Vipa Bernhardt Withdraws Legal Challenge for Beijing Roster

BERLIN, Germany, July 21. IT looks like a controversy was nipped in the bud by Team Germany as Vipa Bernhardt withdrew her legal challenge attempting to secure a spot on the 2008 Olympic Roster for Beijing, according to Reuters.

"The court advised us to withdraw our challenge," Michael Ulmer, president of Bernhardt's club that had filed the challenge said to Reuters."We've done that now. We could have cleared this all up earlier. There would not have been as much turmoil."

A week ago, Bernhardt won a hard-fought court injunction to added to the roster due to a technicality, even though she placed third in the 200 breast at Trials.

Bernhardt's case stood on a rule within the German swimming federation stating that a national athlete may only compete for a foreign school – not a club. Allegedly, second-place finisher in the 200 breast Anne Poleska represented Coral Springs Swim Club of Florida in as many as 10 meets throughout the state.

"I've got to accept that now," Bernhardt said to Reuters. "I wish Anne Poleska all the best for the Olympics."

Full text of Reuters article.

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