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.
If the Aussies want to choose their team, let them. The Olympics are about (or should be) the best in the world.
Choosing the team now is much better than our trials in July, one month before the Games. I don't understand that thinking. Swimmers will have to taper for the trials to make the team and then turn around and begin a taper for the Games. What sense does that make? Can someone make the case for our trials being when they are? I would like to hear a rationale.
Maybe they should hold the Games without national designation. Just the best athletes in the world! No medal count. Wishful thinking.
Glenn
If the Aussies want to choose their team, let them. The Olympics are about (or should be) the best in the world.
Choosing the team now is much better than our trials in July, one month before the Games. I don't understand that thinking. Swimmers will have to taper for the trials to make the team and then turn around and begin a taper for the Games. What sense does that make? Can someone make the case for our trials being when they are? I would like to hear a rationale.
Maybe they should hold the Games without national designation. Just the best athletes in the world! No medal count. Wishful thinking.
Glenn
