update-decision overturned
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Decision reversed on cancer-support wristbands
By PAUL WHITE, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 13, 2004
Last updated: 1:34 PM
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Background: More than two dozen runners disqualified
VIRGINIA BEACH Stung by criticism at home and across the country, the Beach District has reversed its decision to disqualify high school cross country runners for wearing Lance Armstrong LiveStrong wristbands.
''I made this decision because, in all fairness, adequate prior notice had not been given to the participants, Bruce Biehl , Kellam High School s principal and the chairman of Beach District cross country, said in a statement released Tuesday.
More than 20 runners were declared ineligible last Wednesday in a meet at the Sportsplex for wearing the popular LiveStrong bands, sold for $1 apiece. Proceeds go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation , which provides practical information to cancer survivors.
Biehl said the meet results are being re-tallied and will be announced today. Runners also will be allowed to wear the wristbands for the rest of the district cross country season, he said.
Biehl added that clarification will be sought on wearing the bands during region and state competition.
Many of the runners said they were unaware that the bands were classified as jewelry and would have taken them off had they known they risked disqualification by continuing to wear them.
''Our kids certainly werent wearing them to be defiant, said Mike Nestor , the coach at Ocean Lakes High . ''Were kind of in awe of everything thats happened.
A flood of e-mails protesting the decision followed Saturdays Virginian-Pilot story detailing the Beach divisions action. The move also was lampooned nationally on ESPN s ''SportsCenter and in a piece by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Ray Ratto .
''I realize the earlier decision resonated very negatively among the schools and athletes involved, as well as within the community at large, Biehls statement said.
The decision to disqualify the runners, Biehl said, was in keeping with a recently drafted National Federation of State High School Associations ruling classifying the band as jewelry.
But Biehl acknowledged that runners and coaches werent given a proper heads-up. The Virginia High School League circulated the new policy to schools on Oct. 4 , two days before the meet.
''I have learned a valuable lesson from the perspective of 20/20 hindsight, Biehl said in his statement. ''Gray areas will often surface when competition and kids are involved. Those of us who wear the title 'official need to work all the harder to strike the right balance between flexibility and commitment to long-standing rules.
Nestor said the controversy actually has served as a learning tool for his athletes.
''Sometimes you wear that band but forget what its really for, Nestor said. ''Ive received e-mails from all over the country from cancer survivors voicing their support. Through their stories, weve learned what an inspiration that band really is.