The same is said of New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams who was promoted from the London Olympic Silver to the Gold medal when Belorussian shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk was forced to hand over her crown after blitzing the competition, but then failing a drug test. (www.smh.com.au)
At the time of the London Olympic 'shot put' there were raised eyebrows at Nadzeya Ostapchuk performance but it would have been ill-conceived to bring accusations without evidence had Adams or anyone else, said something untoward. Now, the truth is out. The Belorussian cheated. Valerie Adams is the real London Olympic Gold medallist.
New Zealanders are livid. Where is Valerie Adams Gold medal podium rightful glory with the New Zealand flag and anthem played before London's Olympic spectators and a world television audience, before family, friends, team mates, New Zealand officials and VIPs. And now there is some doubt that the Belarusians will even hand over the Shot Put Gold medal.
There is talk of a New Zealand ceremony at home, when Valarie Adams makes it back as she is on the international circuit and may not get home for some months or even a year. But it is never the same. The IOC should show cause why those test results were not in earlier rather than after the Closing Ceremony as it took a week for those tests to be analysed. (www.news.com.au)
Surely there should be another Gold medal podium presentation after a Gold medallist drug cheat is revealed, even if it is at the following Olympics and at the cost of the nation whose athlete drug cheated. The rule could be: No pay up, No participation.
New Zealand young writers
On the other hand the New Zealand young writers are Gold Medallists through and through. Christian Today has allocated three columns a week, a column each on Monday's, Thursday's and Friday's. This is the second week of its program.
Auckland's Sam Burrows was first up, followed by Tash McGill and then Dunedin's Dillon Thornton. This week Peter Rope continued the good work followed tomorrow by Chloe Pryor and on Friday by Gemma Margerison.
Errol Pike the President of the Australasian Religious Press Association from Wellington New Zealand sent an email to me stating: "Very impressive article. Good to see such young talent in NZ. Blessing for encouraging it."
Christina Tyson the editor of Warcry New Zealand (Salvation Army) sent this email: "Really enjoyed (Sam's) article in today's NZ young writers segment. Thanks for letting the Kiwis lose on your Aussie site!"
There remain vacancies in the New Zealand young writers program. Please contact me (Mark Tronson) at timeout@bushorchestra.com or (61) 487 245 207
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
