Disqualified!!!!!!

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Thorpe disqualified in Aussie trials shock

SYDNEY:

Olympic champion Ian Thorpe will not be defending his 400 metre freestyle title at this year’s Athens Olympics after a sensational disqualification at the Australian Olympic swimming trials here yesterday.

Thorpe lost his chance to swim in the event at the Summer Games in August after a protest at his disqualification for a false start was dismissed.

The 21-year-old swimming great overbalanced on the starting blocks and fell into the water before the official start of his morning heat on a dramatic opening day of the eight-day selection trials at the Sydney Olympic pool.

He 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 number four lane and disqualified him to audible gasps from the small crowd.

Thorpe looked stunned at the realisation of what it all meant as he walked off the pool deck. Thorpe appealed the decision but it was rejected, robbing the world swimming superstar of his chance to grab gold in the event he has dominated since 1999.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=77773&Sn=SPOR

This guy has been virtually unbeatable. Holds almost all the titles. Imagine had he been in Pakistan, would a referee do such a thing? And what about the public? It seems extremely harsh but then I guess it is such discipline and un biased officials that help Australia create world beaters? Your comments….

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I think its pretty unfair. He didnt cheat or anything... so what if he lost his balance on the starting block? they should basically look at the times hes doing, and if hes going good, let him in! Afterall hes a star, a world champion. I,m not saying that a star should have a different set of rules for him, but this is an olympic trial. The fastest one should make the team, not someone else just cos he couldnt balance himself on the starting block.