Team USA Pan American Games Appeal Accepted, USA Now Shown as Winning Silver in 800 Free Relay

Jul 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Michael Weiss and Michael Klueh of the United States after the men’s 200m freestyle final during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

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Team USA’s appeal of the men’s 800-meter freestyle relay disqualification at the 2015 Pan American Games has been accepted and approved according to Swimming Canada and confirmed by USA Swimming.

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 (1:48.49), Michael Klueh (1:48.26), Gunnar Bentz (1:47.90) and Darian Townsend (1:47.55). However, after the race, Team USA was disqualified because Weiss has taped his fingers together which is against the FINA rule SW 10.8.

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.

Jul 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Michael Weiss of the the United States talks with officials after being disqualified form the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay final for having his fingers taped during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

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) went to bed thinking they took silver in 7:17.33, but now have a bronze.

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

Venezuela, however, does have the opportunity now to protest the loss of the bronze medal.

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

2015 Pan American Games Swimming, Men’s 800 Free Relay Post DQ – Results

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Ironman-Terry You

8 years ago

★ Michael Weiss with finger-taping was not approved by referee prior to 800 free relay. Team USA did violate FINA rule 10.8. It’s hardly believable that their appeal was accepted!

Lisa Sebastian Sylvester

8 years ago

Shame on the coach! Good this was overturned. The bronze winner 6 sec slower than gold and silver! Didn’t deserve any higher medal!

Natália Antunes

8 years ago

Reply to Lisa Sebastian Sylvester

It doesn’t matter how slow or fast the third position was, third means third. Bronze medal, USA Swimming didn’t obey the rules, they deserve any medal. It’s that simple.

Preciousbubs

8 years ago

Reply to Natália Antunes

I totally agree. USA cheated again and got away with it. If it happened to any other team the protest would have been denied. He hurt his finger what a shame poor baby he can’t swim without tape on it. If it was that bad he shouldn’t have withdrawn from the etam. These swimmers know the rules so it’s their fault.

Greg

8 years ago

Overturning the call is BS. Weak officiating!

Preciousbubs

8 years ago

Reply to Greg

USA violated the rules and cheated. The protest should not have been accepted. They clearly knew the rules. Hope the Venizulaian team puts in a protest

Brian Mullies

8 years ago

The officials must have determined that the tape provided no advantage.

Ironman-Terry You

8 years ago

Reply to Brian Mullies

★ If so, why USA team was disqualified at first moment? Michael Weiss had two fingers taped together. Everybody knows it will be able to get benefit by basic Physics concept. Isn’t it?

completelyconquered

8 years ago

The article left out the parenthesis portion of rule 10.8 which states “Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by FINA Sport Medicine Committee”. Weiss hurt his finger after swimming the 200 free earlier in the session. It is reasonable to assume that he was treated by medical staff on hand. It sounds like to me that the medical staff did not communicate to the referee during 800 free relay that they had treated Weiss and applied tape to his fingers. So, there shouldn’t be any blame on the coaches, and the anti-American comments about how this is BS are unnecessary.

Preciousbubs

8 years ago

Reply to completelyconquered

It is BS and the americans are nowor chating

Natália Antunes

8 years ago

I have nothing against USA Swimming, I’m quite a big fan, but it they weren’t obeying the rules, this is ridiculous… Why everyone else needs to obey them if USA Swimming doesn’t? They better do some kind of explanation

Alan Scott

8 years ago

Get a grip people, you aren’t here in the meetings. This event is here in Canada not being hosted by the US. The rules committee isn’t favoring USA – if anything they will be favoring the home team Canada. Clearly their was a reason for their decision. Accusations of “cheating” because a medical person taped two fingers together is far fetched.

Alan Scott

8 years ago

Reply to Alan Scott

Not to mention he just swam the 400 IM prelim with the fingers taped so it was obviously ok-ed by the Sports Medicine Committee. Calling him a “poor baby” is pathetic name calling. Calling him a cheater is classless and clueless. Get the facts before you post your crap people.

Christophe Charpentier

8 years ago

The rule is the rule. We all know it. It shouldn’t have been overturned. Even us, older masters, though we would sometime need this supporting tapes, know that this is against the rules.

Christophe Charpentier

8 years ago

The rule is the rule. We all know it. It shouldn’t have been overturned. Even us, older masters, though we would sometime need this supporting tapes, know that this is against the rules.

Alan Scott

8 years ago

Reply to Christophe Charpentier

Christophe,
So you know all the details of the situation? If you know the rule you know the rule says permission can be granted. Where you there? Do you know if permission was granted or not? In your very limited knowledge you think the rule shouldn’t have been overturned. The key is that you have VERY LIMITED knowledge of the situation!

Vince

8 years ago

We are accustomed to the U.S bashing by the jealous , rage-filled monkeys from the rest of the world. You can’t stand to watch U.S win and get thrilled with erections when they don’t get gold even when we send the B team. We can’t wait to demolish y’all in the pool at the Olympics once again. See you in Rio 🙂 God bless the USA!