Sydney, Mar 27: Ian Thorpe will not be able to defend his Olympic 400m freestyle title after being disqualified from the Australian team trials in Sydney. Thorpe was thrown out of his heat when he overbalanced on his blocks and fell into the water. The 21-year-old, who had been aiming for six gold medals in Athens, lodged an appeal but it was rejected. Under Australia's rules, swimmers must finish first or second in the trials to qualify for Olympic team selection. Thorpe claimed he had heard a noise before falling into the water but officials upheld the original decision. "Our determination is that the referee's decision is correct and as a determination of the fact the protest is dismissed so Ian's disqualification stands," said an Australian Swimming official.
The one-start rule was brought in by world swimming governing body FINA in 1998. Bureau Report