Horrible Fans at the Olympics!

[vernon]

The race in which Piersol was questioned was the backstroke - not the front crawl. And the issue wasn't his kick; it was whether he flipped over onto his stomach too early on his turn (which, if done, would have slowed him down anyway). No one could detect that in the replays

I know he was in the backstroke, the "problem" was that when he turned onto his front (which you can do as early as you like as long as you glide in and don't kick or propel yourself in any way) was that he "front crawl kicked" into the wall, this is clearly against the rules of backstroke swimming. It was made more obvious because Piersol turned slightly earlier and spent more time on his front than the others did, making the error more obvious. If the NBC commentators chose to "miss it" I wouldn't be suprised, but the BBC commentators pointed it out and the slo mo was definative.

As I said both Kitajima and Piersol commited acts that should have DQd them, neither was, such is life, the results stand. I tend to agree with Piersol's coach that it could very well have been a reaction to his critisism of Kitajima's action, maybe he'll learn the lesson that it's better to keep your mouth shut on matters that don't concern you until after you've competed faultlessly yourself.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Originally posted by vernon
I know he was in the backstroke, the "problem" was that when he turned onto his front (which you can do as early as you like as long as you glide in and don't kick or propel yourself in any way) was that he "front crawl kicked" into the wall, this is clearly against the rules of backstroke swimming. It was made more obvious because Piersol turned slightly earlier and spent more time on his front than the others did, making the error more obvious. If the NBC commentators chose to "miss it" I wouldn't be suprised, but the BBC commentators pointed it out and the slo mo was definative.

As I said both Kitajima and Piersol commited acts that should have DQd them, neither was, such is life, the results stand. I tend to agree with Piersol's coach that it could very well have been a reaction to his critisism of Kitajima's action, maybe he'll learn the lesson that it's better to keep your mouth shut on matters that don't concern you until after you've competed faultlessly yourself.

How interesting that the BBC commentators had a different point of view....(not being sarcastic, just find it genuinely interesting.) Of course, the UK swimmer did stand to medal if the DQ stood.

I know when the DQ was called, my DH thought that must be the reason why. When we saw the slo mo (and we saw it over and over) he was forced to admit that Piersol didn't do anything that looked different from the men on either side of him.

Opinions may differ, but this was hardly a clear cut case. The fact that it went away so spectacularly quickly just lends further credence that this was not an issue that screamed controversy.

 

[gina2000]

Actually, Vernon, the rules state that once a turn is performed in backstroke, the swimmer can pull down one arm stroke (double or single). Once his hand reaches his side, he must begin the turn. In Peirsol's case, his head bobbed upwards once his hand reached his side and he began executing the turn. That's entirely legal in backstroke. If his head had not bobbed, he would have glided into the wall illegally and it would have been a good DQ.

Leg kicks have nothing to do with a DQ in backstroke. It's arm and head motion after the body turns over that determines gliding into the wall. An experienced backstroker who turns too soon sometimes waves his hand underwater very, very slowly while bringing it down towards his waist before letting it rest at his side....again, totally legal. It's the absence of upperbody motion that determines whether the swimmer is gliding or not.

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by theSurlyMermaid
Opinions may differ, but this was hardly a clear cut case. The fact that it went away so spectacularly quickly just lends further credence that this was not an issue that screamed controversy.

 

[gina2000]

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) issued a statement to clarify why the decision was overturned.

"The disqualification of the swimmer in lane four (Aaron Peirsol, USA), was not accepted due to the detail of the reason, supplied by the official, being inadequate and not in the working language of FINA," said the statement.


This actually is the main reason it was overturned. There is no instant replay in swimming and it's up to the judge to report in swim speak.

 

[gina2000]

Here's the FINA rule that applies to continuous motion in a backstroke turn....

SW 6.4 During the turn the shoulders may be turned over the vertical to the breast after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. Once the body has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pull must be part of the continuous turning action. The swimmer must have returned to the position on the back upon leaving the wall. When executing the turn there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the swimmer’s body.

 

[Deb in IA]

Interesting info, gina!

Speaking of horrible fans, how about that Greek crowd at the men's 200 meter final?

Hey, somehow it is the Americans' fault that they paid big $$$ months ago, thinking that they were going to see their national hero, Kostas Kenteris go for the gold in this event?

Sorry, but they should have been upset at Kenteris, for missing his mandatory drug test, not the runners on the track, who presumably, did NOT miss theirs.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5829802/

 

[LisaSt]

I think Hamm should give up the medal or atleast a second Gold should be awarded. just like Kyle Schewfelt got screwed out of a second medal inthe olympics this year this is why gymnastics sucks to many problems and not a single good solution. Not at this level anyhow. Same thing with the figure skating after the french judge was found guilty of fixing the competition scoring at the last olympics that saw the Canadians get silver instead of the gold they should have recieved and finally did get in the end.

 

[Kirby]

Did anyone see when Tim Daggett was asked what he thought Paul Hamm should do? He seemed to act like he really would rather not answer the question but since he was put on the spot he said in so many words that Paul should say something to the effect that he really would like to keep the gold medal but if the OIC wanted him to give it back, he would. Tim said that Paul should put the monkey back on the OIC's back.