Ryan Cochrane loses spot in 400m freestyle at London Olympics

Not so fast, Ryan Cochrane. The 23-year-old Canadian swimmer who thought he earned a spot in the men's 400-metre freestyle final after South Korea's Park Tae-Hwan was disqualified for a false start, will not be swimming in the final after all. The South Korean swimming federation's appeal on behalf of Park was successful and the defending Olympic champion will take Cochrane's spot.

Park, who came in first, had no idea he left the blocks early. "I don't know what happened," he said following the race. "I need to speak to my coach to find out."

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After the race Cochrane wasn't concerned with how he qualified but more so just that he did, tweeting "Snuck right in that final for tonight! I'm excited to see how it all pans out... anything can happen at the olympics!"

Anything can in fact happen at the Olympics — even an overturned disqualification. The final is scheduled for 2:49 ET which didn't leave FINA, swimming's governing body, much time to deliberate. According to CBC.ca, the process was underway quickly.

The disqualification was overruled after a video review determined Park did not commit the false start.

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Cochrane won his heat with a time of 3:47.29 and felt he could have been even faster in the final. "I knew I had to win my heat to get a lane for tonight" he said. "I know I have a few seconds in me for tonight." Unfortunately, we'll never know.

Swimming Canada officials weren't saying anything about the decision Saturday afternoon but will hold a news conference the start of the evening session.

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