2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Day 1 Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
This morning, Japan’s Kanako Watanabe was disqualified in the 100 breast, and now the Chinese men will miss out on an opportunity to swim in the final of the 4×100 free relay.
The Chinese team, made up of He Jianbin, Lin Yongqing, Ning Zetao, and Yu Hexin was flagged for an early takeover, though it’s not yet clear who jumped. On the results page, only He’s lead-off leg of 50.08 shows up, so it might have been 2nd leg Lin who dove in early.
With a 50.08 lead-off, it’s hard to imagine that the Chinese might have made the final even if they hadn’t been disqualified. While Ning and Yu are two very strong sprinters, and Ning is a medal contender in the 100 free, the Chinese team didn’t seem strong enough to make the final.
Regardless, China will not race in the 4×100 free relay final tonight after their DQ. Russia, USA, and Australia lead the way for the final tonight with 3:12’s with France not far behind. Japan, who led off with Katsumi Nakamura‘s 47.99 that was the fastest lead-off of the entire field, gets in at 8th for the final. Also contending tonight will be Canada, Brazil, and Belgium.
Ning Zetao is the reason why im watching this. Why does this have to happen
Could someone kindly explain in detail why the China team was disqualified ?
Also, I am not sure to understand the prevailing rule at relays (when exactly is the next swimmer allowed to jump).
Clarifications will be welcome. Thanks in advance !
The DQ came because one of the three remaining swimmers following the lead-off swimmer left the block too early. “Jump” means leaving the starting block before the swimmer in the water has touched the wall.
Hope this is clear.
Former swimmer here. Swimmer on the blocks must remain in contact with the block until the swimmer in the water has touched the wall – however, the swimmer on the block is permitted to initiate movement before the wall touch.
@LIMELITE and @PMA
Thanks to both. Explanations are clear. However, I am wondering how, in practice, the rule can be enforced and possible DQ can be detected. Electronically, I imagine : both the wall and the block have sensors connected to electronic clock.
If Time(next swimmer leaves the block) < Time(lead-off swimmer touches the wall) then there is DQ. Is it correct ?
Yes like you have to pass the baton in a foot race