An Appeals Board

AN APPEALS BOARD rarely overturns a judge in a swim meet. In 2001, the Australian and United States 800-meter relay teams learned that fact.

At the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, the Australian quartet, comprised of Elka Graham, Linda Mackenzie, Petria Thomas, and Giaan Rooney, edged out their American counterparts for first place. Encouraged by photographers and fans behind the Australian bench, the young women jumped in the pool to celebrate.

But the four failed to notice the final swimmer for the last place team hadn’t completed the race. Since Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) rule SW 10.11 prohibits participants from reentering the pool until all competitors have finished, judge Andriy Vlaskov disqualified the Australians. His ruling appeared to hand the gold to the Americans.

But the United States squad also suffered a disqualification. Based on touch-pad recordings, officials ruled that Julie Hardt started before teammate Cristina Teuscher touched the wall. However, the Americans claimed the equipment malfunctioned, and other teams had been allowed more leeway to compensate.

Both teams appealed, but a FINA jury upheld the decisions the following day. As a result, Great Britain’s team of Nicola Jackson, Janine Belton, Karen Legg, and Karen Pickering captured the gold medal. Germany and Japan claimed the silver and the bronze.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT What a strange race! Did the Australian swimmers know the rule about celebrating in the pool before the race concluded? Probably. But in the magical moment, the women listened to the crowd and their emotions. Did the touch pad malfunction? Probably. But in the excitement, Hardt left a hair too soon. Did Great Britain earn the gold? Some argued that their medals should have been bronze.

Sometimes, but not often, officials hear appeals from athletes’ ambassadors and change their ruling. In the Bible, the roles are reversed. God, the official judge of the universe, sends his ambassadors. He wants us, as his representatives, to encourage individuals to be reconciled to him. The Lord offers relief from indifference, resentment, selfishness, and guilt. We can help people make good judgments for God.

GOAL! Think of what it means to represent Christ—to be his ambassador in a world that’s sometimes hostile to his teachings. Ask God to help you stay close to him as you speak to others for his sake.