Déjà vu as Mueller Withdraws from US Trials

Xeno Mueller Olympic winner for Switzerland
© FISA

Racing action at the United States Olympic trials was overshadowed when new American citizen, Xeno Mueller withdrew from the final of the men’s single, in a style similar to his withdrawal at the 2002 Swiss Championships.

Mueller won gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games and followed this up with silver in Sydney for his native country, Switzerland, but decided last year to become a United States citizen and compete for the country that has been his home since 1992.

At the 2002 Swiss National Championships Mueller rowed to the start of his race but rowed back to the boat park minutes before the race claiming that he was not psychologically prepared. Today, at the United States trials, Mueller again rowed to the start line for the final of his event withdrawing five minutes before the race was due to start.

As Mueller was backing in to the starting dock, he told the other competitors, “I am a changed man–this isn’t for me.” The other competitors tried to talk him out of withdrawing, but Mueller rowed off. 

US Rowing official, Ted Ryan confirmed with Mueller that he understood the consequences of this action and Mueller replied that he did, telling Ryan he was a psychologically changed person and that he wanted to be a coach now.

Mueller watched the race go by from the shore with the other spectators.  

After the race Mueller told US Rowing; ?There are responsibilities that I carry as an athlete, responsibilities for my family in California. Family, finances, etcetera?I was trying to pull all of that together this year. The recent news on television was depressing. It put the bigger picture into question?I think it hits you when you are most vulnerable. In my case, that’s three or four minutes before the start of the race. I just decided I need to start the next part of my life.?

Mueller had resumed full time training in September 2003 from his home base in California and decided it would be more beneficial for his family to compete for the United States so as to reduce the amount of travelling necessary back to European regattas. Mueller then worked on getting United States citizenship in a shorter than usual amount of time. He sent letters to the Governor of California and to President Bush and was granted citizenship in time for the first round of trials in April.

The withdrawl of Mueller, who came into the final as favourite to win, left the field open to a tight battle between 1996 Olympian Adam Holland and 2000 lightweight Olympian Conal Groom. Holland finished in front in the first race and will go onto a second round of racing tomorrow.

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