Robbed By Russian Olympian, Marathon Icon Emily Sisson Demands Justice For US Track Star After 12 Years

The athletic realm of track and field is not only dominated by skill and prowess but also by integrity. It was at the 2012 London Olympics when an American track star finished in the fifth position for the 800-meter category. The six-time US Outdoor Track and Field Champion missed out on a podium in the whirlwind of the 2012 Olympics. But the story doesn’t end there.

Her dreams were overshadowed by suspicions of doping among her competitors. Now, over a decade later, it seems the wind has been changing its direction. The specter of doping has been casting its shadow over her for 12 long years. But, she might be finally rewriting the history and be granted the redemption she deserves. And amid this, American long-distance runner Emily Sisson who has recently qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 tries to hold the flag for justice for the Olympic bronze medalist.

Alysia Montano’s quest for fair play and victory is supported by Emily Sisson

Alysia Montano was just 18 when she stepped into the world of track and field. After winning the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship for three consecutive years, it was in 2012 when she came close to a personal best and won the Prefontaine Classic. She represented the US in the 2012 London Olympics in the same year. The year, which was about to bring international glory to her, took a sudden turn and she ended in the fifth position. 

However, Russian athlete Mariya Savinova got disqualified because of alleged doping, and this elevated Alysia Montano to the fourth position. But, Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev who later was subjected to a lifetime ban because of doping, was not disqualified back in 2012. Thus, Alysia Montano, coming so close to a podium place, did not bag the bronze.

In a recent Instagram post, Montano shared her disappointment and anguish with fans and sharing the same in the Instagram story, Emily Sisson wrote, “Montano missed three podium moments due to doping. The latest was an Olympic Bronze 12 years later. Despite this, she made our sport bigger and brighter all while racing with integrity…” Sisson stood beside Montano, demanding justice for her. Alysia Montano’s unfortunate luck did not only play its role in 2012, but in 2013 too, she faced a similar outcome. 

Alysia Montano to rise as a phoenix to claim her Olympic glory 

In the 2013 World Championships, Montano finished in the fourth position following Mariya Savinova from Russia in the third. However, Alysia Montano got the bronze later after Savinova was banned for alleged doping. In 2016 too, Alysia Montano failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. And her dream of Olympic redemption failed. After a visible collision with American runner Brenda Martinez, Montano fell and ended in the last position.

However, after 12 long years, Montano will finally have her moment in the sun. Because of the lifelong ban imposed upon 33-year-old Russian athlete Ekaterina Poistogova-Guliyev might be losing her Olympic silver. And in turn, this might result in the fulfillment of the lifelong Olympic dream of the 37-year-old Alysia Montano.

Read More: Russia’s Foreign Ministry Gives Scathing Response Towards Olympic Leadership, Accusing Them of Discrediting the Olympic Movement