SYDNEY, Australia -- World record-holder Ian Thorpe 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.
Thorpe appeared to overbalance on the blocks and fell into the
water before the 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 center.
Thorpe appeared stunned as he walked off the pool deck.
Australian Swimming chief executive Glenn Tasker announced the
jury's findings.
"His swimming club lodged an appeal to the referee and
subsequently dismissed the protest," Tasker said. "Following that
the club went to the next level, which was to ask Australian
Swimming to convene a jury of appeal.
"Having read the protest document, the response of the referee
and having interviewed the referee, the competitor and the team
manager, the jury determined it would also view the broadcaster's
video.
"Having done that it is our determination that the referee's
decision is correct and a determination of fact, the protest is
dismissed, so Ian's disqualification stands."
Thorpe's manager, David Flaskas, said Thorpe felt the
competitors had been kept on the blocks too long.
"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 also is the world record holder. He also holds the world record
in the 800, a non-Olympic event.
Grant Hackett, the world 1,500-meter world record holder and
defending Olympic champion, qualified fastest in the 400 after
Thorpe was disqualified.
"It's just one of those things where words can't describe how
Ian would be feeling or what would be going through his mind right
now because it's a very difficult situation," Hackett said.
"You're talking about one of the greatest athletes in history
here and this is his pet event. He must be just hurting. I can't
believe it."
Hackett praised Thorpe's sportsmanship during the
disqualification.
"He didn't throw any chairs. He didn't get upset. He just
quietly took himself behind the barriers," Hackett said.