Just days after announcing musher Eddie Burke Jr.’s disqualification from the 2024 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the event’s governing body said Friday that it decided to reinstate him.Monday, Burke was facing two assault charges stemming from a 2022 incident. Then on Thursday, the Alaska Department of Law attorney prosecuting the case
“While I have maintained my innocence throughout this process, I should have informed the race of the allegations against me sooner,” Burke wrote. “Mr. Burke stands with the Iditarod in its strong condemnation of violence and abuse against women, and joins in their commitment to taking action against violence,” Babb added. “However, he does not agree with the decision to ignore his right to the presumption of innocence, and to have circumvented the criminal justice system.”