MacLean should be DQ'd.

Have to say I agree. Watched it slow a few times. And then she tangles up shortly after too, cutting off Simpson, moving back out.

yea I caught this too. Also was struck by the irony that she got into the final on a (imo) questionable protest (I don't really think mehra obstructed her very much if at all).

Osika probably should protest and deserves to go, but it would be a bummer to see it taken away from Maclean. Also a bummer to see Osika just miss, so who knows

Maclean has a history of getting physical in races her teammates win.

It looked like Osika tried to squeeze between Maclean and Mcgee and lost her balance. Maybe she was also clipped in the back from Simpson? It was hard to tell.

its impossible to tell, we need more camera angles.

I thought Simpson was the cause of it all. She shoved an off-balance Osika, then ran up the back of MaClean twice. MaClean cut in quick, but not egregiously and never put her elbows out to push anyone like Jenny did.

ehehh wrote:

I thought Simpson was the cause of it all. She shoved an off-balance Osika, then ran up the back of MaClean twice. MaClean cut in quick, but not egregiously and never put her elbows out to push anyone like Jenny did.

It’s all there too see in the head-on shot down the first straight. Keep in mind McMean started in 13 position I.e. way to the outside. By the first head on shot, she was already in position 9 having cut off 4 other girls. She proceeds to squeeze into Osika and Simpson from 30 m through 50m, causing Hiltz to bump into Purrier

There was a small repeat incident with some flailing involving McLane, Simpson and Osika at 90m

+1. Ironic indeed that she ended up getting an Olympic spot.

Osika needs to protest wrote:

Barrelled into Osika and nearly took her teammate Purrier out in the process. Especially after she whined her way to get into the final.

MaClean didn’t “barrel” into Osika by any means.

MaClean definitely cut in faster than the rest of the field, but she gave herself space to do it. Osika’s reaction was more dramatic than the contact itself.

It looks like what happened is: MaClean cuts in, settles on the left shoulder of Osika, who also has Simpson elbowing for position behind her. Osika is sandwiched between Jenny and MaClean on her right side, so she reacts and pivots left, making contact with Hiltz. They have nowhere to go but into the oval, where Perrier ends up. Two seconds later, everyone’s in position.

Chippy start, to be expected in this race where two spots are up for grabs. I don’t think MaClean really did anything worth a penalty.

Wow!. That's a bit tough. Some compassion would be nice.

excuse me, *right* shoulder of Osika, not left

A little out of control but no call back by the starter. I've seen worse

LMAO, no. I’d give Osika the hard DQ. Rather than give up ground to Maclean (who she couldn’t beat and push off her line), Osika stubbornly tried to force her way through on the inside and came in totally out of control and initiated all the contact. Osika panicked about losing position and barreled into the pack.

The more I look at the replay, Jenny Simpson is really the most aggressive person in the pack. That's not to say she or anyone else should be DQ'd. It's a championship 1,500m -- it would be weird if this start wasn't chippy.

Agree with this analysis. You can use the settings wheel to watch in slow motion. MaClean did cut in hard, but Osika ultimately overreacted instead of settling in behind her, and then cut in way harder to her left than MaClean had in the first place.

You should watch it a few more times because Osika started it all but cutting straight across the entire field to get to the inside. Everyone else reacted by holding up their elbows as they should!!

No Dq. 1st 100 meters.

From what I saw it was Osika and Simpson.

Osika needs to protest wrote:

Barrelled into Osika and nearly took her teammate Purrier out in the process. Especially after she whined her way to get into the final.

as we can tell from all the replies, the real problem was a whole slew of finalists that had a realistic shot at top 3, so they all went gangbusters for the rail and of course things would get crazy. I think its a combination of people. Thats why you cant see one person starting the whole thing. They were crazy aggressive.