Disqualification at the Olympics: swimmer broke the rule of 15 meters underwater
2 august 2024 в 05:37
The 26-year-old swimmer was disqualified under a little-known rule during the 200-meter backstroke competition on July 31st — he swam more than the allowed 15 meters underwater at the start of the race.
Luke’s face quickly changed to an expression of despair as he looked at the scoreboard, put his hands on his head in despair, and dropped to his knees.
After the news became known, Luke spoke to journalists about the disappointing disqualification.
«I don’t know what to say, absolutely shattered», - he said. «It's really annoying. I feel like I’m in good shape».
According to FINA, the international governing body of swimming competitions, swimmers participating in backstroke cannot be fully submerged more than 15 meters after the start of the race or completion of the turn.
«By this point, the head should have surfaced», - the rules state. Along each swimming lane are red buoys marking the 15-meter mark, and although this is not a well-known rule among the public, it is well known among swimmers. The 15-meter rule applies to backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle, but not breaststroke.
Luke won a bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was also part of the British team that won a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay. His teammate Ollie Morgan advanced to the semifinals.
The British athlete is not the first swimmer whose Olympic journey was interrupted. Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira was sent home after she was caught leaving the Olympic village with another teammate, Gabriel Santos, after the opening ceremony on July 26.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) punished the two athletes, but for Ana, things became even more serious because of her reaction to the committee.
After being reprimanded, Ana reacted to the «technical decision» made by the committee in a «disrespectful and aggressive» manner, according to a COB press release. As a result, she was sent home.
«Gabriel Santos was punished with a warning, and athlete Ana Carolina Vieira was punished by being excluded from the delegation», - the press release concluded. «She will immediately return to Brazil»
Luke’s face quickly changed to an expression of despair as he looked at the scoreboard, put his hands on his head in despair, and dropped to his knees.
After the news became known, Luke spoke to journalists about the disappointing disqualification.
«I don’t know what to say, absolutely shattered», - he said. «It's really annoying. I feel like I’m in good shape».
According to FINA, the international governing body of swimming competitions, swimmers participating in backstroke cannot be fully submerged more than 15 meters after the start of the race or completion of the turn.
«By this point, the head should have surfaced», - the rules state. Along each swimming lane are red buoys marking the 15-meter mark, and although this is not a well-known rule among the public, it is well known among swimmers. The 15-meter rule applies to backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle, but not breaststroke.
Luke won a bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was also part of the British team that won a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay. His teammate Ollie Morgan advanced to the semifinals.
The British athlete is not the first swimmer whose Olympic journey was interrupted. Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira was sent home after she was caught leaving the Olympic village with another teammate, Gabriel Santos, after the opening ceremony on July 26.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) punished the two athletes, but for Ana, things became even more serious because of her reaction to the committee.
After being reprimanded, Ana reacted to the «technical decision» made by the committee in a «disrespectful and aggressive» manner, according to a COB press release. As a result, she was sent home.
«Gabriel Santos was punished with a warning, and athlete Ana Carolina Vieira was punished by being excluded from the delegation», - the press release concluded. «She will immediately return to Brazil»
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
