Swimming: Controversy over Thorpe continues

The push to allow Ian Thorpe to defend his 400m freestyle title in Athens was described as a "debacle" by former Olympic swimming champion Dawn Fraser yesterday.

Thorpe was disqualified from the 400s at the national trials in March for a false start after slipping off the blocks, but Craig Stevens gave up his spot in the event and was replaced by the Olympic champion.

"I just thought that was the biggest debacle in Australian swimming since my era," Fraser said.

"If it was me and I had been in Craig Stevens' position I wouldn't have given it up for anyone."

"With all due respect to Thorpe, he knows the rules and regulations of starts and he shouldn't have fallen in."

"Who knows if the kid [Stevens] couldn't have won a medal in the 400 in Athens because he's young and he's improving all the time."

Thorpe, who won three gold medals at the Sydney Olympics, also qualified for the 100m and 200m, as well as the three relays for August's Games.

No stranger to controversy, Fraser dominated the 100m freestyle event at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics.