WASHINGTON — On Monday, April 17, U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) will present Derek Miles, an associate track and field coach at the University of South Dakota (USD), with an Olympic bronze medal for his third-place finish in the men’s pole vault competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Miles, who originally placed fourth at the Beijing Games, was later declared the bronze medal winner after the Ukrainian who originally placed third was disqualified for using performance-enhancing substances banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“It’s an unbelievable honor to play a small part in helping Derek receive the overdue recognition he deserves,” said Thune. “While nothing can replace standing on the podium in Beijing, I think Derek would agree that getting to share this moment with friends, family, and the students at USD will be a memory not soon forgotten.”

After learning about Miles’ story earlier this year, Thune wrote to the president of the IOC to encourage the organization to expedite the process of returning the medal to Miles, its rightful owner. Following Thune’s request, the process, which often takes years to complete, was quickly resolved, and the IOC located a medal that could be awarded to Miles.    

Thune serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Olympic Committee and other athletic organizations.

Event Details:

WHAT:	Olympic Medal Presentation
WHEN:	Monday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. CDT
WHERE:	Sanford Coyote Sports Center University of South Dakota Vermillion, S.D.