Case Study: Simon is an Australian rower. For over a decade he represented Australia and won multiple World Championships. After the last Olympic Games he took a break from training. One year ago he decided to make a comeback, but this time he wouldn't relocate to the National Rowing Centre (NRC) in Canberra (which was where he'd been based prior to his recent break). Things felt different now. He had a young family and a stable job and with years of training behind him he knew exactly what needed to be done to regain selection. The NRC was run by the Men's Rowing Head Coach, Harvey. Harvey had been a successful athlete in the past. He had won two Olympic Gold Medals. Everyone was in awe of his achievements, but as a coach he was intimidating and controlling. He ran a demanding training regime and always watched over his athletes to make sure they did the work that he expected. No one dared to question him. It wasn't worth it. He didn't listen and there would often be serious negative consequences if they did. If an athlete questioned Harvey's training program, especially in front of the group, they could be ignored for weeks. If he really had it in for you, he would find a reason to not select you for the team. Andrew is one of the rowers training at the NRC. He relocated to the NRC after the last Olympic Games and was now in his fourth year training under Harvey. Despite Andrew's best intentions to continue studying Commerce/Law at ANU there was no time left once training was complete. Although Andrew established bonds with a couple of athletes at the NRC, without the support of his close friends and family he often felt isolated and alone. Sometimes Andrew wondered if the sacrifices he was making for his sport were worth it. Despite the challenges, Andrew kept training hard. Like most of the athletes at the NRC, he believed that if he followed Harvey's training program he would make the Australian Olympic Team, and win. Today Simon felt excited. He was in the best physical shape of his rowing career and was mentally ready to race. With only 100 days to go, the countdown was on for the start of the Olympic Games. It was also the first day of the Olympic Selection Regatta. For one week, the rowers would compete for a place in the Australian Olympic Rowing Team. Simon was the only athlete outside of the NRC to be invited to the Olympic Selection Regatta. As much as Harvey disapproved of Simon's decision to train outside of the NRC, he had no choice but to invite him. Simon was the most experienced athlete in the group and had recently won the National Championships. The conditions were perfect for the start of racing. The flags that lined the 2000m rowing course were still and the water was like glass. As Simon walked his boat to the pontoon for the first race he could see Harvey approaching him. "Good luck Harvey said with a sneer. Simon was a seasoned competitor, but Harvey's comment unnerved him. He knew he would be up against Harvey to make the team and would have to win every race to earn a place in the team. Harvey was one of three selectors responsible for selecting the Australian Olympic Rowing Team. The other selectors included Jenny, the Women's Head Coach, and Liz, the Independent Chair of Selectors. The purpose of having an Independent Chair was to provide an outside perspective and keep the coaches honest," but in their first meeting Liz quickly realized it would be difficult to do the job well. "We are the ones being paid to coach! Not you!" Harvey taunted. "We train these athletes every day and know them better than anyone!" he added. "You do know that Harvey is a two-time Olympic Champion, don't you?" Jenny clarified, glaring disdainfully at Liz. But as the regatta progressed, Harvey became more and more frustrated and angry. He couldn't understand why his NRC athletes, especially Andrew, weren't performing well. Andrew was Harvey's favourite. He did everything Harvey asked and never complained. After ten races over six days, Simon was the top ranked athlete. Every time he combined with another athlete, he won convincingly. There was something electric about his racing this season - an intensity that the other athletes, particularly Andrew, lacked. Then, with only one race to go, Andrew in combination with other athletes from the NRC, won his first race. Harvey was ecstatic. He called the other selectors for an urgent meeting. Harvey was adamant that the crew that just won should be selected. Jenny quickly fell in line supporting Harvey's decision. No matter what Liz said to draw the coach's attention to prior results and due process, Harvey refused to back down. When the Australian Olympic Team was officially announced, Simon's name wasn't called out. He was utterly devastated. There was nothing more he could have done. He had raced better than he had ever raced before, and yet he didn't make the team. His dream of competing at his third Olympic Games with his young family cheering him on seemed to slip away. Assignment Questions: 1. Identify the biases or sources of error in the Harvey's decision-making in this scenario. (300 words) 2. How are self-serving attributions affecting Harvey's assessment of rowers and their performance? (300 words) 3. To what extent would you say that Harvey made a rational decision not to select Simon? (400 words)