Drama surrounds men's 200-meter backstroke at Olympics as one swimmer is disqualified, another goes missing

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Drama surrounded the men’s 200-meter backstroke at Paris La Defense Arena Wednesday when one swimmer was disqualified and another was missing from the event. 

Great Britain’s Luke Greenbank touched the wall after his 200 meters, and it appeared he was going to head to the semifinals after defeating Germany’s Lukas Maertens in the fourth heat. 

However, video replay led to Greenbank’s disqualification after he was underwater beyond the 15-meter mark at the start of the race, which is not allowed. 

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Luke Greenbank of Great Britain prepares to compete in the men's 200-meter backstroke heats on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Greenbank, a medal favorite, couldn’t believe he wouldn’t be able to keep competing in the event once video replay confirmed the result in the pool. 

Legendary Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe explained what happened during the Nine Network broadcast. 

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"That is past that mark. There is no need for that in a 200-meter," Thorpe said while looking at the replay of Greenbank. "Perhaps in a 50-meter race you might take the chance, but in a 200-meter, there is no benefit."

Greenbank spoke to reporters after the disappointment of being disqualified. 

"I don’t know what to say, absolutely gutted," he said. "It’s really annoying, I feel like I’m in good form."

Xu Jiayu of China celebrates after winning silver in the men’s 100-meter backstroke final on day three of the Olympic Games