After a 2012 Olympic campaign that yielded only one gold medal in the pool in London, Australia was out for redemption in Rio.
In the aftermath of 2012, an investigation revealed the ‘toxic culture’ that had developed in the Australian team. It resulted in a press conference where those responsible apologised for the behaviour in what was a disappointing return from the swimmers.
So this time around, with a lot learnt from four years ago, what Australia needed was not only a unified team, but to go somewhat under the radar. Instead of that, before a gold medal was even handed out Mack Horton was calling another swimmer ‘a drug cheat’.
So what was the result? It completely dominated what was in the media for the next three days. And while it was alright for Horton who took gold, the rest of swimmers had to carry the load of an Australian calling an opposing swimmer ‘a cheat’.
It was selfish and unnecessary. Its help to the team was zero.
Instead of a team focused on themselves and each other’s goals, it became about one person. It became about ‘big Mack’ and his right ‘freedom of speech’; his ‘admirable fight’ to his fight against drug cheats.
It became all about Mack!
After two gold medals on the opening day, it didn’t take long for Mack Horton and others to point out that Australia had already doubled their gold medals from London. But comparing your current feat with mediocrity can only result in just less mediocrity instead of the desired result.
Only a brilliant effort from Kyle Chalmers, who produced a great swim in the 100m freestyle, could claim gold for the rest of the competition. The spin doctors will try and tell you this team’s effort and results were admirable, but those who deal with reality will know the swimmers didn’t achieve their potential.
Whether Horton’s comments had a negative effect on the team will be up for debate. But for a team looking for unity and focus on themselves as a team, it didn’t help.
Paul
Guest
The only time this guy should open his mouth is when taking breaths while swimming. I mean, is there even any evidence the Chinese guy is a drug cheat? I know he was banned for 3 months or something paltry like that for a banned stimulant but the length of the ban suggests it was far from EPO, steroids, blood doping or something one wouldn't get from taking medication for a sore throat and something which wouldn't give him a huge advantage.
charles
Guest
Horton explained his 5th place in 1500m is due to his sickness (as he claimed), he could have done better. I just want to mention that Yang missed the final was due to sickness (as he claimed) too.
charles
Guest
Most of the people with nationalism but ration in mind.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Yep, he had a head cold. Course he did...
Smell the fear
Guest
Oh dear , you do realise that half your comment count is yourself trying in vain to argue against people who gave some common sense Please continue writing, I love the comedic value More of that stuff where you said NRL teams need to try harder to go back to back
Beardan
Roar Guru
No mate... just people who know nothing about sport, like you.
Smell the fear
Guest
Bruce McAvavaney would describe you as "special", Beardan
Smell the fear
Guest
Who said anything about Horton bring sick ?
Smell the fear
Guest
Have you noticed that 98% of people think you are wrong in all your articles?
Chui
Guest
Actually he is right. Your articles rarely make sense.
Chui
Guest
I guess a head cold doesn't hurt performances when you swim the 1500.
Beardan
Roar Guru
dont worry about him Charles. Will tell me the sky is red if i said it was blue. Best to ignore...
Beardan
Roar Guru
Haha... comparing Michael Phelps to Mack Horton. Pretty hilarious.
Beardan
Roar Guru
Im pretty sure if you go through the news from the last week, you wont find Michael Phelps singling out anyone and calling them a drug cheat.
charles
Guest
You accepted that Mack Horton got 5th place due to sickness, but not Yang's missing final due to sickness and fever a day earlier?
smell the fear
Guest
how did Yang peform in the 1500m were he is the world record holder and defending champion? he missed the final. you normally miss the mark with your articles but this one is special. looking forward to your next installment of comedy
smell the fear
Guest
he has got you there Beardan and exposed your article as false.
spruce moose
Guest
Nonsense. King went on the front foot for the Americans. Phelps said stuff too. Didn't see it affect their campaign.
Beardan
Roar Guru
You are 100% walnuts. When he needed to go with the leaders in the 1500m he didnt have a kick in him and just faded into the minor placings. Next time needs to listen more to Des Hasler and staying under the radar...
charles
Guest
That's part of his 'strategy move' he personally admitted, stirring up negatives on Sun by inflammatory media before the game, that is intentional, not acting immature. It worked for him to get that 400m gold, but I am not particularly proud of him and the later even more complacency when his coach, father, entire aussie media backed him up. At least some of them only backed him up with a weaker reason of 'freedom of speech'.