Australians squabbling over figure skating roster for Sochi

Australians squabbling over figure skating roster for Sochi

Published Dec. 2, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

The naming of Australia's women's Olympic figure skating team has been delayed after Sochi hopeful Chantelle Kerry took a dispute over the selection of fellow prospect Brooklee Han to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Australian Olympic Committee was expected to announce all of its figure skating positions Wednesday but will now only present men's competitor Brendan Kerry, Chantelle's brother, and ice dancing couple Danielle O'Brien and Greg Merriman as the first Australian athletes confirmed for the Sochi Games in February.

Chantelle Kerry claims that U.S.-born Han is ineligible for Sochi because she entered an event without the approval of the national federation. The CAS hearing is scheduled for next week.

Kerry was unsuccessful in another appeals tribunal appeal in August in which she argued Han should not be allowed to attend an Olympic qualifying event in Germany, where Han ultimately earned a spot for the Winter Olympics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Han, who is based in Connecticut, was born and raised in the United States but can qualify for the Australian team through her father's nationality. She would be competing at her first Olympics.

share