Nobody's Perfect

The

re are certain things Australians take for granted when they turn their minds to sport: footballers behave badly on trips, cricketers say harsh things on the field to their opponents and Ian Thorpe wins every time he hits the water in a race. But last Saturday the nation was reminded that the 21-year-old swimmer is, after all, only human. In a 400-m freestyle heat at Australia's Olympic trials in Sydney, the world-record holder and Olympic champion tumbled into the pool before the starter's signal - and was disqualified for a false start. Swimming has had a "one-start" rule since 1998.

"It was surreal," says Daniel Kowalski, a two-time Australian champion in the event and dual Olympian. "Everyone (at the pool) was stunned and it was very quiet." Although Team Thorpe lodged appeals, they were dismissed. When Grant Hackett and Craig Stevens finished one-two in the evening final to qualify for a start in Athens, Thorpe was a spectator. "You're talking about one of the greatest athletes in history - and this is his pet event," said a subdued Hackett. "(Thorpe) must be just hurting." Thorpe is perhaps the nation's most revered sports personality and fans were quick to demand a review of the process - even a ditching of the rules. Arch-rival Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband described the situation as "laughable" and said Australian selectors were "arrogant." "It shows a lack of respect to treat (Thorpe) like this." Swimming Australia defended the starting rule as one known to schoolchildren the world over. SA president John Devitt says the Olympic selection system may be severe but it's the fairest method available. "You've got one chance and you have to be able to perform on the day."

If Australians come to believe that "tragedy" and "horrific" are apt ways to describe the champ's misfortune, that would be a gross over-reaction. Those who know Thorpe expect him to make a quick recovery. Given he won't be racing in a distance event, "Thorpedo" should be able to rejig his workload before August's Games to swim faster in the sprint events and relays, a leading local coach told Time.