Anne Ottenbrite, a Whitby girl, appeared destined for a gold medal in the two-metre breaststroke event in an international swim meet in Leeds, England, this past Sunday (May 8) but her first place finish was wiped out when she was disqualified for using an illegal “dolphin kick” in the event.
Ms. Ottenbrite, a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games last year, captured first place in the 200-metre breaststroke Saturday (May 7) but was disqualified Sunday when referees ruled that her kick was an illegal dolphin kick. This means that her kick ends with her feet breaking the surface.
Ms. Ottenbrite, 16, was also disqualified in the 900-metre medley relay for using the kick.
“We told her to use the very same kick again in the relay,” said Canadian coach Ken McKinnon. “I can’t find anything in the rule book that says her kick is illegal.”
“I’m not going to change my stroke,” she said. “I have never had any hassles before and I’m not going to let this stop me.” Ironically, Ms. Ottenbrite used the kick in her Commonwealth Games medal performance.
