reason for your "source" to stay anonymous?

Do you think the USAW officials will eventually explain, to the membership, what happened?

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Chris, do you think there is a good reason for your "source" to stay anonymous?

Its multiple sources, and no, I don't think their reasoning is legitimate. I think it is time to stand and fight! Of course, I have thought that for years. Still, never before have so many people agreed with me in that regard and I smell blood!

Do you think the USAW officials will eventually explain, to the membership, what happened?

No. But, I feel I can expose everything anyway, and more. I have some big leads and avenues to do so and intend to put massive pressure on the status quo. Please, just give me two weeks.

[Mike Wittmer]

Chris, do you think there is a good reason for your "source" to stay anonymous?

Its multiple sources, and no, I don't think their reasoning is legitimate. I think it is time to stand and fight! Of course, I have thought that for years. Still, never before have so many people agreed with me in that regard and I smell blood!

Do you think the USAW officials will eventually explain, to the membership, what happened?

No. But, I feel I can expose everything anyway, and more. I have some big leads and avenues to do so and intend to put massive pressure on the status quo. Please, just give me two weeks.

Got it.  I believe that, with more information, it is probable even more people may join in your way of thinking.