Goodwill Games - competition or comedy?

Memnoch · 09-02-2001, 09:29 AM

You guys decide after reading this. I'm genuinely interested in people's opinions here!

BRISBANE, Sept (Reuters) - The Goodwill Games descended into more farce when a swimmer climbed out of the pool halfway through a race and another fell in the water when his starting block broke.

Brazilian Fernando Scherer was promptly disqualified when he decided to quit halfway through his 100 metres freestyle race, nonchalantly climbing out of the pool after completing just one of his two laps.

Shortly after, South African medley swimmer Terence Parkin made a premature splash in the water when the starting block he was standing on broke.

The swimming events have become the laughing stock of the Goodwill Games after some of the competitors admitted they were not even trying in their races.

The European team had to coax one of their team managers into representing them because they didn't have enough swimmers and some of the top names have not even swum their favourite events.

Sydney teenager Ian Thorpe, world record holder for 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, swam the backstroke leg in the Australian medley relay.

The Australians have been treating the meet seriously and are favourites to win both the men's and women's team golds but are unhappy at the way some of the other teams have treated it.

Australian head coach Doug Frost said: "I was a little bit disappointed with a couple of the swimmers' attitude, particularly the 100m freestyle boy getting out at the 50.

"We've got to make sure that we give the sporting public of Brisbane every opportunity to see our best athletes and the best performance possible."

The comical nature of the swimming events was best illustrated by the men's 200m medley event.

Parkin fell into the water just a fraction of a second before the starter's gun was fired but the other swimmers continued on, unaware of what happened.

There were roars of laughter from the crowd as officials vainly tried to stop the race, first by waving at the competitors then by lowering a rope into the water.

They eventually succeeded before deciding to give the tired swimmers a 15 minute break before re-running the race.

Australia finished the round-robin stage of the competition unbeaten and will swim off against the World All Stars in Monday's gold medal match. The U.S. and Europe will meet for the bronze.

Australians also won 10 of the 18 individual medals for setting the best times over the course of the meet. Michael Klim and Grant Hackett collected two each, as did Poland's Bartosz Kizierowski and Thomas Wilkens of the United States.

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Sazerac · 09-02-2001, 12:40 PM

It is a travesty that those who are competing for these games are not even taking it seriously. It would seem that it is spoiling it for those who do take it seriously and are honestly trying.

I'd say disqualify those who are "cutting up" and let those who are honestly putting forth a best effort finish and receive their awards. The officials made the right call on the Brazilian.

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Aelia Jusa · 09-02-2001, 05:27 PM

All true, except it wasn't the swimmer's fault his block broke. Perhaps he was trying too hard!

09-02-2001, 10:03 PM

but atleast he didnt break anything else but the block!

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All your base are belong to us! How Are you gentlemen?

Fish?
***********************
Welcome to your doom!!!
***********************
Official villain/demon of IW!

Lifetime · 09-02-2001, 11:04 PM

LOL!
I can just imagine the guy tumbling head over heels into the water when the board he's applying all the leverage onto snaps

But why did the fellow climb out of the water? I missed that one unfortunately

And the Games seem to have a much lower quality than say..the SEA Games or something..not even counting the Olympics.

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Resident Lurker Guy

Yorick · 09-03-2001, 11:31 AM

To the Australian sporting public, giving up and not "having a go" is the worst possible thing a sportsman can do. An honest struggle - some "fight" in the competitor(s) concerned - is applauded, even in the face of defeat. We'll salute a valiant loser any day.

The brazilians actions are a joke. Inexcusable. The block breaking scenario was just unfortunate.

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I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....

A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!

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09-02-2001, 09:29 AM	#1
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	You guys decide after reading this. I'm genuinely interested in people's opinions here! BRISBANE, Sept (Reuters) - The Goodwill Games descended into more farce when a swimmer climbed out of the pool halfway through a race and another fell in the water when his starting block broke. Brazilian Fernando Scherer was promptly disqualified when he decided to quit halfway through his 100 metres freestyle race, nonchalantly climbing out of the pool after completing just one of his two laps. Shortly after, South African medley swimmer Terence Parkin made a premature splash in the water when the starting block he was standing on broke. The swimming events have become the laughing stock of the Goodwill Games after some of the competitors admitted they were not even trying in their races. The European team had to coax one of their team managers into representing them because they didn't have enough swimmers and some of the top names have not even swum their favourite events. Sydney teenager Ian Thorpe, world record holder for 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, swam the backstroke leg in the Australian medley relay. The Australians have been treating the meet seriously and are favourites to win both the men's and women's team golds but are unhappy at the way some of the other teams have treated it. Australian head coach Doug Frost said: "I was a little bit disappointed with a couple of the swimmers' attitude, particularly the 100m freestyle boy getting out at the 50. "We've got to make sure that we give the sporting public of Brisbane every opportunity to see our best athletes and the best performance possible." The comical nature of the swimming events was best illustrated by the men's 200m medley event. Parkin fell into the water just a fraction of a second before the starter's gun was fired but the other swimmers continued on, unaware of what happened. There were roars of laughter from the crowd as officials vainly tried to stop the race, first by waving at the competitors then by lowering a rope into the water. They eventually succeeded before deciding to give the tired swimmers a 15 minute break before re-running the race. Australia finished the round-robin stage of the competition unbeaten and will swim off against the World All Stars in Monday's gold medal match. The U.S. and Europe will meet for the bronze. Australians also won 10 of the 18 individual medals for setting the best times over the course of the meet. Michael Klim and Grant Hackett collected two each, as did Poland's Bartosz Kizierowski and Thomas Wilkens of the United States. ------------------

09-02-2001, 12:40 PM	#2
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	It is a travesty that those who are competing for these games are not even taking it seriously. It would seem that it is spoiling it for those who do take it seriously and are honestly trying. I'd say disqualify those who are "cutting up" and let those who are honestly putting forth a best effort finish and receive their awards. The officials made the right call on the Brazilian. ------------------

09-02-2001, 05:27 PM	#3
Aelia Jusa Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 23, 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,867	All true, except it wasn't the swimmer's fault his block broke. Perhaps he was trying too hard!

09-02-2001, 10:03 PM	#4
Gwhanos, Lord Of Evil Guest Posts: n/a	but atleast he didnt break anything else but the block! ------------------ All your base are belong to us! How Are you gentlemen? Fish? ********************* Welcome to your doom!!! ********************* Official villain/demon of IW!

09-02-2001, 11:04 PM	#5
Lifetime Red Dragon Join Date: March 3, 2001 Location: Scotch College, Melbourne Posts: 1,503	LOL! I can just imagine the guy tumbling head over heels into the water when the board he's applying all the leverage onto snaps But why did the fellow climb out of the water? I missed that one unfortunately And the Games seem to have a much lower quality than say..the SEA Games or something..not even counting the Olympics. ------------------ Resident Lurker Guy

09-03-2001, 11:31 AM	#6
Yorick Very Mad Bird Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Breukelen (over the river from New Amsterdam) Age: 52 Posts: 9,246	To the Australian sporting public, giving up and not "having a go" is the worst possible thing a sportsman can do. An honest struggle - some "fight" in the competitor(s) concerned - is applauded, even in the face of defeat. We'll salute a valiant loser any day. The brazilians actions are a joke. Inexcusable. The block breaking scenario was just unfortunate. ------------------ I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on.... A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!

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