THE OLYMPICS: Official Thread of All-Things Games! (Sportsmanship Required)- Page 11

[clever name]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:30am

It's China. If the government wants you to be 16..so be it.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:30am

The government controls athletes and passports!

[christhefish]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:32am

I loved Bella in respone to Bob Coastas asking him about the ages. You could tell Bella was about to flip the table.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:32am

Well, just remember, it doesn't matter how old they are because they are slaves of the state. They're "chosen" while in pre-school and their lives are controlled from that day forward. What kind of existence is that?

At least the American girls are there because they WANT to be.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:42am

I agree that the Chinese women were very good, but hearing that they are put into gymnastics at a young age, and they are taken away from their families, makes me sick. But then, the way the Chinese value women, this sadly is one of the only ways these girls will ever be valued. Outside of gymnastics, they would have nothing. And that's sad.

And I totally agree that the ages of them should be investigated. I thought the one girl only looked like she was 10.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:44am

The IOC will do nothing.

The cowards gave the games to China in the first place.

This is been one big propaganda show for the government.

Some of the Chinese athletes look terrified. I almost feel sorry for them. They are amazing, gifted individuals, but they are, to a great extent, property of the government.

I feel towards China the way many foreigners feel about America - I love its people, but hate its government.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:44am

Well, I think it's an outrage and can't believe no one's saying anything at the top. Our girls are competing with toddlers! Not fair!!!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:48am

China faked part of the opening ceremonies, replaced a child singer with a "cuter" version, and has suppressed the fact that the "America tourist" killed in Beijing was actually there for the Olympics.

Forging documents to "prove" the age of these girls is childsplay.

For the girls sake, I am glad they won, because I fear the ramifications had they lost. (I have heard stories of suicides by teens and young adults who do not get into the best schools, and the pressure placed on some of the kids there in normal, day-to-day activities is frightening).

[gettinhep]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 12:48am

Does China get another medal for 'Best Tank in the Street'?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:24am

Or "Most Impressive Use of Child Labor"?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:43am

Who's going to investigate them? The IOC? They won't touch that with a ten foot pole. All they'd do is look at the documents, verify that they are "authentic" (which they are, since they came from the government), and then smile and send them on their way.

The international press can't even access information on the internet from China (the government is censoring internet access, even though they claimed they wouldn't), so they can't even scour around that way.

The whole thing stinks.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:48am

I feel so late here since the broadcast just ended here a short while ago. SO sad to see the US Gymnasts fall apart but we won the silver and that's nothing to sneeze at.

That men's relay was outta control fabulous! Might not have had the "Drama" of the relay last night (the other night?) but I just sat here jaw dropped as they blew the record "out of the water".

Well, hitting the couch for a bit of the overnight coverage.

Edit: Alicia Sacramoni (sp?) is still upset during the medal ceremony. She didn't smile once that you could see. Not when she got the medal and flowers or when she shook hands with the other athletes.

And I wish Mary Carrilo could co-host in prime time. I love her.

Updated On: 8/13/08 at 01:48 AM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:20am

Yeah, at least the U.S. team did get the silver medal. And like I said, if the Chinese women did not have gymnastics or this victory, they would sadly be nothing over in China. And because of that, it sort of doesn't surprise me that China would let young girls compete at a level they shouldn't reach for another few years. This is why we have the junior level and senior level.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:29am

US Women's Indoor Volleyball! What an exciting match!

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:29am

Andrea Joyce just interviewed Alicia. She must have mentioned or referenced her mistakes a million times. I sat here thinking, "My God, the girl feels bad enough. Don't rub her face in it." It even carried over a bit into the group interview. Alice lost it a bit as the girls had to keep defending her with the questions being asked of them. It is evident that the girls do not blame her for not getting the gold and seem to be very proud of themselves for getting to the Olympics and getting the silver.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:45am

Even though it is against the rules, I honestly don't think age should be an issue at the Olympic games. I mean, it's to determine who is the best, right?

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:51am

This morning (I think on GMA) a doctor was explaining why there is an age restriction. Having something to do with the wear and tear on such young bodies. Something about the fact that they can do these things when they are really young but the long term affects were not great. And I think they even said that by the time they were in their late teens, they would actually be "losing it". Don't quote me, but it went something like that!

God I am going to be tired every morning until these games are over! I am watching women's volley ball. Venezuela had the USA a little worried. But as of now, the USA is rallying and ahead.

[Q]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 3:02am

If those girls are actually as young as some of you think they are, and they are able to do BETTER than anyone else, I'm stunned beyond speech.

I have serious issues with this entire escapade (the Olympics in China,) and am trying to just look at the individuals. And honestly, if those girls ARE that young, then there is something almost preternatural about what they just did.

[Yawper]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 3:32am

Can Phelps mom be any more proud and supportive? I love watching her emotion when they show her during and after his swims.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:14am

ShbrtAlley44 - The lady who did the Panda report is Mary Carillo, who is a former tennis player (she is a commentator during the major tennis matches). She was also a former tennis partner of John McEnroe. She is a terrific commentator and she is one of the few people who can put John in his place on air, LOL.

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 7:22am

Did anybody watch the Georgia-Russia women's beach volleyball game that just ended? Other than the political overtones surronding the the event, it was an incredible match. Georgia just earned a hard fought win, and likely knocked Russia out of the competition.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:25am

"Even though it is against the rules, I honestly don't think age should be an issue at the Olympic games. I mean, it's to determine who is the best, right?"

I disagree. Why would the Chinese have to lie then. What would be their reason to put in the younger girls unless it benefited them?

I believe that the younger, lighter, smaller girls have an edge over the older, heavier, larger ones. I think that in sports, there are categories to make things more fair and even. Like in boxing, there are weight categories so that the athletes are competing fairly.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:29am

And Q-I agree-I'm stunned. This is not something that is "under cover." It's plain and clear that these girls are at least, maybe 4-6 years younger than the others. I mean, this is blatant, and nothing is done about it.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 10:36am

The Chinese women definitely deserved that win. As the commentators said, even if everyone hit their routines perfectly, the Chinese had higher start values. I know the gymnasts look really young but I also do not believe that a 10 year old is capable of throwing the skills that some of them did! (my daughter has gymnast friends who are 14 but look like they are eight- and they are older than her) They were really good and have worked hard. I was very disappointed in the coverage. It's as if Elfie and Tim were hoping the Chinese would fall. I also wish we could have seen some of the gymnasts from the other countries. Surely there were other excellent routines. I loved the final Chinese girl on the uneven bars- she was throwing some serious and unique skills. I hope Shawn, Nastia, and Alicia do well in their individual events. A silver medal is nothing to be ashamed of! My God, Chelsie was performing with a broken ankle! Just sayin'

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/13/08 at 11:03am

mom, do you think the Chinese girls were all 16 and over?