Named from the Olympics – beginning proceedings in opposition to the SOK

Two years in the past, Emil Bengtson set a lofty purpose. He gained Olympic gold in Paris 2024, or fairly in Marseille, the place crusing competitions are determined.

In January, the indoor membership took a step on the lengthy street, by organizing a Swedish nationwide place within the Olympics within the class ILCA7, previously referred to as Laser, at the bathroom in Australia.

However in Could he received phrase from the Swedish Crusing Affiliation and SOK that he is not going to be allowed to go. The Swedish Crusing Federation just isn’t even nominated as a result of it’s not thought-about to satisfy the frequent requirement by SOK that you could be capable to compete for a spot among the many prime twelve, the so-called fundamental criterion .

Bengtson believes so it is carried out properly sufficient, however that is not the principle cause he went to Cas to get SOK to vary his resolution.

– The SOC breaks the Olympic Constitution by establishing its personal guidelines. We’re solely following in direction of what’s actually within the contract, says Eduard Kaiser, consultant of Bengtson.

Within the contract, which could be seen as the muse of the Olympic motion, it’s mentioned that the nationwide Olympic federation, on this case the IOC, is answerable for these despatched to the hOlympics “preparation for competitors on the highest stage. worldwide customary”. Bengtson believes that SOK misinterpreted part 44.5 of the treaty by setting its personal customary.

– The extent has already been authorised and confirmed by the IOC after suggestions from the worldwide federations, on this case World Crusing (Worldwide Crusing Federation). The extent known as a quota place and Emil has handed it, says Kaiser, who believes that SOK’s actions are additionally in opposition to Olympic statutes as a result of they agreed to Sweden’s Olympic place in March, however then let they handed it in Could.

Kaiser factors to wording within the paragraph on qualification ideas which states that the preliminary resolution to say sure or no to the Olympic place is binding and can’t be modified.

Emil Bengtson says that after receiving the nod from the Olympic Video games, he and his advisers received to know the Olympic guidelines and determined that he has a proper to his aspect. He believes that it was not potential for SOK, within the discussions they’d, to discuss with clauses within the contract that give the correct to his personal standards.

– SOK choice standards have existed for a very long time. It’s unhappy that the violations in opposition to the IOC guidelines had been capable of final so lengthy and have an effect on so many. This isn’t nearly me, however about all of the Swedish athletes who weren’t allowed to go to the Olympics as a result of the SOK has established its personal guidelines, says Bengtson.

The choice standards had been reviewed in reference to the creation of this system known as High and expertise across the flip of the century, when SOK needed to extend Sweden’s medal probabilities after a number of much less profitable video games. Then the so-called most 8 requirement was launched. The foundations have been criticized up to now – for instance when 800-metre runner Lovisa Lindh was banned from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

After a transfer from, amongst others, the Swedish Athletics Federation and after an inner investigation, finally yr’s SOK annual assembly, the requirement was modified from prime 8 to prime 12, however some associations believes it must be the worldwide customary of qualification. software.

Peter Reinebo is the outgoing head of operations at SOK and can lead the Swedish group in Paris. He was concerned in establishing the choice standards and was additionally concerned in analysis final yr.

Reinebo defends the choice to not use Sweden’s quota place in ILCA7 and says there isn’t any sailor who has met the nationwide standards.

– I additionally suppose it must be famous that the Crusing Affiliation didn’t identify Emil Bengtson or some other sailor in that class, says Reinebo.

However now Bengtson believes that the SOK should observe the Olympic constitution and can’t have its personal guidelines.

– It’s fully mistaken. The IOC should approve our statutes to ensure that us to turn out to be a sanctioned Nationwide Olympic Federation. Then we will have our personal algorithm on sports activities betting and Olympic choice, identical to we’ve got for the group’s enterprise pointers. It isn’t one thing the IOC has to approve. We additionally know that almost all of confederations have nationwide electoral necessities much like Sweden, together with the Nordic nations. In some instances they’re simpler, in some instances more durable than ours, says Reinebo.

Consultant Bengtson claims you broke the principles whenever you first mentioned sure after which no to the quota place he saved.

– We all the time settle for preliminary functions with the situation that the athlete should be certified in accordance with our nationwide standards. Then we make a brand new evaluation when the qualification interval is over and are available to a definitive resolution, says Reinebo and confirms that the IOC asks the SOC if it accepts the quota place took Sweden (Bengtson), it’s clear that it’s the nationality. Olympic Federation has the ultimate say.

What do you say about Bengtson now going to Cas?

– I can solely say that to date we’ve got not acquired any info.

DN has contacted the IOC, which refers to paragraph 27 of the Olympic Constitution. It states: “that the Nationwide Olympic Committees have the identical proper to signify their nations on the Olympic Video games and at regional, continental or worldwide multi-sport occasions sponsored by the IOC. Moreover, it’s the accountability of every Nationwide Olympic Committee to take part within the Olympics by sending athletes”. In its response, the IOC doesn’t say that the SOK is performing improperly.

Emil Bengtson however considers that the reference to part 27 entitles him.

– SOK is answerable for sending athletes to the Olympics. The SOK should additionally be sure that the Olympic Constitution is noticed of their nations and take measures in opposition to all types of discrimination and violence, says Bengtson.

On Wednesday, Bengtson and his adviser started the method in Cas. They need a fast resolution. July 7 is the deadline to finalize Sweden’s Olympic squad.

– Time speaks in opposition to us, however we all know that we’ve got the administration of justice on our aspect, mentioned Kaiser.