With just a day before the 2008 Olympics begin in Beijing, we’ve learned that Casey Burgener, who earned the #3 slot for the US men’s team will not be competing. Casey called his parents early this morning from Beijing informing them he will not be competing. Casey’s fate apparently was decided by the President of the IWF, Dr. Tamas Ajan, at a Technical Meeting Thursday morning.

Here is a press release from over a month ago that did not go out due to possible “negative publicity”:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 4 2008

Casey Burgener thought he had achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming an Olympic athlete, qualifying for the US Olympic Weightlifting Team by lifting 180 kilos (396 lbs) in the snatch and 224 kilos (492 lbs) in the clean and jerk, the two competition lifts in Olympic Weightlifting, for a total of 404 kilos (888 lbs.).
Casey is from Bonsall in North San Diego County and graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School where his father and coach, Mike, is a PE teacher and strength coach. Casey Burgener is the 105 plus kilogram (super heavyweight) weightlifter for the US Men’s National Weightlifting Team. A two time National Champion, ‘06, ‘07, weighing in at just 275 lbs, Casey should be representing the U.S. in the heaviest weight class in Olympic Weightlifting, competing against Weightlifters that out weigh him by as much as 100 lbs. Casey thought he would be competing along with team mate and fiance Natalie Woolfolk who also qualified for the Womens Olympic Weightlifting Team.

This, from Greg Everett:

“This is an ongoing issue. Basically we were told the men were competing for 3 slots at trials. Casey earned that 3rd slot. Afterward, that 3rd spot was never made official. So USAW, IWF, IOC and OSOC are all arguing about what’s going on, and it’s bull**** because Casey lifted to make a total for that 3rd position; had we known there were only 2, his strategy at trials may have been different. We’re still hoping it gets worked out, particularly considering all the openings after the entire Bulgarian and Greek teams getting booted, and Mutlu and Rezazadeh withdrawing.”

It appears Greg thinks there is some hope for Casey to compete.

From a post of Casey’s father, Mike Burgener:

We are praying casey gets to lift. as has been indicated our beef is with the iwf that told us we have 3 slots. casey’s lifts were predicated on going after the 3rd slot hence note that he did not take a 3rd clean and jerk…..there was no need as he won the 3rd slot and became a member of the olympic team. if casey does not get to lift then he has been denied an opportunity then to make the team. we are betting that with all the drop outs that casey will lift. he is being taken to china, he has his visa, he is being outfitted, mrs b and i are going……HE IS LIFTING!!! come on say it with me: HE IS LIFTING!!! over and over again!!!!

So there is optimism and hope that Casey will get to compete. We’ll wait and see. It ain’t over ’til it’s over!

Earlier, we read this from AFP:

Iran’s double Olympic gold medallist Hossein Rezazadeh has pulled out of the 2008 Games because he was not in good enough shape to defend his title, a weightlifting official said.

Well maybe, but I think the Mad Mullahs got wind Rezazadeh may have wanted to defect from Iran, (and who wouldn’t)? He did turn down offers for a change in nationality from Turkey and Greece after 2004. In any case, it sounds like the mullahs had something to do with this.  Just my opine, though!

Back in June, the entire freakin’ Bulgarian weightlifting team was pulled from the Games for doping! Well, what a surprise! Steroids? Who knew?

Oh, and did I mention 11 Greek lifters tested positive for the Cheater Juice. The Greeks now are sending only 4 lifters.

As Jim Rome would say, “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying”. Of course, if you get caught, you suffer the consequences.

After getting rid of the first round of cheaters, it would be cruel irony if Casey, (drug-free, by the way) does not get to compete as he deserves, but I hope he does. 

The Olympics have become a farce.

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