Tomomi Morita
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Medal record | |||
---|---|---|---|
Men's Swimming | |||
Competitor for Japan | |||
Olympic Games | |||
Bronze | 2004 Athens | 100m Backstroke | |
Bronze | 2004 Athens | 4x100m Medley | |
Pan Pacific Championships | |||
Silver | 2006 Victoria | 4x100m Medley | |
Bronze | 2006 Victoria | 100m Backstroke | |
Bronze | 2006 Victoria | 200m Backstroke |
Tomomi Morita (森田 智己 Morita Tomomi?, born August 22, 1984 in Miyagi) is a backstroke swimmer from Japan, who represented his native country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. There he won two bronze medals, in the 100 m backstroke and as a member of the 4x100 m medley relay team.
Dolphin Kick Incident
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Aaron Peirsol of the United States accused Morita of using an illegal dolphin kick in his qualifying round of the 200 meter backstroke. During the course of the final in that event, Peirsol was disqualified by the a judge for allegedly using an illegal dolphin kick. The disqualification was later overturned as there were discrepancies in the judges handling of the incident. One of Peirsol's greatest rivals, Markus Rogan of Austria (who would finish second to Peirsol), was seen following the elimination recommending that Peirsol protest the disqualification on the grounds that it was unfair. In one of the finest acts of sportsmanship seen at the games, Rogan would go on to say that he would not have been able to accept the gold with the knowledge that Peirsol had been unfairly disqualified. Also suggesting that the judge was acting only out of anger for Peirsol's complaints against Morita.