Random Olympic History Fact

Nancy Burpee is an amazing swimmer who will not receive the chance to show her talents in an Olympic format due to a bizarre incident. The United States Paralympics team, that included Ms. Burpee, was selected at the United States Olympic trials. During these trials, Ms. Burpee set world records in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. However, at the Paralympics trials, Ms. Burpee was disqualified by an Australian referee on a procedural technicality. After her disqualification, Ms. Burpee telephoned Kevin P. Simmons, a partner at Simmons, Jannace & Stagg, and asked the firm to intercede on her behalf to have the disqualification overturned. In addition, Ms. Burpee requested that the firm commence an action against the United States Olympic Committee requiring the committee to name her to the Olympic Team. The law firm of Simmons, Jannace & Stagg represented Nancy Burpee on a pro bono basis in her attempt to participate in the 2004 Paralympics Games. The firm commenced arbitration under the United States Olympic Committee Rules and live testimony was taken from swim referees in Canada and Australia. Simmons, Jannace & Stagg argued that the Australian referee showed bias against Ms. Burpee by making various comments indicating that he did not want Ms. Burpee competing against an Australian Paralympics swimmer. Simmons, Jannace & Stagg also demonstrated that the United States Paralympics swim trials were not held in accordance with the Paralympics rules. Despite these efforts, an independent arbitrator ruled against Ms. Burpee and declined to force the United States Olympic Committee to name her to the Paralympics Team. As a symbol of her commitment, Ms. Burpee has still continued her swim career and will compete in the World Championships in the upcoming year.

Now that is a great story to show your kids that even the best don’t always get all the breaks – but, they also don’t let it get them down!