Did America’s cocky relay team break Olympic swimming rules? Ian Thorpe questions whether US swimmer fell foul of little-known regulation after their dominant win
- Olympic athlete Ian Thorpe questions if American swimmer broke a rule
- Zach Apple jumped out of the pool after finishing the freestyle leg in the relay
- Thorpe said athletes must keep their toe in the water until the race is complete
- United States dominated the race, followed by the United Kingdom and Italy
Ian Thorpe has questioned if an American athlete may have disregarded Olympic rules by exiting the pool before his competitors had finished the race.
The retired Olympic legend, among others who were commentating the Men’s 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, were quick to notice the faux pas.
American swimmer Zach Apple led his team to victory in the final leg of the race, closely followed by Britain with Italy finishing third.
American swimmer Zach Apple (centre) led his team to victory in the final leg of the race, closely followed by the United Kingdom and Italy finishing in third
However, Australian commentators have questioned if Apple may have disregarded Olympic rules by exiting the pool before his competitors had finished the race
The athlete swum the fastest freestyle leg of the field at 46.95 seconds.
As a jubilant Apple is helped out of the pool and starts to celebrate with teammates Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, and Caeleb Dressel, the commentators question if the athlete has broken a long-standing rule.
‘Thorpie I think you’re wondering had they all finished before Zach Apple got out of the pool,’ a commentator probes.
‘Your toe needs to be in the water, is the rule,’ Thorpe confirms.
The US proved its dominance in the 4x100m, having never lost the men’s medley relay at an Olympics Games.
Luke Greenbank, Adam Peaty, James Guy and Scott took silver, finishing 0.73 seconds behind the US, who finessed a world record time of three minutes and 26.78 seconds.
As a jubilant Apple (left) is helped out of the pool and starts to celebrate with teammates Ryan Murphy (right), Michael Andrew and Caeleb Dressel, the commentators question if the athlete has broken a long-standing rule
‘Thorpie I think you’re wondering had they all finished before Zach Apple got out of the pool,’ a commentator probes
Victory for the USA was a second win on Sunday for Caeleb Dressel after prevailing in the 50m freestyle earlier, capping a sensational Games for the 24-year-old, who has collected five golds in Japan and now has seven overall.
It comes as Australia won three gold medals hours in the space of two hours in a historic day for our athletes at the Tokyo Olympics.
Logan Martin made history as the first ever gold medallist in the freestyle BMX after the sport made its Olympic debut.
The young dad, 27, from the Gold Coast wowed viewers back home with an incredible display of tricks.
Earlier, Australia’s golden girls of the pool smashed records and lifted an entire country’s spirits with another amazing morning.
Logan Martin made history as the first ever gold medallist in the freestyle BMX after the sport made its Olympic debut
Emma McKeon won two gold medals in the space of 45 minutes to become Australia’s most successful Olympic athlete of all time
Emma McKeon won two gold medals in the space of 45 minutes to become Australia’s most successful Olympic athlete of all time.
The 27-year-old won the 50m freestyle in an Olympic record before claiming her fourth gold medal of the games in the 4x100m women’s medley.
Australia’s second gold of the day, and ninth of the Games, came after a blistering anchor leg from superstar Cate Campbell.
McKeon is now Australia’s most successful Olympian ever with 11 medals from two Games, including seven in Tokyo.
Australia also took home its 14th gold in sailing on Sunday, when Matt Wearn only needing to finished without a disqualification to confirm victory in the Laser class.
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