Whirlwind Finish and Post-Race Drama at Men’s 10k Open Water Worlds

Posted May 5, 2008 at 01:00 PM by Michael J. Sedor

Section: Beijing 2008, Beijing Results, Events, Aquatics, Featured Writers, Michael Sedor

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What news could possibly emerge from the Men’s 10k Open Water World Championships that would top yesterday’s Natalie du Toit 10k qualification? Admittedly none. But three-time Olympic gold medalist and Australian swim team captain Grant Hackett’s failure to qualify comes pretty close.

Hackett is the current holder of the longest pool event, the 1500m, world record, but that didn’t help him in the more chaotic atmosphere of the 10k open water event. Hackett shockingly placed 15th, five places shy of qualification. The real fun, however, began after the race had finished. The Australian star was disqualified for interfering with other racers. In disbelief Hackett complained to the press that “with 150m to go, another swimmer swam over the top of me and pulled me back, and I swam over his legs - and that’s what I was supposedly disqualified for.” The DQ was a cruel insult to injury; Hackett’s time wouldn’t have qualified him anyway.

Further insult found its way to the Hackett when an AP photographer snapped an unflattering picture post race of his distended belly and flabby muscles. Speculation of poor training and over-confidence ran rampant over the internet. Let’s hope Hackett addresses the world on his blog sometime in the near future.

Australian head coach Greg Towle has already had his say. He stuck up for his beleaguered star almost immediately stating that “considering how much treatment he got through the race and how much he had to deal with, it [the disqualification] is unbelievable...He is the most honourable sportsman we have in the country and we stand by him.” We wonder, is that a compliment towards Hackett or an insult the Australia’s other sportsmen.

Lost in the Hacket hubbub was the thriller of a race whose 10,000 meters ended with a near photo finish. Defending 10k world champ and open water specialist Vladimir Dyatchin edged out Briton David Davies, the 2004 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist, by just 0.3 second. Davies had led the entire race and was overtaken with victory just meters away. Ironman triathlete and Australian Dancing With the Stars competitor Ky Hurst finished fifth and will be going to Beijing. No word if he will attempt to compete in the new Olympic triathlon event. That would be an extraordinary double.