Another swimming controversy is brewing at the Paris Olympics.
British swimmer Honey Osrin finished second in the semifinal of the women’s 200-meter backstroke Thursday with a time of 2:07.84 — qualifying for Friday’s final.
However, since-deleted footage from the race that surfaced on social media showed Osrin swimming past the 15-meter mark underwater, which is grounds for disqualification.
But the judges never called it.
Swimmers must breach the water before the 15-meter mark at the start of the race and after each turn. A red marker on the lane rope is used to judge the competition.
Inside Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France, where swimming events are being held, overhead and underwater cameras are used to monitor possible infractions, according to the Olympics’ official website.
Many on social media weren’t happy with the judges.
“Why do we even have 15-meter judges if they’re going to let something this blatant slide? Honey Osrin is the third seed for the final in this. She should be DQ’d,” Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde wrote Thursday on X.
“How did Lane 3 not get DQ’d here?” University of Tampa assistant swim coach Phil Murray wrote on X, alongside a clip of the event.
Others called out the “blatant” infraction and expressed, “Honey Osrin just got super lucky if they didn’t call 15 meters.”
Osrin, a first-time Olympian, finished behind defending champion Kaylee McKeown of Australia.
The 21-year-old Osrin recorded a personal best in the women’s 200-meter backstroke semifinal at 2:07.84.
She lowered her Olympic qualifying time of 2:08.37 at the British Championships in April.
This hasn’t been the only swimming controversy at the Paris Games.
British swimmer Luke Greenbank was disqualified in the heats of the men’s 200-meter backstroke for going past the 15-meter mark on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old was underwater beyond the 15-meter mark at the start of the race, a video replay revealed.
Osrin will compete in the women’s 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.
