By this hour (2pm), most row2k readers will know that Xeno Muller dramatically rowed away from the starting line just minutes before the first final at the US trials this morning to announce his retirement from rowing. The story may not end there, however; by mid-afternoon, Muller was publicly discussing racing the double sculls if the event goes to a trial in late June.
Reports on the shore this morning had Muller warming up in his lane 15 minutes before any of the other single scullers, and eventually rowing to the start to announce to officials and fellow competitors that he has decided not to race, telling them "I am a changed man--this isn't for me.” The other scullers encouraged Muller to compete, but Muller begged off, and began to row down the outside of the course away from the starting line, back to the dock.
A USRowing official caught up to Muller to make sure he knew the implications of withdrawal – in the trials best-of-three format, there would be no second chance if he did not start in the first final, and place at least in the top three.
Muller is reported to have explained at length what he was feeling and thinking, commenting that “I am a psychologically changed person,” and that he wanted to be a coach.
Upon reaching the shore, citing family and financial concerns, concerns for his safety in Europe, being unnerved upon watching recent news stories, and a desire to “start the next part of my life,” Muller declared his retirement from rowing.
Muller’s decision seemed final when he told an AP reporter at the course: "Today it's clear. Now, Xeno Muller, as the competitor, the guy who pulls on the oars, is done. This is it."
However, by early afternoon, Muller was heard on ABC Radio discussing competing in the possible US doubles trials in late June. A doubles trial will take place only if the winner of the event in the second National Selection Regatta, the crew of Aquil Abdullah and Henry Nuzum, fail to place in the top four at the World Cup regatta in Munich next weekend. If they do place in the top four, they will be named the US Olympic double.
The episode comes after several months of activity to get Muller’s application for United States citizenship, an effort that included letters to senators, the governor of California, and the President of the United States.
This is the second time Muller has rowed away from the starting line to announce his retirement; in 2002, he rowed away from the starting line at the Swiss National Championships, noting that he was not psychologically prepared, and announced his retirement from rowing. Muller resumed training last year at his home in Newport Beach, California, and competed in and won the USRowing National Selection Regatta last month, making him eligible to compete in the trials.
The subsequent Xeno-less final was the heater of the day, with Conal Groom blasting off to an open water lead, only to have it evaporate in the final 350 meters of the race as Adam Holland rowed through to take the first final by 0.25 seconds. Holland, Groom, and third place finisher Ken Jurkowski will face off again tomorrow morning. If Holland repeats, he will go to Lucerne to try to qualify for the Olympics; if one of the other two scullers wins tomorrow, the event will go to a third, two-boat final on Sunday.
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