Rower 'threatened' during race
August 24, 2004
By Rupert Guinness
THE rower at the centre of the no-row scandal last night told how she was threatened by her teammates.
Controversial ... Robbins collapses during the race / Colleen Petch
"I had some pretty hard words thrown at me. I had some pretty tough things to take. I haven't really experienced anything like that before," Sally Robbins said.
She said one furious teammate threatened to throw her overboard. "I didn't say anything because I didn't know what to say. I was stunned myself," she said.
Her controversial capitulation 600m from the finishing line has split the country and experts alike. The Daily Telegraph has also learned that she has done the same thing before - two years ago at the world championships in Spain.
Then, Robbins was in the Australian women's quad scull that led the final when she imploded and the crew came in fourth.
Criticism was led last night by former Olympic silver medallist rower Rachael Taylor.
"What happened on Sunday and previously in 2002 is no different that one of our Australian swimmers stopping swimming mid race in their Olympic relay final," she said.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Sally Robbins quitting on Sunday was a repeat of complete mental weakness, not physical exhaustion."
"They were leading the race [in Spain], as close to having it in the bag as you could get with 500m to go Sally did a similar thing ... stopped rowing."
Yesterday, amid shocking scenes, Robbins was barracked by her teammates as she headed off for interviews. Catcalls could be heard including: "Tell the truth Sally, don't lie." (Team in hot water)
Robbins was supported by Rowing Australia president Pat McNamara and another Olympic rowing medallist Peter Murphy.
"It's unfair to dump on her. I'd just ask that Australians try and understand what she may be going through," Mr McNamara said.
He also raised speculation that other heads may roll.
"One of the coaches told me that people knew she was a girl that had to be managed.
"People including the coach [Haral Jahrling] put her in the six seat because she's the strongest girl in the crew knowing that [history].
"If you want to give a crew instructions to burst every bloody artery and go for it and you have someone in a critical seat position, there's a risk."
After the incident in Spain, Robbins received counselling. She will undergo more when she returns from Athens to her Perth home.
Talking to Channel 9 last night, Ms Taylor added: "Sally did put in some dodgy strokes.
"The three girls in that race were absolutely gutted. It is devastating it has happened again.
"Those girls over there [in Athens] are not nasty girls.
It is an absolute tragedy for everyone involved.
The Daily Telegraph
