Although Andrew Gemmell touched first during the men’s 10K at the U.S. Open Water Nationals, he did not wind up the victor after what was deemed to be a disqualification.
Gemmell won by a significant margin, as seen in the finish video below.
However, he was disqualified as his tracker chip fell off during the race. He later lost an official appeal that left Ferry Weertman of The Netherlands the winner in 1:53:55.111.
Gemmell, however, pressed on with more appeals and according to an anonymous source close to the situation won on a technicality.
FINA rules require that swimmers return with both tracker chips that swimmers must secure on their bodies. This race, however, was done under USA Swimming rules, which do not have this same rule.
USA Swimming confirmed the news, posting official results with Gemmell winning in 1:53:53.791
2016 U.S. Open Water Nationals: 10Ks – Results
Mission Viejo’s Ous Mellouli took third in 1:53:55.569, while Tennessee’s Alex Meyer placed fourth in 1:53:57.401.
Gemmell took to Twitter following the denial of his official appeal, as he’s already looking towards Trials.
https://twitter.com/USASwimLive/status/718476971760553985
https://twitter.com/USASwimLive/status/718494631193874432
Andrew Gemmell is an outstanding athlete and class act.