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Ciobanu moved to Ireland 10 years ago and has been representing this country ever since. Cathal Noonan
Rio 2016

Ciobanu's Olympic appeal falls on deaf ears as Athletics Ireland stick by controversial decision

An Independent Appeals Committee finds there was no ‘error of fact or a procedural deficit’ in selection process.

SERGIU CIOBANU’S APPEAL against his omission from Ireland’s Olympic marathon team has been denied.

The Moldovan-born athlete was controversially excluded from the three-man team for Rio despite running the third fastest time of the Irish qualifiers..

Athletics Ireland categorically denied claims that the country of Ciobanu’s birth played a role in the decision and have today confirmed his appeal has been dismissed.

An Independent Appeals Committee ruled that the association made ‘no error’ in selecting its three athletes to represent Ireland at this summer’s Games.

“Athletics Ireland acknowledge the decision of the Independent Appeals Committee to deny the appeal of Sergiu Ciobanu regarding the marathon selection for the Olympic Games,” a statement read.

“The association would once again like to recognise the disappointment of the athletes not selected who achieved qualifying standards.

“It is a measure of the progress made to have 7 men and 8 women with qualifying times from which the selection panel could only choose three in each category.

“The task of the Independent Appeals Committee was determine whether there was an error of fact or a procedural deficit when the Selectors came to their original decision – none was found.

“All marathon selected athletes and reserves are required to stay in peak physical condition as any injured athletes may be replaced when the final team announcement for the Olympics is made on July 11th by the Olympic Council of Ireland.”

The three-man team of Paul Pollock, Mick Clohisey and Kevin Seaward was picked by a panel of five selectors and ratified by the Olympic Council of Ireland.

The men’s marathon takes place on 21 August.

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