FLASHBACK: The Moment Ian Thorpe Divided Australia

Today we are going back to a defining moment in Australia’s sporting history: The Olympic swimming selection trials of 2004.

The nation held its breath when Ian Thorpe slipped on the blocks in the 400m qualifying heats for Athens 2004, earning an automatic disqualification from the stickler official.

Thorpe claimed a noise caused him to jump. the blocks. What was that noise? Was it the sound of sponsorship dollars going down the drain? Or perhaps the NRL's Phantom Siren diversifying into new sports?

Anyway, his appeal was unsuccessful - and our dreams of back-to-back Gold in the 400m were dashed. That is, until teammate Craig Stevens bowed to public pressure, stepping aside to give his place to Thorpe and pocketing $130k for the "tell all" interview rights.

Was this a Gallipoli-like sacrifice, or just another small step towards the general malaise of Australian society?

Audio production courtesy of Tim ‘T-Dog’ Eldridge. Graphic design courtesy of Julia Edwards.

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