Well, personally, I think the sport kinda needs to lighten up Francis. He’s a competitor who lost his temper but heck, it’s not like he attacked anyone or assaulted an umpire. So he kicked over something......
Kick him off the team, suspend him, whatever....but penalize the whole team? Really? Lighten up Francis.
THe thing is == since the USA got zero points in this tournament, so that opens the door for other teams from the Americas to get into the Olympic tournament.
There’s what, 200 countries in the IOC? Only a small set get to compete in team sport events — it depends on how they do in other international competitions whether they get an invitation or not.
“He’s a competitor who lost his temper but heck, it’s not like he attacked anyone or assaulted an umpire.”
International sports are well maintained with rules about the integrity of the sports. The team and McDowald were briefed prior to the competitions to be on the American team even before they began. Many of the competitors compete at world class level and are expected to behave in a manner that represents their team and their sport in a respectful manner.
The expected behavior of the competitors is spelled out in the USA fencing code. Two of those rules are:
Engaging in any activity that contravenes the stricter laws of the United States of America (USA) or the host country in which the activity is taking place.
Any other act, conduct or omission not provided in this code which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Fencing, the USA or sport of fencing, or which violates a rule
established by the USOC, FIE, International Olympic Committee (IOC) or other governing body.
The childish thug action accomplished by McDowald was well outside these requirements, ones he knew were in place. He tore up part of the stage and according to the article slapped the offered hand of the competitor.
The US was lucky only the epee team was DQ’d leaving the foil and sabre teams definitely still available for the Olympics without the loss of the points at this tournament.
wy69