Controversy Reigns With Finger-Taping DQ of Team USA as Brazil Blasts Way to Pan American Games Mark in 800 Free Relay

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Photo Courtesy: ESPN3/CBC

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UPDATE: PAN AMERICAN GAMES OFFICIALS ACCEPTED TEAM USA’S APPEAL, REINSTATING ITS SILVER MEDAL

Controversy reigned in the men’s 800-meter free relay as Team USA was disqualified behind Brazil’s Pan American Games record at the 2015 Pan American Games.

Brazil’s Luiz Melo (1:48.39), Joao De Lucca (1:47.79), Thiago Pereira (1:48.14) and Nicolas Oliveira (1:46.83) won the men’s 800-meter free relay with a time of 7:11.15. That swim cleared Brazil’s 2007 record of 7:12.27 to break the record and deliver Brazil another freestyle relay victory.

Team USA had initially won silver with a 7:12.20 from Michael Weiss, Michael Klueh, Gunnar Bentz and Darian Townsend. However, after the race, Team USA was disqualified because Weiss has taped his fingers together which is against the FINA rule SW 10.8.

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Photo Courtesy: ESPN3/CBC

The medal ceremony was postponed pending an appeal from Team USA, so we will know later whether Team USA can litigate the controversy to its favor.

The rule in question is as follows:

SW 10.8 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by FINA Sport Medicine Committee.

USA Swimming released the following statement regarding the disqualification and appeal:

U.S. swimmer Michael Weiss injured his middle finger of his left hand on the finish of the 200-meter freestyle tonight and had his fingers taped for treatment prior to the 800m free relay. The relay was disqualified in violation of FINA rule 10.8, which states that no tape may be placed on the body.

The U.S. protested the disqualification, and the decision is in the hands of the referee.

Canada’s Jeremy Bagshaw (1:49.56), Alec Page (1:49.20), Stefan Milosevic (1:49.33) and Ryan Cochrane (1:49.24) took silver in 7:17.33.

Venezuela’s Daniele Tirabassi (1:51.75), Marcos Lavado (1:50.04), Andres Doria (1:50.39) and Cristian Quintero (1:48.96) earned bronze in 7:21.14.

Mexico (7:22.12) and Argentina (7:22.82) also had clean times.

SCHEDULED EVENTS

Women’s 200 free
Men’s 200 free
Women’s 200 breast
Men’s 200 breast
Women’s 200 back
Men’s 200 back
Men’s 800 free relay

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James Hooper

8 years ago

Unfortunate that he was injured, but the rule specifically states “no tape” and he had tape. Not sure what the protest is all about.

Pamela Kalas

8 years ago

Reply to James Hooper

Maybe they are not aware that fingers are part of the body? Or, they are claiming that the tape was actually on the bandage and not directly on the skin?

Pamela Kalas

8 years ago

Reply to James Hooper

Maybe they are not aware that fingers are part of the body? Or, they are claiming that the tape was actually on the bandage and not directly on the skin?