In a scene reminiscent of a bad dream, a British swimmer found themselves disqualified just moments after believing they had won and earned a place in the final race.
Reaching the Olympics is a significant achievement on its own, but for many athletes, the true sense of accomplishment only comes with a spot on the podium.
Athletes must ensure they are both mentally and physically prepared for the monumental challenge, as one successful performance could dramatically alter their lives.
Earlier this week, British swimmer Luke Greenbank aimed to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the men’s 200m backstroke. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, it wasn’t his year… even though it almost was.
Although Greenbank was a leading contender, finishing first in his heat and outpacing his competitors by a considerable margin, he was disqualified.
After initially believing he had secured his place in the semi-final, Greenbank’s joy turned to despair as he saw the results board and realized he had been disqualified.
He dropped to the floor with his head in his hands, overwhelmed by the realization, as Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe noted just ‘how devastated’ Greenbank was.
Speaking about the disqualification, Greenbank stated: “I don’t know what to say, absolutely gutted. It’s really annoying, I feel like I’m on good form.”
But what exactly did Greenbank do to warrant disqualification?
Race footage revealed that Greenbank was still underwater after the 15-meter mark.
Swimmers are required to break the surface of the water by the 15-meter point and must continue to do so for each lap they swim.
For viewers, a red marker indicates which athletes have violated this rule.
Upon seeing his disqualification, an instant replay confirmed to Greenbank that he was indeed underwater beyond the marker, leaving no room for an appeal.
The 15-meter rule applies to backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle events, but not to breaststroke.
Fans took to social media to express their sympathy for the world-class athlete and this unfortunate twist of fate.
“Argh! That’s a nasty hit for us. Feel for Luke. One of the nicest people you would ever wish to meet!” one Twitter user wrote.
“Ugh, watching Luke Greenbank get disqualified in the Olympic semifinals is heart-wrenching.”
“Oh no, Luke Greenbank of Great Britain just swam the fastest time of the morning in the 200 back but got DQ’d.”