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 just saw this story and thought it was interesting. It's a little old (March 29th):
www.abc.net.au/.../s1076267.htm
Here's an excerpt worthy of note:
Australian swimming legend Kieren Perkins has also jumped to Stevens's defence, saying he is disgusted by suggestions the swimmer should step aside.
"It's disgusting what's happening - I can't believe people are calling for him to possibly give up his position or consider letting Ian swim," Perkins said.
"I cannot for the life of me understand why anybody would be calling for him to be giving up his Olympic dream just because another individual stuffed up."
Perkins was involved in a similar situation in the lead-up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when a form slump saw him finish third in the 400m in the selection trials.
Like Thorpe, Perkins was the world record holder in the event at the time.
Enormous pressure was placed on second-placed Malcolm Allen to stand aside but at Perkins's urging he refused to budge.
Today Perkins said Stevens deserved his place on the team in Athens.
"While it's an absolute tragedy for Ian that he has missed out, the reality of life is he made a mistake and he's got to wear the consequences," he said.
"There's absolutely no way on this earth that Craig Stevens should have to pay for Ian Thorpe's mistakes."
Originally posted by kaelonj
I can see the new mastercard commercial now:
Swim Cap - $3.00
Goggles - $8.95
Hi-tech swim Suit - $250.00
Spot on the Australian Olympic swim team $75,000
Olympic Gold medal - Priceless
Some things can't be bought for everything else there's mastercard.
Could not have said it better myself!! Good one!:D
Originally posted by tjburk
Everyone keeps asking what rule was broken....I believe in any swim RULE book, the start is governed by a rule...correct? So when Ian DQ'd (Disqualified...see previous post about this), he in fact broke a rule and should be ineligible for further competition in the event he DQ'd in. In swimming, if you get DQ'd at sectionals you DO NOT get to advance...same process here!
I think you haven't been keeping up with this thread.
1. He was ineligible for further competition in the event he DQ'ed in. No one has ever argued to the contrary.
2. This is not US Sectionals, this is Olympic Trials, rules determined by home country.
3. The issue is one of next-ranked, that is the rule (see previous posts).
You guys really need to move on. His false start is irrelevant at this point. He's participating on his team by his country's rules.
So, as you can see, despite his false start, he will swim. He's not breaking any rules, not a single one.
Originally posted by gull80
So now the name calling starts, huh? That's really a low blow. Next you'll be calling me an early bloomer, slamming my times or telling me I live in a swamp.
My new theory is that your take on this topic is somehow related to your VO2 max! I'm not yet sure whether "early bloomer" versus "late bloomer" has any bearing, though.
And just what is the matter with living in a swamp?! I'm offended. Wahhhhhhhhhhh :( (
With three kids and now only 1 dog, instead of 3, my house is verging on swamp-like conditions!!! If I shake a bottle of VO2 max shampoo vigorously, and let it explode, will it clean my house???
Someone in another thread was asking about fogged up goggles and someone replied that baby shampoo worked... I suggested that they use VO2 max shampoo and they'd probably have x-ray vision. Could be fun!!
Originally posted by lefty
Regarding USA fascination with Rules: IN game one of the Pacers V. Celtics, Pacer Star Ron Artest got off the bench during an on the court fight. After taking four steps towards the fracas, he thought better of it and headed back to the bench. However, the NBA suspended him because their rule is: you get off the bench, you are suspended. How foolish.
I agree with you in this case. My arguement with the Thorpe thing is that it doesn't feel right to me. Never will. I teach my 11 year old son that if it doesn't feel like the right thing to do, you probably shouldn't do it.
Originally posted by aquageek
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).
Geek, you are right. Australia can do it however they want. I don't argue with that at all. However, it is one of those things that puts a bit of a black mark on their Olympic team - at least in my mind.
