"Eric the Eel" became something of an Olympic hero when he swam at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His time of one minute 52.72 seconds in the 100 meters freestyle was the worst in Olympic history.
Eel communication —
"Eric the Eel" became something of an Olympic hero when he swam at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His time of one minute 52.72 seconds in the 100 meters freestyle was the worst in Olympic history.
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Eric Moussambani hails from Equatorial Guinea in west Africa. He replied to an advert on the radio looking for swimmers and was promptly told he was going to the Games despite having never seen an Olympic-sized pool before.
Calm before the storm —
Eric Moussambani hails from Equatorial Guinea in west Africa. He replied to an advert on the radio looking for swimmers and was promptly told he was going to the Games despite having never seen an Olympic-sized pool before.
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His two opponents in the heat were disqualified for false starts. Moussambani, who had learned his technique from the American swim team in the two days before the race, set off on his own as the crowd cheered.
Take off —
His two opponents in the heat were disqualified for false starts. Moussambani, who had learned his technique from the American swim team in the two days before the race, set off on his own as the crowd cheered.
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The reason that Moussambani could swim at Sydney was because the International Olympic Committee gives out a limited number of wild cards to developing nations.
Eric the Eel vs. the pool —
The reason that Moussambani could swim at Sydney was because the International Olympic Committee gives out a limited number of wild cards to developing nations.
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Moussambani struggled but eventually finished the race. It wasn't enough to qualify for the next round but the record books still show that he technically won his one and only Olympic race.
A new Olympic record... —
Moussambani struggled but eventually finished the race. It wasn't enough to qualify for the next round but the record books still show that he technically won his one and only Olympic race.
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Eric's swim became world news and he became something of a hero for his gutsy, if flawed, swim.
Hero worship —
Eric's swim became world news and he became something of a hero for his gutsy, if flawed, swim.
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There was one other swimmer from Equatorial Guinea at Sydney. Paula Barila Bolopa swam in the women's 50 meters freestyle and also came last in a record time of one minute 3.93 seconds. It was twice the previous worst time in the event.
Later that day... —
There was one other swimmer from Equatorial Guinea at Sydney. Paula Barila Bolopa swam in the women's 50 meters freestyle and also came last in a record time of one minute 3.93 seconds. It was twice the previous worst time in the event.
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Since Eric's infamy, the world's press has been on the look for similar anomalies at major championships. One of the best known is Trevor Misipeka from American Samoa, dubbed "Trevor the Tortoise." He was penciled in for the shotputt, but an administrative error meant that he had to compete in the 100 meters sprint, which he did in 14.28 seconds.
Trevor the Tortoise —
Since Eric's infamy, the world's press has been on the look for similar anomalies at major championships. One of the best known is Trevor Misipeka from American Samoa, dubbed "Trevor the Tortoise." He was penciled in for the shotputt, but an administrative error meant that he had to compete in the 100 meters sprint, which he did in 14.28 seconds.
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Despite the IOC keeping a closer eye on its wild cards, London 2012 has had its own "Eric the Eel" moment. Rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger finished in last place in a single sculls repechage, 100 seconds behind his nearest rival. He has acquired his own animal-themed nickname: "The Sculling Sloth."
The new Eel? —
Despite the IOC keeping a closer eye on its wild cards, London 2012 has had its own "Eric the Eel" moment. Rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger finished in last place in a single sculls repechage, 100 seconds behind his nearest rival. He has acquired his own animal-themed nickname: "The Sculling Sloth."
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