| Australian swimming star Ian Thorpe disqualified from 400 freestyle heats
[url=http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20040327/ca_pr_on_sp/swim_thorpe_dq_4]http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20040327/ca_pr_on_sp/swim_thorpe_dq_4[/UR L]
"SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - World record-holder Ian Thorpe (news - web sites) lost a chance to defend his 400-meter freestyle title in the Athens Olympics after being disqualified in the Australian trials.
Thorpe fell off the starting blocks Saturday on the first day of the eight-day trials. He said he heard a noise, disrupting his concentration.
But Thorpe's appeal to Australian Swimming officials was later dismissed. Under Australia's strict qualification policy, only the two fastest swimmers in each race final qualify for the Olympics.
There was no immediate comment from the 21-year-old Thorpe on whether he might appeal the case to a higher jurisdiction.
Thorpe appeared to overbalance on the blocks and fell into the water before the official start of his heat. He then got out of the pool and returned to the blocks with the rest of the competitors.
But meet referee John Keppie walked over to Thorpe's No. 4 block and disqualified him, surprising the small crowd at the centre. Thorpe appeared stunned as he walked off the pool deck.
Thorpe's manager, David Flaskas, said the Olympic, world and Commonwealth champion heard a noise before he fell into the water.
"Ian thought they were held a bit too long and he heard a noise, the audiovisual does not show that noise, so evidence wise it is a bit difficult," Flaskas said.
Flaskas said Thorpe was trying to come to grips with his disqualification.
"He is obviously disappointed but I think it is important he gets refocused on the rest of the meet - he and (coach) Tracey Menzies are regrouping," Flaskas said. "He has not said a lot, he is disappointed and absorbing it all at the moment and we cannot dwell on it.
"This is day one and he has major swims over the next few days and that is where his head has to be at."
Thorpe's next major swim is Monday in the 200 freestyle, where he is also world-record holder. He also holds the world record in the 800, a non-Olympic event.
Thorpe has dominated world 400-meter freestyle swimming since becoming the youngest male world champion at the age of 15."
This is gonna be a joke without him. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]
But let's hope it's not gonna happen with the 200-meter.
[ 03-27-2004: Message edited galela ]
[ 03-27-2004: Message edited galela ] __________________ i don't want to be on the treadmill of artificiality. ~ gale harold |