Denied: Caster Semenya’s Appeal
On May 1, by CAS. The hoped-for reversal of the IAAF’s new rules covering hyperandogenous athletes did not succeed, allowing the protocol to go into effect on May 8. See here for more.
Died: Vitaliy Chernobay, 89
In L’viv, Ukraine, on May 19. A 3-time World Ranker in the pole vault (high of No. 9 in ’55 & ’57), he placed 13th in the ’56 Olympics.
Died: Josef Matoušek, 90
On May 11, in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Czech Republic. A 3-time World Ranker in the hammer, for Czechoslovakia, with a best ranking of No. 5 in ’63. He placed 9th in the ’64 Olympics.
Died: Roberto Quercetani, 97
In Florence on May 13. The longtime European editor of T&FN, “RLQ” was one of the sport’s most respected and influential historians and statisticians. See here for an appreciation.
Died: Iosif Nagy, 71
On March 20. Romanian discus thrower World Ranked No. 10 in ’81.
Died: Erika Strasser, 85
In Linz on April 30. Austrian javelin thrower World Ranked No. 9 in ’62 and later served as president of the Austrian federation.
Died: Michael Wessing, 66
In Wattenscheid, Germany, on May 7; of unexpected complications from hip-replacement surgery. The West German javelin thrower was No. 1 in the ’78 World Rankings, the year he won European gold. He also ranked in ’77 & ’79. □
