Quote:
Originally posted by simmnfierzig
No he was 4th because he was slower, not because of that shove  |
He would've been 3rd though without the contact.
Do you know about speed-walking? It's 99% mental. The minute the Japanese guy shoved through him, which again - is against the rules and he should've went around, all the rhythm that has been made is lost and hard to regain. All the commentators stated that, and they all said immediately that it was indeed against the rules.
Had the Japanese guy went around him, and not shove into him - then yes I'd understand stating that he Canadian was slower. But the fact remains of that Japanese guy didn't shove, he wouldn't have lost his rhythm and probably would've stayed at a steady pace. There's a reason this sport says no physical force must be used when passing someone, no matter how little it is - it completely destroys an individual's rhythm and it isn't fair that someone else caused it.
The IOC wouldn't have DQ'd if they didn't feel that way either.
And Viner isn't going to like that there is a Ukrainian in between them. 
