Quarter-miler McPherson to be upgraded to bronze from Moscow World Championships
Jamaican female quarter-miler Stephanie Ann McPherson will be awarded the bronze medal from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, next Friday on the opening day of the London World Championships, four years later following the disqualification of Russia’s Antonina Krivoshapka who had finished third.
It is the first individual medal for McPherson in what would have been back-to-back fourth-place finishes after she was also fourth in the Olympic Games a year earlier. This upgrade takes Jamaica’s medal haul from Moscow to nine — six gold, two silver and a bronze.
In a release yesterday, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) announced four reallocation ceremonies where athletes and relays teams who were promoted into medal positions following disqualifications in previous editions — 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
“The IAAF World Championships London 2017 will rightfully see the reallocation of a number of World Championship medals, including two golds. These upgrades follow the disqualification of the results of the original medallists after their sanction for anti-doping rule violations,” the release said.
“In total, 11 individual athletes and five teams from across 11 events at four previous IAAF World Championships have accepted invitations to receive their reallocated medals in London. With respect to fellow athletes who have not been able to take up this opportunity, the IAAF is in contact with their national federations to find other occasions to present them their medals.
In the release, IAAF President Sebastian Coe commented: “I’m delighted that the athletes are properly honoured for their achievements and what better way than in front of passionate athletics fans at a major championship.
“For those receiving gold medals their moment in London will be all the more special as they will hear their national anthem played. Whatever their nationality clean athletes worldwide will celebrate with them.”
McPherson had originally finished fourth in 49.99 seconds in Moscow, edged out by the Russian after Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogo had chased and caught Botswana’s Amantle Montsho on the line.