PortJackson

What is the world coming to if we cant all row together

Row Row

Siren & Brian

Not registered, how about a cut and paste.

PortJackson

The saga with the stinging sequel
By Alex Brown
September 17, 2004



It started with a late-race collapse, escalated with a physical threat and manifested into a highly public finger-pointing session.

Now, after rower Catriona Oliver slapped Sally Robbins at an official Olympic function on Wednesday, the Australian women's eight feud has officially assumed Melrose Place proportions.

Robbins, who attracted criticism from teammates following her dramatic collapse late in the Olympic eight final, will not press charges against Oliver for slapping her on the shoulder.

But given that Oliver will face a Rowing Australia disciplinary committee next week, where she stands to be reprimanded, fined and/or suspended, the controversy appears far from over.

Tensions reignited shortly after the welcome home parade for Olympians in Sydney on Wednesday.

The women were counselled on Tuesday, but at the Australian Olympic Committee dinner after the parade, an emotional Oliver broke from a conversation with men's rowing head coach Noel Donaldson, approached Robbins and hit her across the shoulder.

According to witnesses, the sound of the blow turned heads, allowing onlookers to see a tearful Robbins hurriedly leaving for the women's toilets.

Neither Robbins nor Oliver returned calls from the Herald yesterday, though Oliver issued an apology to her crew-mate and "all the other athletes at the function" through Rowing Australia.

Katie Foulkes, coxswain of the women's eight, conceded the incident was regrettable.

"I've told all the girls to try and keep their emotions in a little bit more," Foulkes said. "The simple fact is [Oliver] is an emotional person, but it goes further in that her emotion is one of her best qualities. I'm not sure what triggered last night, but I'm quite sure it wasn't Sally who started it."

In Athens, Foulkes appeared at a press conference with most of the team, to present a unified front after team members threatened to throw Robbins from the boat after her collapse 350 metres from the finish.

But as the conference progressed, it became apparent not all was well within the crew. Kyeema Doyle, who last week continued her criticism of Robbins in The Manly Daily, was evasive when asked if she would row with Robbins again.

And Oliver assumed an aggressive stance, shaking as she told reporters "we're not punching each other, we're not fighting with each other ... we're not doing this for PR because we are not practised in doing anything in front of the media."

Robbins's mother, Marian, was hesitant to speak publicly yesterday, saying only that "Sally is doing OK and knows we are there for her whenever she needs it".

But sources within Rowing Australia expressed frustration at the saga, given that all rowers concerned have given repeated assurances they would stop commenting on Robbins publicly.

Robbins, for her part, has already turned down several lucrative offers to sell her story, concerned that any payment would anger crewmates. She plans to take a sabbatical and study sports journalism in Perth.

"This has been very emotional for her, but she is a strong girl and I think she will continue [rowing]," said Robbins's personal coach, Antonio Maurogiovanni. "But with all the comments and things that have happened, I think it is too much. It should have been handled better."

Bob

If you have fire fox, can get the BugmeNot extention...

Bob

Quite an amusing story though that, worth some karma, but you being karma free...