It's One Giant Leap Backward This Time
SACRAMENTO — Robert Howard was standing off to the side of the Hornet Stadium track Monday night, screaming at a television set, screaming for justice.
"Hello America! Did you see it? I'm watching it on television right now!" Howard yelled as he watched the replay of his sixth and final attempt in the men's long jump final, the one he claimed was mis-marked by more than half a foot, costing him a berth on the U.S. Olympic team.
Howard turned to a nearby group of reporters, flailed his arms above his head and began railing again.
"If I don't make the Olympic team, I have to go to medical school on Aug. 28," he said, pacing back and forth, fuming. "If I make the team, they'll defer me for two years. I guess they want me to go to medical school."
Howard finished fourth in the final when his sixth jump was marked at 26 feet 3 3/4 inches. Howard claimed he actually jumped 26-10, which would have been good enough for second place and an automatic berth to Sydney, Australia.
According to meet officials, there had been some question over whether Howard's shorts hit the sand. Howard argued that before the issue could be resolved, his footmarks had been already raked from the pit, all evidence erased.
"I've been in track and field for 20 years, and nobody is going to rush in and rake it up like that," Howard said. "What's the rush?"
Howard also raged, somewhat irrationally, against the long jump judge, Ken Gibson.
"The guy is 52 years old. How is he going to see it right?" Howard asked. "If they want to advance the sport, they've got to do something."
Howard began pacing again and flailing again, cursing a fate he considered irreversible
"Unless they go wake up Primo from the dead, I'm done," he said, referring to the late president of international track and field, Primo Nebiolo. "Sayonara. Checked out. Peace. I'm out.
"I don't have any rights. There are no amendments out here. Case closed."
Someone then informed Howard that he had the right to protest.
"I already did!" he cried.
In writing, he was told. Within 30 minutes of the completion of his event.
"Give me a pen, then!" Howard replied. "And some paper! Where's the fax machine?"
In the end, Howard never filed the protest, believing the court of trackside opinion was already sufficiently against him.
