Alright, I'm having an internal debate about this one. Say someone at a recent Ironman race (with a 2 loop swim), had a really bad first loop, came out and realized that they are not going to make cut off if they get back in the water, and they will most likely be pulled out of the race, decides to just go straight to the bike and at least get a chance to do the rest of the course; after all, they have been training for this race for many months. This person knows perfectly well that he will get a DNF because of not doing the 2nd loop (DQ in reality), and he's not aiming for the podium or a PR, he just wants to have a chance at doing the rest of the course.

Would you be OK with this, as long as they bail out of the course before the finishing chute?

What if they decide to go into the chute, take the medal, take the finisher's hat? Does your opinion change?

Note: Person was DQed a few minutes after finishing the race.