Thorpe in the 400?

[lozswimmer]

Craig Stevens may be stepping aside so that Thorpe can swim the 400m free in Athens!

From the pullbuoy Site:

stevens to step aside for thorpe
Media reports down under are claiming that Craig Stevens, who took the second Australian spot for the 400m freestyle in Athens, will withdraw from that event to concentrate on his other swims. Such a move would leave a vacant place that could be filled by the Thorpedo. Under Australian Olympic Committee rules, the space could then only be filled by a swimmer already on the Olympic team, which would inevitably be Thorpe. Sources claim that Stevens wants to concentrate on the 4x200 relay and his ultimate goal of a medal in the 1500m freestyle. A formal announcement is expected soon.

More on this story at the Sydney Morning Herald

[Arianna]

Thorpe may not be automatic replacement





The world's greatest 400 metres swimmer, Ian Thorpe, may not be an automatic replacement for Craig Stevens, should Stevens withdraw from the event at the Athens Olympics.

Two of Australia's most eminent legal minds have prepared advice for a joint statement by the Australian Olympic Committee and Australian Swimming which may nominate Josh Krogh, the third placegetter in the 400m freestyle behind Grant Hackett and Stevens at the national trials, for the Games in August.

World record-holder Thorpe, unbeaten in the event since 1998 but disqualified at the trials following a false start, may therefore be rejected by his own federation.

More here...

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/14/1081838795717.html

[Steve]

Ahh, but I just heard on the radio that the legal advice was that they could pick Thorpe. Apart from which Josh Krogh, who came third in the trials under the qualifying time has apparently ruled himself out:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/15/1081838838682.html

[GettingFaster]

Could we see Thorpe becoming a "Brit of convenience" à la Zola Budd? Ok, not for this year's Olympics but you never know who he could be swimming for when the Commonwealths come round...

[Katie]

After all this... he'd be annoyed if he got in and then didn't win, wouldn't he? Just a thought :D

[Katie]

Actually, just reading that article Steve posted:
"Regardless of Craig's decision, the fact remains I didn't qualify in that event - I've moved on and will not be swimming at the Athens Olympics."
I think that ought to be the mentality aussie swimming/Thorpe's legal people should be adpoting!

[swimbuoy]

http://www.swiminfo.com/lane9/news/7148.asp

Lets hope Stevens makes a fortune as he steps aside from an event he has no chance in!!

[joelle]

Yeh by the looks of it he'll do better for himself if he does give up his place! The public will love him, and he'll make loads of money from it - as well as going to the games for his best events! :p
I think automatic qualifying for Olympic Champions into the next games isn't a good idea - 4 years is too long between competitions for it to be assumed they have kept up to that standard. Isn't it part of the Olympic experience just to qualify - even for previous champions? Allowing them to swim without qualifying like everyone else would take away that small achievement in itself. :rainbow:

[Bazza]

Agreed.

I think it is going to happen, but that report in swimbuoy's link claims Stevens has no chance of medalling in the 400 which seems a bit unfair. He swam 3:48.08 at the trials and without Thorpe 3:46 could be a silver or bronze winning time. Maybe it's just to put more pressure on. I guess everyone knows if Thorpe swims Australia should get a 1-2.

[Steve]

Actually, just reading that article Steve posted:
"Regardless of Craig's decision, the fact remains I didn't qualify in that event - I've moved on and will not be swimming at the Athens Olympics."
I think that ought to be the mentality aussie swimming/Thorpe's legal people should be adpoting!
To be fair on Thorpe, that is the attitude he's been giving (in public at least) ever since the trials; all of the most recent kerfuffle has come from Australian Swimming or teh AIS rather than Thorpe's camp.

[Katie]

I agree Steve, I wasn't tryin to blame Thorpe there, just point out that whoever's pushing for him to compete in the Olympics should take a look at Krogh's mentality. :)

[Curly]

From SwimNews today http://www.swimnews.com/index.jsp

AOC Clears the Way for Thorpe to Swim
20-Apr-2004

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has confirmed that it will have the right to nominate Ian Thorpe to the Olympic Team and that he is eligible to swim the 400m Freestyle event, if teammate Craig Stevens withdraws from the event.

There had been questions raised about whether the next eleigible athlete in line would be Josh Krogh who finished 3rd in the 400m Freestyle at the Trials.

The view of AOC lawyer Alan Sullivan which was supported by former chief justice of the High Court, Sir Anthony Mason, the Australian Swimming Selection Criteria uses the term "next ranked athlete". In the opinion handed down yesterday this does in fact mean the "highest ranked non-selected and qualified athlete", which in this case would be Thorpe.

Australian Swimming has discussed the possiblity of putting Thorpe in the 400m Freestyle with Thorpe's manager and he indicated his client's willingness to take the spot if it was available.

At this point no final word has been given by Craig Stevens with regard to withdrawing from the event. His agent Robert Joske has told Stevens to 'get on with his swimming', while he investigates options for him. Joske and his staff will get back to him with some recommendations to help him make his final decision

[Bazza]

Just started a poll.