A Chicago arbitrator may decide the final makeup of the U.S. men`s speed skating team for the Olympic Games in Calgary.
Attorney Ken Denzel was prepared to call on the arbitrator in behalf of his client, Tom Cushman, a Minneapolis skater. Denzel claims Cushman made the U.S. team during the Olympic trials in December but was told Tuesday he must enter a skateoff to keep his spot in the 500-meter race.
Denzel said U.S. coach Mike Crowe and team manager John Byrne exercised
”very arbitrary and unfair action.”
Denzel also charged in a letter to the two that their actions ”violate a number of policies, purposes and provisions of your own organization, the United States Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Games and federal law.”
According to U.S. Olympic team rules, skaters picked in the trials can lose these positions for three reasons: injury, failure to train properly, or discipline or attitude problems.
”None of these criteria apply to my client, Cushman,” Denzel said.
Denzel said in his letter he will submit the matter to the American Arbitration Association in Chicago if the matter isn`t settled.
![Police department leaders in at least two Illinois towns have canceled upcoming training classes for their officers offered by a private firm whose past practices were criticized by a New Jersey state agency for promoting unconstitutional tactics and for glorifying violence. Street Cop Training was slated to hold training classes in five Illinois communities between April and November: Burr Ridge, Cary, Elgin, Mount Vernon and Rochelle. The company’s courses are not certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, state officials said, meaning any officers who attended those classes would not receive continuing education credits. In December, the […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ctc-l-dennis-benigno-1-01.jpg?w=546 "Police department leaders in at least two Illinois towns have canceled upcoming training classes for their officers offered by a private firm whose past practices were criticized by a New Jersey state agency for promoting unconstitutional tactics and for glorifying violence. Street Cop Training was slated to hold training classes in five Illinois communities between April and November: Burr Ridge, Cary, Elgin, Mount Vernon and Rochelle. The company’s courses are not certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, state officials said, meaning any officers who attended those classes would not receive continuing education credits. In December, the […]")
