24 SEPTEMBER 2002
For the first time in the 52-year history of the Miss Universe contest, the reigning holder of the title has been asked to stand down and is being replaced with her runner-up.

The current Miss Universe, Oxana Fedorova, was crowned in May in front of a worldwide TV audience of approximately 600 million people. The win caused scenes of euphoria in Russia, because the 24-year-old law student and police officer was the first Russian woman to win the title.

The Miss Universe organisation has now confirmed, however, that Oxana is to be replaced with Justine Pasek of Panama, after apparently failing to stick to the gruelling schedule of engagements assigned to the Miss Universe holder. “She was fired for not fulfilling her duties,” said one source.

Some reports suggested that Oxana might have flouted pageant regulations by secretly marrying her boyfriend, or that she might even be pregnant.

In the Russian press, however, outstanding law student Oxana explains that it's much simpler: she has decided that she would rather complete her studies and continue her job as part of the St Petersburg police force than honour her Miss Universe obligations.

Tycoon Donald Trump, who part-owns the pageant, said; “It’s too bad it didn’t work out better with Oxana, but our new Miss Universe is just as beautiful and she is a tremendous crowd pleaser.”