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.
I have mixed emotions about allowing professional athletes to compete in the Olympics. Its great that we can send our best players and win a LOT but, I miss the days of it being totally amateur. I hope swimming will not become too professional. I know it is heading that way. As much as we all love to win, there is something that I love about the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship and doing a sport for the pure love of it...not to get $$$ and endorsement deals. Call me an old fashioned romantic. Just my opinion. I'm not saying that I don't think it is great when a swimmer can get endorsements, scholarships, etc... just want it to stay amateur in spirit....Unlike football, basketball, and baseball.
I have mixed emotions about allowing professional athletes to compete in the Olympics. Its great that we can send our best players and win a LOT but, I miss the days of it being totally amateur. I hope swimming will not become too professional. I know it is heading that way. As much as we all love to win, there is something that I love about the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship and doing a sport for the pure love of it...not to get $$$ and endorsement deals. Call me an old fashioned romantic. Just my opinion. I'm not saying that I don't think it is great when a swimmer can get endorsements, scholarships, etc... just want it to stay amateur in spirit....Unlike football, basketball, and baseball.
