Some Recent Developments in the Olympic World - the "Osaka Rule"

Two recent developments regarding the same controversial rule that would sanction any athlete who is suspended for more than 6 months for a doping offense with a ban from the next Olympics after their suspension ends: (1) the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee have agreed to have the Court of Arbitration for Sport decide the validity or invalidity of the rule; and (2) the International Olympic Committee has determined that the rule does not apply to Jessica Hardy, therefore clearing her way to the 2012 Olympic Games. Both developments are recent, and here is a sampling of some of the commentary from three reporters who have closely followed the issue - Phil Hersh, Bonnie Ford, and Alan Abrahamson

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/04/ioc-usoc-make-nice-to-seek-ruling-on-merritt-doping-case.html

http://espn.go.com/blog/olympics/post/_/id/728/jessica-hardy-ruling-is-the-right-one

http://3wiresports.com/2011/04/28/a-win-for-jessica-hardy-and-common-sense/