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Old 03-27-2004, 01:03 PM   #1
Yorick
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....by disqualifying IAN THORPE in a trial HEAT!!! He's unbeaten in the 400m, and is the world record holder, but won't be able to defend his crown at the olympic games because he fell in the pool when the starter left them too long on the blocks.

What the heck?? Are the Australians insane? Can we not get an exception for the best swimmer we have? Who's running the show? What is the mood in Australia about this? I just read about it.
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Old 03-27-2004, 02:40 PM   #2
johnny
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You mean he's NOT going to Athens now ? [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Well, i guess there's noone standing in Pieter's way to get some more gold medals now.
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Old 03-27-2004, 03:00 PM   #3
philip
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Just saw it on TV. Really stupid of you ask me.
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Old 03-27-2004, 04:07 PM   #4
Rikard_OHF
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and funny.. dont forget funny...

on one hand its a rediculous decision and australia just gave away one sure medal
on the other hand rules are rules...
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Old 03-27-2004, 05:01 PM   #5
Davros
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I liken it to the Sydney games where Maurice Green and Micheal Johnston were the favourites in the US trials for the 200m and both failed to qualify because they broke down. At the games they won the 100m and 400m respectively, but because of their sporting federations rules neither was allowed to race in the 200m.

This is sad for the Thorpedo - knowing that the guy that has his spot (ie the 2nd ussie swimmer)is 8 seconds worse than him. The good news is that Grant Hackett set a personal best (even though it is 3 secs slower than Thorpey) and is now the fastest eligible swimmer in the event.

Johnny - no - it doesn't mean that Thorpey won't be at Athens, and it doesn't mean more medals for Pieter - last I looked he didn't have the 400m in his program. In fact he will be able to focus more on the shorter distances where he does go up aginst your man,

If Hackett goes out and wins the event in Athens then we will have done the "right thing" and still got the gold. If he misses out to a swimmer that Thorpey would have eaten up that is going to be frustrating. I hope they find a way for Ian to compete in the 400m, but then is that fair to Grant Hackett - would he be happy to swap a probable personal gold for a personal silver for the good of the team?

[ 03-27-2004, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Davros ]
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Old 03-27-2004, 05:02 PM   #6
Aelia Jusa
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Quote:
Originally posted by johnny:
You mean he's NOT going to Athens now ? [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Well, i guess there's noone standing in Pieter's way to get some more gold medals now.
He can still qualify for the other events he's contesting - the 100, 200, 200IM I think, and the relays. So unless Pieter's moved to the 400 he's still in trouble

It is really sad, and I can't imagine how disappointed Ian's feeling. I've never been a huge Ian fan but I really really empathise with how he's feeling right now. Not just disappointed but totally embarrassed as well I guess. In the first instance, it does seem silly that there are no room for exceptions for world record holders, world champions etc, for freak occurances like this. On the other hand, how can we decide who gets special consideration and who doesn't? What if for instance, Matt Welsh broke in the 100 backstroke heats (he's done it before) - he's our best but he's not world record holder - should he get an exception too? What about if you just have an off night? I think it's also important to consider Craig Stevens who has qualified in the absence of Ian Thorpe - he did it fair and square and in a reasonable time - now his credentials will be questioned and his place on the team sullied by this. All swimmers know the rules - one chance and that's it. It's tough, unlike athletics where they have multiple opportunities to achieve the A qualifying time, but they know what to expect and to say, oh well we'll just give this person another shot, does seem unfair at least in some respects. The rule of one false start and you're out is a long and accepted one as well. I think there would be some disquiet if we were to give Ian another shot just as there is now we haven't. It's a tough situation.

Also, AFAIK he didn't have trouble because the starter held them too long; having seen the incident he'd just called them to get on their mark when Ian slipped, and I've heard no suggestion otherwise. Just an unfortunate slipup by Ian.
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Old 03-27-2004, 05:04 PM   #7
Aelia Jusa
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Quote:
Originally posted by Davros:

The good news is that Grant Hackett set a personal best (even though it is 3 secs slower than Thorpey) and is now the fastest eligible swimmer in the event.

No he didn't... not in the final anyway (dunno about the heat). It was about .8 off it IIRC
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Old 03-27-2004, 05:21 PM   #8
Davros
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Whoops - I have have been caught out here [img]smile.gif[/img] - apologies from one sports enthusiast to another [img]smile.gif[/img] . I saw what he swam and I was going off memory - for some reason I thought Grant was a 3:44 swimmer at best.

Oh well - the Brissie Lions won last night - that improved my weekend
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Old 03-28-2004, 06:45 PM   #9
wellard
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Quote:
Originally posted by Davros:


Oh well - the Brissie Lions won last night - that improved my weekend
GRRRRRR

The law that they upheld this stupid decision on states that, "if a swimmer makes a false start he shall be disqualified." Thorpe did not jump early before the gun; he did not try to make advantage he just (embarrassingly) fell in the pool while taking his mark! He did not even extend his arms so it was obvious that he did not make a false start! What a dumbass interpretation of an otherwise good rule.

And the point made about this event being the only qualifying event is a good one. What happens if someone had the flue during the event and could not complete? 4 years of training down the tube! More dumbass thinking. Qualifying should be based upon the best times achieved in races through the current year IMO
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Old 03-29-2004, 06:19 AM   #10
Donut
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Ihave just two points.

1) With feet that big how could he fall over?

2) With feet that big it was obvious that if he were to get shot it would be in the foot!

[img]smile.gif[/img]
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