NC State swimmer Owen Lloyd slams officials for ‘ruining the sport’ after disqualification controversy
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The North Carolina State swimmer who was stripped of a conference title over the weekend after celebrating with a teammate called out “grumpy old officials” on social media for “ruining the sport of swimming.”
Senior Owen Lloyd, who finished the 1650-yard freestyle competition in just 14.37.04 on Saturday at the ACC Swimming and Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C., posted a message Tuesday on Instagram in the wake of recent events, with one slide featuring two swimmers on the second- and third-place platforms shaking hands where the victor should stand.
The text “grumpy old officials” was written over one swimmer as “bonehead discretionary rules” was written across the other, while the blank space was reserved for “Ruining the sport of swimming.”
Lloyd, 22, shared a lengthier message in the final slide of Tuesday’s post that echoed comments made by Kyle Sockwell of Swimming X.
“Don’t stop celebrating. Embrace your emotions and let them flow. Sports are beautiful; the hard work, dedication, and commitment that goes into a single meet, game, match, race is oftentimes hidden. Swimming is no different and yet it is one of the only sports where we are sometimes told to bottle this up and not show how much a moment means to someone. If we want this sport that means so much to us to grow and expand beyond the limitations that are placed on it we should not inhibit these feelings. Let. Swimming. Be. Fun,” the post read.
Lloyd received supportive messages from his Instagram followers, with one user commenting: “Say it again for the officials in the back.”
Lloyd celebrated with Wolfpack teammate Ross Dant, who claimed the second spot, after both had completed the race.
Lloyd fell into Dant’s lane over the barrier as the competition continued, resulting in a disqualification from officials for “interfering with another swimmer.”
Dant defended his teammate in a post-race interview, stating: “I think that’s the dumbest rule in swimming, Owen beat me fair and square.”
The NCAA rulebook states that “any competitor who interferes with another swimmer during a race shall be disqualified from that race, subject to the discretion of the referee.”
Further, “a swimmer who changes lanes during a heat shall be disqualified,” per the guidelines.
Lloyd, who was visibly upset in the aftermath, said Saturday that despite being “angry” and “confused” over what transpired, he’s “not defeated.”
“They can take away the points and the official win but they can never take away my drive, my passion, and my love for my team,” Lloyd wrote in an Instagram post.
“There are lessons to be learned and I’m sure I will find the silver linings in this experience but I know that I am not finished and that all of this just added more fuel to the fire. Thankful for everyone who supported, cheered, booed, and that have helped me get to where I am, we ain’t done yet.”
The ACC declined further comment on the decision.
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