Valpo Sports Law Clinic aids athlete in IAAF reinstatement
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Michelle Collins has been reinstated by The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) and is now free to compete in sanctioned competition. Ms. Collins, a track and field athlete, accepted a four-year suspension in 2004 with no guarantee of reinstatement upon conclusion. She served all but three months of that penalty and was represented in her petition for reinstatement by the Valpo Sports Law Clinic.

Soon after the IAAF completed its 2004 proceedings, Ms. Collins began cooperating with the Association, The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and Federal investigators looking into the use of performance enhancing drugs. She is believed to be the first person reinstated by the IAAF after such cooperation. Both USADA and IRS Agent Jeff Nowitzky, lead investigator in the BALCO case in which Ms. Collins assisted, supported her reinstatement.

“Michelle admitted she made a mistake and served her penalty for it. She voluntarily came forward to assist in these investigations without any expectation of a reward. She wanted to make amends. The IAAF recognized the value of that help and reinstated her. She continues to support efforts to eliminate the use of performance enhancing drugs,” said Professor Michael Straubel, Director of the Valparaiso Sports Law Clinic.

“All I want to do now is return to the sport I love,” said Ms. Collins. “I look forward to competing again. This was a very long process and I am anxious to get back out and showcase whatever talent God has given me. I thank the Sports Law Clinic for all the fine work it did on my behalf.”

Ms. Collins competes in the 200 and 400 meter sprints. Despite a stress fracture in her right hip, she ran the 400 meter sprint at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She is a past champion in that event at the World University Games and is a graduate of the University of Houston with a B.A. in Radio and Television.

Founded in 2005 as a service of Valparaiso University School of Law, the Valparaiso Sports Law Clinic provides need-based pro bono legal assistance to amateur athletes and coaches. The clinic has handled numerous national, state and local cases and operated on site at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

For more information:
Tom Shaer
Media Relations Consultant, Valparaiso University School of Law
224-305-2551
shaermedia@aol.com
www.sportslawclinic.org and www.valpo.edu/law