Sue Wins Lawsuit

Mountain biker bounced from '04 Olympics wins suit

Friday, November 7, 2008; 11:31 AM

WHEELING, W.Va. -- A federal jury has awarded mountain biker Susan Haywood nearly $319,000 in a lawsuit over her removal from the U.S. Olympic team in 2004.

The West Virginian was replaced by Mary McConneloug for the Athens games after an arbitrator overturned USA Cycling's decision to add 15 points to Haywood's total in international rankings.

The arbiter said the award of the additional points wasn't justified.

The Davis resident sued USA Cycling in 2005. A federal jury in Wheeling decided Thursday that Haywood was entitled to the money as compensation for reasons including expenses, inconvenience, mental anguish and anger.

A spokesman for Colorado-based USA Cycling didn't immediately return a message Friday seeking comment.