SEC Officiating is so bad

that the swimming officials are getting into it. At least the computers.

SIX SEC Swimming teams had their relay teams disqualified for false starts.

In a step-over start the swimmer prepares for the takeover with one foot on the wedge and one foot behind the wedge on the back portion of the block. When initiating the motion, the swimmer brings their foot onto the front edge of the block with their toes. At no point is there full contact with the foot on the portion of the block in front of the wedge.

Although it’s just speculation, the belief is that the Relay Judging Platform (RJP) is recording swimmers leaving earlier than they actually are due to position of the foot; most likely the step foot leaving the front of the block an instant before the wedge foot does, or the front foot not registering at the front of the platform.

Because of the controversy, and the fact that six elite college teams were disqualified, the RJPs were turned off at the meet for both individual and relay swims.