Sally Robbins

Sally Robbins (born July 15 1981) is an Australian rower, who was a member of Australia's 2004 Summer Olympics Women's Eight.

Sally Robbins was involved in an infamous incident in the 2004 Olympics final held on August 22. The team was third through the first 1000 metres but had dropped back to fifth with 500 metres remaining, three seconds behind the Romanian crew in first position [ [http://80.83.47.230/n_results_details.fwx?mracenr=126&mrace=FA&mclass=W8+&mdate=22/08/2004&mid_compet=16&cname=2004%20Olympic%20Games%20-%20Athens%20Schinias,%20Greece // World Rowing - Official Website // ] ] . During the final 400 metres Robbins dropped her oar, allowing it to drag in the water, gave up and laid back on teammate Julia Wilson's lap. Australia, consequently, finished last, ten seconds behind the fifth place crew.

Robbins was accused of mental weakness and publicly ridiculed in the Australian media as "Lay-down Sally". The Daily Telegraph reported [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/23/1093246448746.html The Age: Robbins drops oar, team drops bundle] ] :

"In a team sport such as rowing what she did was unforgivable. It appears Robbins committed the greatest crime there is in honest sport: she quit."

Even then Australian Prime Minister John Howard became involved in the row, saying [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200408/s1183932.htm ABC News: Rowers face censure for dumping on Robbins] ] :

"I'm not taking sides but it's always regrettable, it's tough and there's a lot of pressure. It's always a good idea to bind together but look, I wasn't there and I can understand the passion the emotion and the effort that goes into these things and the sense of disappointment people feel."

This was not the first time Robbins had been involved in such an incident. In the women's quad scull at the 2002 World Rowing Championships in Seville Robbins had also dropped her oar, costing Australia certain victory. 2000 Summer Olympics silver medallist Rachael Taylor was quoted as saying [ [http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/articles/2004/08/23/1093246445579.html Sydney Morning Herald: They said they'd throw me off the boat] ] :

"Australia was blitzing the race, leading the entire field all the way. It was as about as sure a thing as you could get to having the world title in the bag, when with approximately 400 metres to go Sally Robbins stopped rowing. The Australian crew dropped back and finished in fourth position. Sally's three teammates were understandably shocked, devastated and inconsolable: not at all dissimilar to the sickening re-enactment I witnessed on Sunday."

In March 2006, Robbins conducted televised media interviews expressed her goal to row for Australia at the 2008 Summer Olympics. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/i-want-to-row-at-beijing-lay-down-sally/2006/03/08/1141701558463.html "I want to row at Beijing games: Lay Down Sally", 8 March 2006, Sydney Morning Herald] ] However, ultimately Robbins did not achieve the qualification times and was omitted from the squad.

In April and May 2007, Robbins' motivational problems were discussed in court by former team members Katie Foulkes (coxswain) and Kyeema Doyle when they were called upon by Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones to give evidence on his behalf in response to a defamation suit brought by Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lay-down-sally-it-wasnt-a-first/2007/04/30/1177788029294.html "Robbins lay down 'at least seven times'", Leonie Lamont, 30 April 2007, Sydney Morning Herald] ] [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/cox-recalls-olympics-norow-fiasco/2007/04/30/1177788056141.html "Cox recalls Olympics no-row fiasco", Leonie Lamont, 1 May 2007, Sydney Morning Herald] ]

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the women's rowing eight said the "Lay Down Sally" affair was behind them and they were ready to focus on the event. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24126406-5014104,00.html 'Lay Down Sally' is water under the bridge] , Site of [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/beijing_olympics Beijing Now] ]

On Rowing Australia athletes profile page, Robbins personal motto is recorded as "Never surrender the dream". [ [http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/athletes.asp?cmd=Details&ID=76 Rowing Australia Profile: Sally Robbins] ]

Robbins currently coaches rowing at the Methodist Ladies' College, Perth. [http://www.mlc.wa.edu.au/upload/pages/306/ratings-2008-issue-1.pdf MLC Rowing Newsletter]

References