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Matthew Pinsent: 'Boat race swimmer could have died' University Boat Race: Trenton Oldfield in 'class protest'
(about 3 hours later)
A protester who disrupted the University Boat Race by swimming into the Thames could have been killed, according to Sir Matthew Pinsent. A protester has said he disrupted the University Boat Race by swimming into the Thames because it was a symbol of class division in a time of cuts.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew, who was assistant umpire of the race, made a statement to police after the incident, a court has heard. Trenton Oldfield, 36, who denies causing a public nuisance, said Oxford and Cambridge graduates make up "70% of government".
Trenton Oldfield, who admits swimming into the path of the crews in April, is on trial at Isleworth Crown Court. Earlier, Isleworth Crown Court heard he "could have been killed".
The 36-year-old, from east London, denies causing a public nuisance. Olympic rower Sir Matthew Pinsent, who was assistant umpire of the race, told police he was "alarmed" by the swimmer.
The court heard that Sir Matthew was immediately behind the university crews on a launch with umpire John Garrett. Mr Oldfield, 36, of Myrdle Street, east London, admits swimming in front of the crews.
Behind them were another 25 motorised boats with officials, police, sponsors and camera crews. 'Symbolic gesture'
Sir Matthew's statement, read by prosecution barrister Louis Mably, said: "If he had been hit by an oar or boat he could have cracked his skull, his neck, fallen unconscious and drowned." He said he decided to demonstrate after hearing about the government's public spending cuts, which he said were "worse than in Dickens' time".
Swimmer caused 'alarm' On targeting the race, he said: "It's a symbol of a lot of issues in Britain around class, 70% of government pushing through very significant cuts are Oxford or Cambridge graduates.
The court heard the veteran rower spotted what he believed was a balloon about halfway through the race and he informed Mr Garrett. "It was a symbolic gesture to these kind of issues."
It was only when they got closer Sir Matthew said he was "alarmed" to realise that it was a person and "worried about the safety of the swimmer". He added: "Lots of people thought it made it the most exciting boat race ever."
Sir Matthew's statement said: "The risk for the swimmer was great, he could have been killed if he had been struck by an oar or the rigging which is metal. Earlier the jury heard from a statement Sir Matthew gave to the police following the incident.
"The incident caused me alarm as one of my primary roles is the safety of the competitors and public at large." The four-time Olympic gold-medallist was immediately behind the two eight-man university crews on a launch with umpire John Garrett and was followed by 25 motorised boats with officials, police, sponsors and camera crews.
Mr Mably said the man swam into the path of the two eight-man teams close to Chiswick Eyot as the competition heated up. He spotted what he believed was a balloon about halfway through the race and informed Mr Garrett, but when they got closer Sir Matthew was "alarmed" to realise that it was a person and he was "worried about the safety of the swimmer".
"By this time both crews were rowing flat out and were neck and neck. His statement, read by prosecution barrister Louis Mably, said: "The risk for the swimmer was great, he could have been killed if he had been struck by an oar or the rigging which is metal.
"The race came to an unexpected and sudden halt, all in front of the tens of thousands of people at the side of the river who wanted to watch the race," he added. 'Cracked his skull'
The real risk to the swimmer led the umpire to halt the race. "If he had been hit by an oar or boat he could have cracked his skull, his neck, fallen unconscious and drowned."
Mr Mably said: "What Mr Oldfield had done was in effect to force someone else to take responsibility to stop him from serious injury. Mr Mably said the man swam into the path of the teams near Chiswick Eyot.
"One person decided for his own reasons to disrupt a national sporting event and in the process the enjoyment of the spectating public." "By this time both crews were rowing flat out and were neck and neck."
The incident caused mental and physical stress to the participants who had to then reposition their vessels and begin the race again. The risk to the swimmer led the umpire to bring the race to "an unexpected and sudden halt".
The footage of the race, which was eventually won by Cambridge, was shown to the jury. Mr Mably said: "What Mr Oldfield had done was in effect to force someone else to take responsibility to stop him from serious injury."
The prosecutor asked the jury to decide whether the incident was not a public nuisance, or "if the enjoyment of the public is at the mercy of any crank, oddball or self-righteous protester who decides that their views were more important than anybody else's." But Mr Oldfield dismissed the idea that his life was in danger, adding that he had dodged boats, surf boards and rocks while growing up in Australia.
"It's not called wild swimming, just swimming," he said.
Footage of the race, which was eventually won by Cambridge, was shown to the jury.
The prosecutor asked the jury to decide whether the incident was not a public nuisance, or "if the enjoyment of the public is at the mercy of any crank, oddball or self-righteous protester who decides that their views were more important than anybody else's".
The trial continues.The trial continues.