O'Hare withdraws arbitration request

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Speedskater Tommy O'Hare on Thursday withdrew his demand for arbitration in a disputed race, clearing the way for budding Olympic star Apolo Ohno to compete at the Salt Lake City Games.

The decision capped a three-day hearing in Colorado Springs, Colo., where an independent arbitrator determined there was not enough evidence to support O'Hare's claim that last month's 1,000-meter qualifying race was fixed.

O'Hare had accused Ohno and Rusty Smith of conspiring to fix a race at last month's Olympic trials in Utah so Shani Davis, one of Ohno's close friends, could qualify for the U.S. team.

"The team is the same now as it was before we came into the arbitration," said Steve Smith, an attorney for U.S. Speedskating.

O'Hare couldn't immediately be reached for comment. One of his lawyers, Kevin Duff, said the outcome means O'Hare won't compete in the Olympics but "he is satisfied with the outcome."

Smith finished second and Ohno third behind Davis, whose victory enabled him to qualify for the Olympic team. If Davis had not won, O'Hare would have made the team.

Three other U.S. speedskaters supplied sworn statements that they heard Ohno and Smith conspiring to ensure Davis won the race, according to affidavits.

Duff said as part of an agreement, Smith has withdrawn a defamation lawsuit he filed last week against O'Hare.

 

Related information
Stories
Speedskater Ohno ready to soar Speedskater Ohno accused of fixing race
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.