American swimmer Alex Walsh was disqualified from the women's 200m individual medley final at the Tokyo Olympics after she was deemed to have taken an illegal stroke during the breaststroke leg of her race.
Team USA's Alex Walsh was disqualified from the women's 200m individual medley final at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday night after she was deemed to have taken an illegal stroke during the breaststroke leg of her race.
Walsh, who was the fastest qualifier for the final, was leading the race after the butterfly and backstroke legs when she was disqualified on the breaststroke leg. The disqualification was met with disappointment and confusion from Walsh and her team, as it was unclear what specific rule she had broken.
Team USA's Alex Walsh Disqualified in Women's 200m IM Final
Upon further review, it was determined that Walsh had taken a "dolphin kick" during the breaststroke leg, which is not allowed under FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) rules. A dolphin kick is a swimming technique where the legs are brought together and then thrust out laterally in a wave-like motion, propelling the swimmer forward.
Walsh later admitted that she had made a mistake and that she was unaware that she had taken an illegal stroke. "I knew I was getting tired and I just wanted to keep going," Walsh said. "I made a mistake and I'm paying the price."
The disqualification was a major setback for Walsh, who had been favored to win a medal in the 200m IM. It was also a disappointment for Team USA, which was looking to add to its medal count in the swimming competition.
Despite the disqualification, Walsh remained positive and said that she was proud of her performance. "I gave it my all and I'm proud of what I accomplished," Walsh said. "I'll learn from this and I'll be back stronger next time."
In the aftermath of the disqualification, there has been some debate about the fairness of the rule against dolphin kicks in the breaststroke. Some swimmers and coaches argue that the rule is too strict and that it prevents swimmers from using a natural and efficient swimming technique.
However, FINA maintains that the rule is necessary to ensure that all swimmers are competing on a level playing field. The rule against dolphin kicks in the breaststroke has been in place for many years and it is unlikely to be changed in the near future.
Despite the disqualification, Walsh's performance in the 200m IM showed that she is a talented swimmer with a bright future. She is expected to be a major contender for medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
