This sounds a bit more nuanced and professional than what you first posted. BTW it's hardly asking a "simple question" when the last thing you say is this conclusory statement:
"3) Should we just get rid of the honest effort rule since it clearly can be abused?"
...implying that the earlier case was an example of abuse (without supporting the limp accusation or waiting for the feedback that, you admit here, you were in great need of).
I understand not wanting "people signing up for stuff they don't really intend to go all out for as it takes spots away from others." If that's your main criteria, how is Akela Jones even in the same ballpark as this conversation. She clearly didn't just sign up for the pentathlon, when she was doing so well before her mishap!