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Sprinter Koime trains despite suspension
By WENDY KATUSELE
TOP female sprinter Mae Koime is not going to let her suspension by the Papua New Guinea Athletics Union stop her from continuing training. Koime had to abandon her Olympic training scholarship in Brisbane, Australia prior to the Beijing Olympics due to a conflict between her other PNG female athletes. The PNGAU had then slapped a one-year suspension on her from overseas training and competitions. However, she can still continue running in dometsic competitions. PNGAU president, Tony Green when contacted through email said Koime had been suspended from overseas training and competition for one year at the conclusion of the Beijing Games but the union had been encouraging her to continue training and competing in domestic competition. Green added that the suspension was slapped before the Beijing games but the PNGSF endorsed Sports Tribunal had over ruled that decision since PNGAU had not given Koime sufficient time to explain her reasons for returning back to the country before completing her program. That decision by JC had allowed her to participate at the Beijing Olympics. “Mae is suspended from overseas training and competition for one year starting from the conclusion of the Beijing games,” Green said. “We are encouraging her to continue training and competition here,” he added. It was hoped that the Gulf woman would be eligible for the Pacific Mini Games in Rarotonga, Cook Islands once her suspension is lifted by August 24. Unfortunately the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation’s Justification Committee has dropped athletics from the participating at the games due to non compliance of attendance at JC meetings. Twenty-four-year old Koime told Sunday Chronicle that her suspension would be lifted by end of August a month before the Mini Games. “I see it as not a suspension but a disciplinary action taken for me to take into account that there had been so much time and money put into my training preparations for the Olympics which I accept but that does not stop me from continuing my training,” Koime said. Koime has been at the Sir John Guise track every afternoon doing what an athlete is suppose to do. She has been doing gymnasium work outs three times a day with the support of her current employer and sponsor Daltron. The marketing officer said her company has been supportive and helpful and they need to be commended for that. |
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