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.
Former Member
Originally posted by swimr4life
What were we talking about again?:confused:
Shampoo???:confused:
We all need to get together some time and debate this over beer and nachos (or pizza or some other equally yummy but unhealthy food)... On second thought, lets all get together for beer and food and discuss something else!
Geek, there's nothing to get over. It is done.
This is becoming an Ion-esque discussion that I'm almost done with (after this thread unless I'm directly addressed). Even Kierin Perkins himself said that Thorpe should not have that spot, based on their Trials. I believe his words were that Thorpe "stuffed up", aka messed up. Apparently the same type of situation happened in '96 to Perkins himself but he was reasonable enough to know that he did not rightfully earn the spot as stated in their Trials process.
Yes, Australia conveniently changed their rules, and again, this is nothing to get over, however this dialogue IS something to get over.
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.
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!
Originally posted by dorothyrd
What happens in 4 years when someone else does this, and maybe does not have the name and quality Thorpe has, and says "Well you did it for Thorpe, now do it for me". I think Australia may be setting themselves up for future problems. Of course, that is Australia's problem, not anyone elses.
Thorpe FALSE STARTED!
So, now we are taking the slippery slope position. Thorpe is a once-in-a-generation swimmer. I certainly doubt this spells the end of civilized sport in Australia.
I think everyone on this thread recognizes he false started so not sure what your point is by repeating it. The only point is that Australia is allowed to interpret and implement THEIR rules as THEY see fit.
If Stevens is on the team, will make money from this (talk about shady), Thorpe swims and the Australians have done absolutely nothing wrong, what do you do-gooders have left to claim, other than he false started?
This is no longer about sportmanship, it's about one-upmanship and your desire to win more medals. Greedy.
In the hope of not gaining a disparaging description for my own ramblings, I think I will let this go and have enjoyed the lively debate.
I wouldn't be adverse to a swampoid.
Also, I was not referring to the NY Yankees. The War of Northern Aggression is still well remembered down here. Maybe I should get over it, huh?
Originally posted by knelson
Are you a lawyer by any chance, gull? ;)
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.
