Team GB star drops to floor after being DISQUALIFIED from Olympics 2024 by little-known rule
TEAM GB star Luke Greenbank was DISQUALIFIED from the 200 metre backstroke having swam the fastest time in the heats.
The 26-year-old thought he had safely booked his spot in the semi-finals by beating German Lukas Maertens in the fourth heat on Wednesday morning.
But he was then left with his head in his hands when a video replay saw him disqualified for being underwater beyond the 15-metre mark at the start.
He appeared to be looking up at the screen immediately after winning the heat.
And when the result was confirmed in the stadium Greenbank was visibly distraught.
He collapsed to his knees as he realised his Olympic dream in Paris was over due to the rule break.
Speaking after the gut-wrenching DQ, he said: “I don’t know what to say, absolutely gutted.
“It’s really annoying, I feel like I’m on good form.”
One commentator on Discovery+ said: “I’m so devastated for him.
“That hand as it comes up is so far beyond the 15 [metre mark].”
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She then went on to add: “He knew because they know how many kicks they do underwater to get to the 15-metre mark.
“Wow, drama in Paris.”
Greenbank won bronze in the 200m backstroke at the Tokyo Games three years ago, while he was also a part of the GB team that claimed silver in the 4x100m medley.