If I am reading this right, Swiminfo.com is reporting that Craig Stevens is indeed going to back out of the 400 and leave it up to Australia Swimming to "pick another member of the Olympic Team" to swim that race in Athens. If I am ANY other country, swimmer, the 3rd place finisher at the Trials or an organization interested in ethics, then I am raising a stink on this one!!!! Thorpe DQ'd and the Aussies are going to skirt the rule and get him in anyway. They would be relegated to the status of Ben Johnson, Rosie Ruiz, and the 60+% of MLB who are on steriods! This is FREAKIN' UNBELIEVABLE. I have no respect for any of the aforementioned and if this happens, none for Ian Thorpe and the Australian swim federation (or whatever official name they hide behind) are in that seeming, stinking pile.
Based on the current rules I think what is a happening with Ian is wrong - the other guy should go. I, however, have always thought that there should be some kind of wild card entries for athletes that have proved they have the potential to medal at the Olympics. The Olmypics should be where the best are going to be. Why should we not allow a current world record holder or #1 ranked swimmer to not compete because they were DQ, are sick at trials, or miss their taper slightly. I think the US and Aussie trials add excitement to achieving the goal of making the Olympics, but there are times when the best swimmer based on past performances isn't allowed to compete at the Olympics.
I say let them both swim. Give Ian a wild card entry.
Based on the current rules I think what is a happening with Ian is wrong - the other guy should go. I, however, have always thought that there should be some kind of wild card entries for athletes that have proved they have the potential to medal at the Olympics. The Olmypics should be where the best are going to be. Why should we not allow a current world record holder or #1 ranked swimmer to not compete because they were DQ, are sick at trials, or miss their taper slightly. I think the US and Aussie trials add excitement to achieving the goal of making the Olympics, but there are times when the best swimmer based on past performances isn't allowed to compete at the Olympics.
I say let them both swim. Give Ian a wild card entry.
