Tokyo Bronze Medalist Luke Greenbank DQed in 200 Back For Going Past 15 Meters

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

Luke Greenbank won bronze in the men’s 200 backstroke in Tokyo three years ago but will not have a chance to be back on the podium after being disqualified in prelims of the event. Greenbank went past the 15 meter mark off of the start.

The 26 year old entered the event as the #19 seed with a 1:56.39 which he swam at the British Championships this April. His best time stands at a 1:54.43 that he swam in 2021, a time that would have made him the #3 seed if it were within the qualifying period.

He touched first out of heat four this morning, swimming what would have been an outside smoke out of lane 1 but was ultimately disqualified. His time of a 1:56.08 was the fastest of the morning by a solid margin as Roman Mityukov instead is the top seed heading into tonight’s semifinals after swimming a 1:56.62 this morning.

Greenbank seemed pleased with his time after the race this morning but moments later, the time was changed to a DSQ on the board. Greenbank saw this after getting out of the pool and fell to his knees in shock.

The 200 backstroke was Greenbank’s only individual race of the meet.

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Vutalisk
3 months ago

This comment segment is hilarious for slamming the rules and all sort of crazy excuses. He swam this event for god knows how many times and won a bronze medal at Tokyo for this. He knows this rule like it is his baby. So he made a bad mistake that he needs to own up to it.End of the story.

Michael
3 months ago

Deleted

Last edited 3 months ago by Michael
David S
3 months ago

I’m prehistoric enough to remember when swimmers did 30m

Barty’s Bakery
3 months ago

This sucks for him especially because he didn’t need to go anywhere near as hard to qualify, but the DQ is very obvious so really no arguing against

JRR
3 months ago

We’re not gonna talk about how GWalsh went past it at least twice including off the relay start in the 4×100 huh

Horninco
Reply to  JRR
3 months ago

I agree that was close but it does appear as if her head is breaking the surface right at the 15m mark. Also keep in mind the camera angle on GW’s race will affect how that looks

It’s close and it seems you have an axe to grind here, but hers and Luke’s aren’t in the same realm. Luke’s is very clearly past the mark by a significant margin

Dan
Reply to  Horninco
3 months ago

I think they have 2 cameras set up for each 15m marker (one on each side of the pool).

Claveria
Reply to  JRR
3 months ago

USA cap: if you look this way… that camera angle… in a closer view… I’d need to see that again…
Non USA cap but english speaker: I feel for him/her
Non USA cap, nor english speaker: cheater!

Last edited 3 months ago by Claveria
Sapiens Ursus
Reply to  JRR
3 months ago

You’ll also notice that in the top lanes of the pool swimmers will often look like they’re leading the race when they’re actually half a meter or more behind, the broadcast angle is decieving and the judges have a better view than you do.

e-Swimmer77
3 months ago

This shouldn’t happen to such an experienced swimmer. He was a full meter over the 15 meter mark.

applesandoranges
3 months ago

Every backstroker takes a chance when they try to pop up to the surface after 14.95 meters underwater. Some judge better than others.

DrSwimPhil
3 months ago

Was this the first non-false start DQ of the whole meet?

mvnjuan
Reply to  DrSwimPhil
3 months ago

Nope. The Mexican breaststroker who did a fly kick to finish

JackMeowMeow
Reply to  mvnjuan
3 months ago

Also the italian Scotto Di Carlo in the 100fly heats, dqued due to a wrong fly turn

Dan
Reply to  DrSwimPhil
3 months ago

Think a DQ for a fly kick at the finish for a men’s breaststroke race as well.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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