Controversy hits Olympics as swimmer goes missing and rival is disqualified all in one event

The 2024 Paris Olympics haven't been without their fair share of dramatic events, and it seems as though a lot of it is affecting the swimmers - with one being missing from the competition.

The Olympics, which kicked off with the opening ceremony on 26 July and will keep inspiring viewers until 11 August, has seen Team GB land six gold medals at the time of writing.

China are currently leading the way with nine gold medals under their belt.

Focusing less on teams and more on disciplines, it seems that swimming has been surrounded by controversy at the iconic games.

It all began when Team GB swimmer Luke Greenbank was disqualified due to the fine print of the rules.

It was crushing to watch as he'd swam the fastest in the heats - which led many, including himself, to believe he'd secured a spot in the semi-finals.

The sport of swimming has been shrouded in controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

He was shown to look up at the screen immediately after his presumed win, but shortly after had his head in his hands.

It turned out that the 26-year-old swim star had held his head underwater beyond the 15m mark at the start, which is strictly prohibited.

Crushingly, he was disqualified once the result was confirmed and his dreams of earning gold were snatched away.

Following his defeat, he said: "I don't know what to say, absolutely gutted.

"It's really annoying, I feel like I'm on good form."

But the controversy surrounding swimming doesn't stop there.

Luke Greenbank was devastated to learn of his mistake. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Xu Jiayu, an Olympic swimmer for China, was the No. 6 seed with an entry time of 1:55.37 - but shockingly didn't turn up to the men’s 200m backstroke semi-finals.

The talented Jiayu had previously pocketed a silver medal at the Paris Games on 29 July in the 100m backstroke, earning an impressive time of 52.32.

He then failed to show up for his heat two swim.

Xu Jiayu didn't show up for heat two of the swimming competition, despite placing silver in the men's 100m backstroke. (FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images)

Jiayu's Olympics profile shares that the reason he began to train in swimming is due to "His mother [being a swimmer and she would take him to the pool."

It also lists his ambition as being to 'win gold at Paris 2024'.

The men’s 200-meter butterfly, women’s 1500-meter freestyle, men’s 200-meter breaststroke and men’s 100-meter freestyle finals all took place on 31 July, with further swimming competitions taking place until 4 August.

For those with a love of the pool, fear not - there are other disciplines facing bouts of drama, too.

Tyla has reached out to the Chinese Olympic Committee for comment.