U.S. diver Mary Ellen Clark, a bronze medalist, has been
"reprimanded" by the USOC for wearing a Speedo -- not Champion --
outfit during her medal ceremony. However, Clark will not have
to forfeit her living stipend or give up her $15,000 in prize
money, as had been speculated. U.S. Diving spokesperson Dave
Shatowski: "The matter is closed." Neither Champion -- which
holds rights to the official U.S. medal ceremony uniform -- nor
the USOC wanted the negative publicity from denying a medalist
her prizes and honors, such as a trip to the White House. So,
the USOC "caved in -- but only after making enough of a fuss to
prevent other athletes from doing the same thing on purpose" (Bob
Ford, PHILA. INQUIRER, 7/30). Clark: "I'll be wearing Champion
for the rest of the Games" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/30).
THE WORLD AWAITS: The parents of Kerri Strug released a
statement yesterday saying that no decision has been made on
whether she will attend UCLA, as planned, -- or whether she will
turn pro and accept various endorsement offers. That decision
will be put off until after the Games. The offers include buying
the film rights to her life story (Susan Viniella, ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/30). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont mentions the
financial stakes, as well as her ankle injury, as a possible
reason for pulling out of the individual event finals (BOSTON
GLOBE, 7/30).
WHATSAMATTA, FOUR GOLDS NOT GOOD ENOUGH YA? The N.Y. DAILY
NEWS' Ian O'Connor notes that Strug, Janet Evans, Michelle Smith
and the bombing have combined to obscure gold medalist Amy Van
Dyken (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/30).
