Riders should focus on race

During a Tuesday practice race for the men's Little 500, 32 riders laid their bikes down on the track and walked off. The motionless bikes were a symbol of the unfairness many equate with the decision to let Team Major Taylor rider Joshua Weir participate in Saturday's race. Weir should have been disqualified. He attained Category I riding status -- a feat that excludes such seasoned riders from this intramural event. This information was not clear when he was granted riding privileges in a binding arbitration hearing. Once his Category I status was confirmed, another arbitration could have occurred with Team Major Taylor's consent. It was not granted. \nBy laying down their bikes, the riders made a fair statement: The rules were broken, and we believe they should be upheld. \nFair enough. \nThe demonstration was a valid and effective way to send a message to the IU Student Foundation, administration and other riders. It is a message that should be taken with great gravity as the IUSF renews a commitment to ensuring that lines of communication are open with US Cycling Federation, the organization that provides information about rider status. This might have been prevented if the correct information had been provided earlier. At this point, an error in the system is apparent, and the best way to move forward is accept the outcome and learn from the experience. The IUSF should strive to see that in the future, all rules are applied equally and fairly. \nThe message has been sent, and Saturday is another day. It is a day for all the riders who have worked hard. It is an opportunity to beat their own best times and gain a strong sense of team spirit, to perform their best. It is a day for campus unity and celebration of the accomplishments of hardworking IU athletes. The race should be clean, fair and focused. The race is on its 52nd year, is bigger than any individual or team, and will continue for many years to come. No matter what the outcome, let's show good sportsmanship and school spirit -- what Little 500 is all about. \nStaff vote: 5 - 3 - 1\nyes - no - abstain