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.
mattson:
I have tried to maintain my logic throughout this lively discussion. That, by itself, should separate me from Ion.
My point continues to be rather simple. Australia is given the authority to choose their representatives and have established their own guidelines for doing it. There is nothing in they have violated. Now, many think this is unfair, unpure and opens the gates of swimming hell for the future.
It's also none of our business, really. Who appointed us for this role? I believe the Australians can do what they want and if there is some infraction, I guess the IOC has their own standards board (probably driven by who gives them the most money or trinkets).
mattson:
I have tried to maintain my logic throughout this lively discussion. That, by itself, should separate me from Ion.
My point continues to be rather simple. Australia is given the authority to choose their representatives and have established their own guidelines for doing it. There is nothing in they have violated. Now, many think this is unfair, unpure and opens the gates of swimming hell for the future.
It's also none of our business, really. Who appointed us for this role? I believe the Australians can do what they want and if there is some infraction, I guess the IOC has their own standards board (probably driven by who gives them the most money or trinkets).
