British Olympic Association changes ruling: Black paper ‘The Voice’ can cover 2012 Olympics

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Two members of security staff stand by a checkpoint to asses vehicle passes on the outskirts of the Olympic Park site on July 18, 2012 in Stratford, London, England. A failure by the security firm G4S to provide their contracted number of security staff to guard Olympic venues has resulted in 3500 extra troops and additional police officers being deployed to meet the shortfall. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Two members of security staff stand by a checkpoint to asses vehicle passes on the outskirts of the Olympic Park site on July 18, 2012 in Stratford, London, England. A failure by the security firm G4S to provide their contracted number of security staff to guard Olympic venues has resulted in 3500 extra troops and additional police officers being deployed to meet the shortfall. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The British Olympic Association has reversed its decision not to give The Voice newspaper accreditation to Olympic stadium.

In a statement the British Olympics Association (BOA) said: “We are pleased to confirm that the IOC have awarded an accreditation to the BOA, which will be allocated to The Voice.” This will give The Voice, Britain’s longest severing and biggest black newspaper, the ability to cover track and field at the stadium.

The BOA made a U-turn on Wednesday following a grass roots campaign, which included nearly 3,000 people signing an online petition.  Social networking sites were also abuzz with comments on the issue, with most expressing dismay over the BOA’s initial decision to deny The Voice access to the stadium.

Among those who supported the newspaper were Labor Members of Parliament, David Lammy and Tessa Jowell, Jamaica’s high commissioner Aloun Assamba, and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The Voice‘s sports editor Rodney Hinds told theGrio: “It shows that people power does work and I am humbled by this experience. Without the public focusing on this challenge we would not have got accreditation.”

“While it’s a pity it had to get this far, I give credit to the BOA and IOC for now agreeing to let us cover the games.  We look forward to delivering coverage on the Games, including events such as Usain Bolt competing in the 100 meters.”

“It shows the role The Voice has played over the last 30 years and it’s a vote that people understood our argument.” Hinds says he will now spend Wednesday thanking people who have supported the paper’s petition to cover the Olympics.

Follow Kunbi Tinuoye on Twitter at @Kunbiti