2012 Summer OlympicsMedia MonsterTabloid FodderWeird But True

Olympic Swimmer Admits He Cheated, Gets To Keep Gold Medal Anyway

Mothers eveywhere, rejoice! Honesty truly is the best policy, even at the Olympics! South African swimmer Cameron van der Burgh won the gold in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke, and then admitted to cheating.

But he’ll keep his medal, as well as his world record. Via London Spy:

Cameron van der Burgh has admitted using an illegal dolphin kick on his way to winning the 100m breaststroke gold medal but is allowed to keep his medal as FINA are unable to sanction him.

With no underwater technology swimming’s governing body has no way to investigate the admission five days after the event, meaning that the South African will retain his gold medal.

According to van der Burgh, though, he’s just one of many cheaters tryin’ to make due.

“It’s got to the point where if you’re not doing it you are falling behind or giving yourself a disadvantage. Everyone is pushing the rules and pushing the boundaries and if you’re not doing it you are not trying hard enough.

Van der Burgh admitted he knew the kick was morally wrong but insisted that unless the rule was enforced he, and other swimmers, would continue to employ the tactic.

“Everybody does it — well, if not everybody, 99 per cent of them. If you’re not doing it you are falling behind and giving yourself a disadvantage.

Van der Burgh said that swimming needs underwater cameras to be able to prove all this, and he insists that they should be adopted. A pretty admirable stand from the South African, indicting himself in order to try and better the sport. This isn’t like a baseball player admitting to steroid use because “everyone is doing it.” (According to him at least), everyone really is doing it. He’s actually making sense.

This is yet another instance of a dumb rule ruining a high-profile event, but fortunately, Van der Burgh’s admission might actually help accelerate change.

[London Spy]

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