Splashbacks (July-August): Backstroke Finish Rule Requires An Overhaul; Ryan Lochte Auctions Olympic Medals
A new year is around the corner and if 2023 is anything like the past 12 months, there will be plenty to discuss and follow. Over the last year, the sport witnessed its share of standout performances, some controversy, the emergence of new stars and a jam-packed competition calendar.
Keeping with tradition, Swimming World will wrap up the 2022 campaign with its annual series titled, Splashbacks. Through six installments that are broken into two-month periods, we will revisit some of the biggest (and most-read) stories from the past year.
Here are the top stories from July and August.
1. Backstroke Finish Rule Needs Change After World Championships DQ Ordeal
Following a controversial disqualification and overturn in the 50 backstroke at the World Championships involving Justin Ress, this piece focused on the rule concerning the backstroke finish. The article called for clarification to the wording of the rule, and the allowance for swimmers to lunge for the wall at the finish, and not be disqualified for submerging in this process.
2. Six Ryan Lochte Olympic Medals Hit Auction Block
In early July, news hit that 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte was auctioning off six of his Olympic medals, with the proceeds going to charity. A four-time Olympian, Lochte put three silver medals and three bronze medals on the auction block, including three pieces of hardware from his efforts in the 200 individual medley.
3. David Popovici Sets 100 Free World Record of 46.86
Already the world champion in the event, Romanian teenager David Popovici affirmed his status as the top guy in the 100-meter freestyle at the European Championships. In Rome, Popovici clocked a world record of 46.86 to break the 13-year-old standard of Brazil’s Cesar Cielo. Popovici also starred at Euros in the 200 freestyle, where he cracked the 1:43 barrier.
4. Adam Peaty Will Not Go to Doha Worlds in 2024; Tom Dean Calls For Review of Schedule
In the wake of FINA announcing there would be a 2024 World Championships in Doha, just weeks before the Olympic Trials season, British breaststroke star Adam Peaty announced he would not attend the event. Peaty indicated he would focus on his Olympic preparation, while British teammate and Olympic champ Tom Dean stated a review of the scheduling needed to be conducted.
The Lia Thomas controversy continued on when the University of Pennsylvania nominated the transgender woman for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The nomination prompted the Consortium on Female Sport to demand the NCAA and Penn withdraw Thomas’ name as a nominee, as the nomination was an affront to the biological females in the running for the accolade.