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Aborigine claims racism, threatens Olympic boycott

John Steffensen
John Steffensen

It turns out there is a potential Olympic boycott in the works this year.

No, it's not Iran because of the fear of Zion hidden in the London 2012 logo. Or Saudi Arabia because it's being forced to join the 20th century and send women to compete in athletics.

It's a single Aboriginal runner in Australia. John Steffensen is upset that he was denied a spot on the Australian individual 400-meter team in lieu of white teenager Steve Solomon, who also met the Olympics qualifying time.

[ Photos: Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius in action ]

He was selected to compete on the relay team, but is claiming racism and told the Associated Press that he is threatening not to show up in London.

"I don't think it helps the legitimacy of our sport or the selection criteria, and I think it only makes our sport look stupid," Steffensen told Australia's Channel 9 on Saturday.

"The rules and the goal posts are getting shifted. Now they're going to pick who they want to put in the team. I've put up with being racially vilified by this federation, being discriminated against on many teams... You know it would help if I was a different color. No, they can have athletics. I don't need to do this anymore."

Australian Olympics officials are trying to talk him off the ledge. Only time will tell if he actually gives up his spot to compete on one of sports' grandest stages.

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