U.S. Olympic Committee names Keith Sieracki as 76kg Greco-Roman Wrestling entry in Sydney

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Mike Moran (U.S. Olympic Committee)
08/27/2000


U.S. Olympic Committee release    COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - The United States Olympic Committee has chosen Olympic Trials winner Keith Sieracki as America's entry in the 76kg (167.5 lbs.) division for the Greco-Roman Wrestling competition at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.    The USOC decision settles a dispute involving Trials winner Sieracki and his opponent, Matt Lindland of Lincoln, Neb., who defeated Sieracki in an arbitration-mandated rematch on August 14. Sieracki defeated Lindland at the Trials.    Since that rematch, there have been a series of events that include a second arbitration restoring Sieracki's status as the U.S. Olympic Team entry, and two court decisions that took separate views. Last Thursday, a federal appeals court ruled that Lindland should get the berth but called on the USOC to make a responsible decision in the matter.    Sieracki's name has been submitted by the USOC to the Sydney Olympic Organizing Committee as the U.S. Olympic Team's official entry in the Greco-Roman 76kg weight classification.    Sieracki is a United States Army MP, stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He won the Olympic Trials in Dallas and has been ranked as the top-rated wrestler for 2000-2001 by USA Wrestling's Team USA.    He is originally from Richland Center, Wis.    Following Sieracki's win over Lindland at the Olympic Trials, Lindland appealed the referee's decision, ultimately asking for arbitration. The first arbitration ordered a rematch, won by Lindland, 8-0, on August 14. A second arbitration, requested by Sieracki, ordered him reinstated. The two court rulings followed late last week.    The USOC decision was based primarily on the ruling of the second arbitration, which included the presence of all parties connected to the issue.