[1] During the final 400 metres Robbins, who was physically exhausted, dropped her oar, allowing it to drag in the water, gave up and lay back on teammate Julia Wilson's lap.

Robbins was accused of mental weakness and publicly ridiculed in the Australian media as "Lay-down Sally", a play on the Eric Clapton song of the same name.

Even then Australian Prime Minister John Howard became involved in the row, saying:[3] "I'm not taking sides but it's always regrettable, it's tough and there's a lot of pressure.

[6] In April and May 2007, Robbins' motivational problems were discussed in court by former team members Katie Foulkes (coxswain) and Kyeema Doyle when they were called upon by Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones to give evidence on his behalf in response to a defamation suit brought by Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates.

[7][8] Without any apparent sense of irony, on Rowing Australia athletes profile page, Robbins personal motto is recorded as "Never surrender the dream".