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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Originally posted by aquageek
The right thing, what are you talking about? Australia may not be breaking any rules and, by their own standards, maybe they are doing the right thing.
I think the American definition of this elusive "right thing" is what gets us so much unpopular press worldwide. Just relax and let the Australians do what they want. Then, if/when Thorpe wins you have a built in excuses you can whine about (aka ThorpeMax).
People get all crazy for a pure sport thing. There are no pure sports anymore. Well, maybe amateur wresting is still pure because if there was any money in that sport, the outfits wouldn't be so awful.
The orginal post "wondered what the US (-reference added for clarity)would do if someone was DQ'd." It's cery clear--let it stand. I guarantee if Phelps was dq'd in our Trials US Swimming wouldn't let him compete in that event nor should they.
I also don't see what is "elusive" under these circumstances. Yes, the Australians can do whatever they want under the current rules as long as they don't exceed 2 swimmers per individual event and they both meet the qualifying time. Still the "right thing" is very clear and it is now Thorpe's decision not the Australia Swimming since they have obviously decided otherwise.
Should Thorpe swim? I say he should follow the example of Farrell and refuse and send a message that there is a "right way to do things" If he doesn't and swims the 400 free then I hope he breaks the world record. He'll further his tremendous record as a swimming champion but his stature in my eyes will be diminished by his inability to make a very tough decision under difficult circumstances.
Let's see what he does.
Originally posted by aquageek
The right thing, what are you talking about? Australia may not be breaking any rules and, by their own standards, maybe they are doing the right thing.
I think the American definition of this elusive "right thing" is what gets us so much unpopular press worldwide. Just relax and let the Australians do what they want. Then, if/when Thorpe wins you have a built in excuses you can whine about (aka ThorpeMax).
People get all crazy for a pure sport thing. There are no pure sports anymore. Well, maybe amateur wresting is still pure because if there was any money in that sport, the outfits wouldn't be so awful.
The orginal post "wondered what the US (-reference added for clarity)would do if someone was DQ'd." It's cery clear--let it stand. I guarantee if Phelps was dq'd in our Trials US Swimming wouldn't let him compete in that event nor should they.
I also don't see what is "elusive" under these circumstances. Yes, the Australians can do whatever they want under the current rules as long as they don't exceed 2 swimmers per individual event and they both meet the qualifying time. Still the "right thing" is very clear and it is now Thorpe's decision not the Australia Swimming since they have obviously decided otherwise.
Should Thorpe swim? I say he should follow the example of Farrell and refuse and send a message that there is a "right way to do things" If he doesn't and swims the 400 free then I hope he breaks the world record. He'll further his tremendous record as a swimming champion but his stature in my eyes will be diminished by his inability to make a very tough decision under difficult circumstances.
Let's see what he does.
