At the end of the day if it had happened to ANY other swimmer than Thorpe then this wouldn't have been an issue. The fact remains that Thorpe is the best swimmer in the world, ever. No one has won the medals that he has, at his age, in so many events.

This was the best swimmer in the world not being able to swim his best event at the biggest sporting event in the world. Sometimes the rules need to be bent. If you can't see that then you are kidding yourself.

The 'what if's are irrelevant. He didn't swim a bad time he was disqualified for a rule that should be changed anyway. He didn't even get a chance to swim a bad time.

the rules being bent is fine.. but you know as well as i do, that if the US or another country tried the same thing, we'd all be commenting and muttering under our breath, (some not so under their breathes) about how shifty those f*$kn yanks are. etc etc...

yes...shouldnt the guy who came 3rd have been the next guy to step in?
Cos Thorpe didnt even get a PLace!!!

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Ciao baby.

Fuckin Sell OUT!!!! Why does a guy have to give up his spot
in the national team? He has earned the right to represent Aus
in the 400m fair and square. Thorp stuffed up. He had his chance and blew it. I actually feel a bit sorry for Craig. The amount of pressure put onto him from this sports hungry nation that we live in, was phenomenal.

Initially i thought yeah he is doing the right thing. Thorp is the best in the world, he will definately win gold, the benefit should goto the better good of the team. BUt when you think about it, seriously for a bit, the wrong thing has occured. Who says Craig Stevens couldn't have a got a placing in the 400m final, or even had won the event. Imagine his confidence now! Being forced into this bullshit decision doesn't sit right with me. Is it possible to put money on Craig Stevens being the named the next Australian of the Year, if it is, ill be betting!

slick_MF

can you imagine if stevens went to athens, did the 400m and didn't make the final? (his time was shocking)

his name would be synonymous with evil australia-wide! He would go down in australian sporting history.....as the bad guy. He's still got his own event.

As for taking the money, the guys is on a sponsorship of $250 a week. I think you'd take it if you could....

and jules, PLease stop this comPLetely annoying PL stuff. I'm PLeading you

quote:

Originally posted by 00soups00 but my question is - Why is Thorpe even allowed to swim in the event if he was disqualified from the event after false starting? why is Thorpe even illegable????

The rule is that the if the qualifier steps aside for any reason (injury, act of god, etc), then anyone else on the Olympic swimming team is allowed to take their place. Thorpe qualified for the Olympic team in other events and so is a valid second-choice. Not exactly in the spirit of the rules, but it's within them.

I reckon Merrick from Merrick & Rosso should be allowed to swim, he almost beat Thorpe in a race last year, and it'd be funny as hell

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a swimming race?

or VB drinking?


I admire merrick for his man boobs

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quote:

Originally posted by gumble a swimming race? or VB drinking? I admire merrick for his man boobs

Swimming race .. Thorpie won by about 2 lengths (though he swam 100m and Merrick swam 50m, and Merrick was in the bodyglove suit and Thorpie was in a tracksuit)

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