In a shocking turn of events, Great Britain’s Luke Greenbank was disqualified from the Men’s 200m Backstroke Heat at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The disqualification was due to a lesser-known rule that prohibits swimmers from being fully submerged for more than 15 meters after starting the race or completing a turn.
This rule applies specifically to the backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle events. Despite not being well-known among the public, it is widely recognized by swimmers.
The 26-year-old’s devastating disqualification was met with disbelief as he looked at the scoreboard, expressed distress, and dropped to his knees. Luke expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t know what to say, absolutely gutted.
It’s really annoying. I feel like I’m on good form.”
Luke Greenbank, who had previously won the bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was also part of Team GB, which secured the silver medal in the 4×100-meter medley.
This setback marks a disappointing end to his Olympic journey. In a similar vein, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) issued penalties to two athletes.
Ana Carolina Vieira faced dismissal from the delegation due to her reaction to a “technical decision” made by the committee, described as “disrespectful and aggressive.” As a result, she was sent home immediately.
Her teammate, Gabriel Santos, received a warning for his actions.
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