2012 Summer OlympicsMedia MonsterSports & PoliticsTabloid FodderWeird But True

British Cyclists Intentionally Crash To Win Gold Medal, Somehow Do Not Actually Violate Any Rule

Badminton players were kicked out for intentionally losing. A fencing outcome was tearfully protested. Japan’s women’s soccer squad intentionally didn’t win in order to save a 300-mile trip. A boxer was screwed so royally that the decision was overturned.

In other words, there’s been plenty of controversy at the 2012 London Olympics. The latest? The British cycling team crashed intentionally during the team sprint, allowing his team to restart via a strange rule. They went on to win gold. And set a world record.

Deadspin explains the “loophole” they exploited.

Three cyclists from each country ride in single file. After one lap, the leading cyclist peels off; after a second, another cyclist drops back, leaving the third cyclist to complete the race. In yesterday’s qualifying, only the top two teams would progress to the gold medal match. And the British team didn’t get off to a good start.

Philip Hindes was in the “man one” position, meaning he had to lead the first lap. But he skidded out of the gate, and was in danger of being passed by a teammate. That would have been a disqualification. So Hindes crashed. On purpose. Because, for some reason, that allowed the British team to restart the entire race.

How do we know the crash was intentional? Well, one of the cyclists said it himself:

“So I crashed, I did it on purpose just to get the restart, just to have the fastest ride. It was all planned really,” said Hindes.

In track cycling the rules dictate that in the event of an early crash, teams can restart their race and the UCI, when contacted by AFP, said the result would stand.

[...]

The 19-year-old said that, with so much at stake in the London Olympic velodrome, he had talked over such scenarios with the British team.

“When that happens you can lose so much time… my only chance was to crash and get the restart,” said Hindes, who admitted that neither Hoy nor Kenny had been fazed by his actions.

“I think they knew I’d done it on purpose,” he said. “We were speaking yesterday,that if anything happens someone has to crash. So I did it.”

So Hindes knew about the loophole, and the team knew they were going to take advantage of it if the need arose. Which it did. Later, British Cycling said the German-born cyclist’s comments were “lost in translation.” And at the official news conference, Hindes ” modified his comments… to say he lost control of his bike.”

The IOC has already cleared the Brits of any wrongdoing and the record and medals will stand. It wasn’t against the rules, and there was nothing that could be done. It’s a stupid rule — one that might soon be changed — but it’s a rule, nonetheless. You might not like it, but: within the rules, period. You know, like that time three talented, strapping young fellas teamed up to form a really good basketball team.

[AP, Deadspin]

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