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.
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I agree with SwampThing--it's hypocritical to take such a hard line stance with Thorpe, citing the Olympic ideal, when in fact we have strayed pretty far from that ideal (professional athletes, corporate sponsorship, etc.). I think you have to look at his "transgression" (falling off the block before the start of the race) and put it into context. Australia is allowed to choose their athletes like any othe country.
I agree with SwampThing--it's hypocritical to take such a hard line stance with Thorpe, citing the Olympic ideal, when in fact we have strayed pretty far from that ideal (professional athletes, corporate sponsorship, etc.). I think you have to look at his "transgression" (falling off the block before the start of the race) and put it into context. Australia is allowed to choose their athletes like any othe country.
