OzAurora
Refugee
So what do you all rekon about this?????
for those of you not aware, this is the story,
AUSTRALIAN sports fans are still reeling from that moment of horror on Saturday when Olympic 400m champion and world record holder Ian Thorpe toppled off the block and was disqualified.
Everyone feels for Thorpe. Disqualification should not have been a factor in defence of his crown.
With his hope of defending that title seemingly dashed, it is understandable the one-start rule in swimming should once again be questioned.
But rules are rules and this particular one has caught many swimmers out, including 10-year-olds who are not shown any mercy either.
The best thing that could happen now would be for everyone to accept what occurred and just move on.
Sadly, some elements - former swimmers, politicians and particularly in the media - are applying pressure on Craig Stevens, the swimmer who has earned second spot in the 400m behind Grant Hackett, to step down.
They are airing scenarios under which Stevens might be bypassed to give Thorpe a shot at the 400m in Athens.
This is unfair. Stevens swam the race of his life on Saturday night to beat the tough Olympic qualifying time.
He will probably do the same in the 1500m later this week. He has won the right to represent his country - a fact acknowledged by his colleagues, including Thorpe.
Let him get on with it, without him feeling he is somehow responsible for denying his mate a place on the starting block.
I personally think that it is very un-fair for Thorpe and a hard situation for Stevens to be in. If I was Stevens I would probably be giving up my position, whilst he did come second in his race fair and square, this only came by way of a silly accident on Thorpe's part, clearly if Thorpe had not heard what he thought was some sort of extra noise in the crowd, then he would not of faulted and would definately be the one of two in the event to represent Austraia and Stevens would probaby of been placed third. I feel for the other swimmers in this event, who if by some chance event, do not have Thorpe in the race at Athens, will be competing against a lesser side, not having the current record holder and previous olympic champion in the event will not make for a very competitive race.
But then again rules are rules and Thorpe did break a rule, although personally I think that it is sad to see an elite athlete disqualified from his pet event by way of a false start, when so many other athletes do not compete as a result of injury or being found for doping, to have an athlete at the prime of fitness not racing just seems a waste.............
and he is the 'Thorpedo", what to do, what to do????????
for those of you not aware, this is the story,
AUSTRALIAN sports fans are still reeling from that moment of horror on Saturday when Olympic 400m champion and world record holder Ian Thorpe toppled off the block and was disqualified.
Everyone feels for Thorpe. Disqualification should not have been a factor in defence of his crown.
With his hope of defending that title seemingly dashed, it is understandable the one-start rule in swimming should once again be questioned.
But rules are rules and this particular one has caught many swimmers out, including 10-year-olds who are not shown any mercy either.
The best thing that could happen now would be for everyone to accept what occurred and just move on.
Sadly, some elements - former swimmers, politicians and particularly in the media - are applying pressure on Craig Stevens, the swimmer who has earned second spot in the 400m behind Grant Hackett, to step down.
They are airing scenarios under which Stevens might be bypassed to give Thorpe a shot at the 400m in Athens.
This is unfair. Stevens swam the race of his life on Saturday night to beat the tough Olympic qualifying time.
He will probably do the same in the 1500m later this week. He has won the right to represent his country - a fact acknowledged by his colleagues, including Thorpe.
Let him get on with it, without him feeling he is somehow responsible for denying his mate a place on the starting block.
I personally think that it is very un-fair for Thorpe and a hard situation for Stevens to be in. If I was Stevens I would probably be giving up my position, whilst he did come second in his race fair and square, this only came by way of a silly accident on Thorpe's part, clearly if Thorpe had not heard what he thought was some sort of extra noise in the crowd, then he would not of faulted and would definately be the one of two in the event to represent Austraia and Stevens would probaby of been placed third. I feel for the other swimmers in this event, who if by some chance event, do not have Thorpe in the race at Athens, will be competing against a lesser side, not having the current record holder and previous olympic champion in the event will not make for a very competitive race.
But then again rules are rules and Thorpe did break a rule, although personally I think that it is sad to see an elite athlete disqualified from his pet event by way of a false start, when so many other athletes do not compete as a result of injury or being found for doping, to have an athlete at the prime of fitness not racing just seems a waste.............
and he is the 'Thorpedo", what to do, what to do????????