Quance Appeal Denied; Beard Scores Big Win

PHOENIX —  Olympic swimmer Kristine Quance’s request for an appeal of her controversial disqualification in the 400-meter individual medley was denied Friday by U.S. Swimming.

Quance, who is from Northridge and attends USC, had asked for an investigation of her disqualification at the Olympic trials in March, which was made because of a technique infraction on a turn. Her attorney received a three-page fax from U.S. Swimming executive director Ray Essick stating the organization was standing by its initial judgment.

Kristine’s parents, Dave and Sandy, here for the Speedo Invitational, will make a decision regarding their next move in several days. They could appeal to the USOC, file a lawsuit in federal court or possibly seek arbitration, the Quances said.

Kristine Quance held a news conference late Friday night, and was supported by Olympic stars Tom Jager and Janet Evans.

U.S. Swimming later issued a statement, saying the same disqualification would have been made under FINA rules, and that protests relevant to “judgment decisions” are considered only by the meet referee.

A choked-up Quance said she was pursuing it so this would never happen to another athlete.

“A lot of people have asked me, ‘Is this selfish?’ ” she said. “It isn’t.”

Quance earlier withdrew here because of a pulled muscle in her right shoulder after she qualified for the finals in two events, the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. She will resume practicing next week.

In the finals, the most impressive performance was by 14-year-old Amanda Beard of Irvine, who defeated world record holder Penny Heyns of South Africa in the 100 breaststroke. More astonishing was Beard’s time of 1:09.25. Only two other American women have recorded faster times--Anita Nall and Tracy McFarlane.

Heyns, who finished second in 1:10.76, believes Beard will be her main competition in Atlanta.

Beard said, “She can definitely go faster and I hope I can go faster.”