THE OLYMPICS: Official Thread of All-Things Games! (Sportsmanship Required)- Page 34

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 1:34am

There is something about Dalhausser that bothers me too. Although it may have just been the insane pumping up the announcers did during their incredibly sub-par opening match. "Thin Beast" he was not. Nor "Beijing Beast".

Nastia was really my favorite of the gymnasts by far, I just loved how fluid and artistic she was.
But I must say, I was tearing up a bit when Shawn pulled off the gold. And I do not get emotionally involved in this type of thing.

I am happy for both of them, they deserved everything they got. (and probably a bit more)
I am not into bashing the Chinese team though, those girls (whatever age) were spectacular and played really, really well. I think it is unfair to them claim it was all "cheating".

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 1:42am

penguin - I feel the exact same way about Dalhausser. I had never heard of them until I was watching that first match against Latvia, and all the announcers could do was go on and on about how awesome he was. And I was extremely unimpressed, so it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

But when they are on, they are amazing. The just completely blew away Georgia.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:57am

SP, the Chinese gymnists did not cheat, the Chinese government and the Chinese gymnastic officials cheated. The erratic and apparent biased scoring which favored the Chinese team cannot be denied. I have no illwill toward the gymnists, they are all so talented.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:42am

I am thrilled for Jonathan Horton; he certainly earned that medal last night! I am surprised that his start value was .3 lower than Zou's; Horton's routine looked every bit as difficult to me! Ah well, he should be very proud.

As should both of those beautiful young girls. I think it was a fitting end to the gymnastics competition for the U.S. women. smartp, who didn't tear up watching Shawn's mother start sobbing with joy at her daughter's win?!? It was a classic Olympic moment!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:00pm

I've got to say the profile that the Today Show did this morning on the Mexican-American wrestler who won the gold medal, brought tears to my eyes.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:03pm

Yes, I agree. I loved the attitude of Jonathan during the games, so I was so glad he received a medal.

And was glad that Shawn got her gold.

Regarding Nastia, did you happen to see the interview of her father a couple of days ago? He was saying that he and his wife really did not want her to go into gymnastics, as he was very aware of how difficult a life it was for a young person, and he wanted a better life for his daughter. But he said his daughter exhibited such an innate excellence and determination at an early age, that he realized he wouldn't be able to hold her back. I was really impressed with the parents of both gals, so I am happy they both got their golds.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:04pm

DBilly, if I recall, Horton's mother had the same Olympic moment!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:19pm

Gotta love their parents. What about Shawn's parents who mortgaged their home on more than one occasion so she could continue her training.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:51pm

Yes, brd, very similar ...

I also loved watching cute little Shawn biting her lip. I kept thinking, "Oh honey, just let it out! You earned the right to cry in front of a bazillion people!"

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 12:56pm

I was thinking the same thing, DBillyP. Shawn was adorable biting her inside lips to keep the tears at-bay. Her mom did enough crying for the both of them.

And yes, Jonathan Horton's parents totally opened the flood-gates too after he got silver. Some really emotional parents. When you stop to think about just how many days of intense competition every one underwent, it's remarkable!

AND NOW WE'VE GOT THE WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINAL TONIGHT!

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:33pm

Here's an amusing vid (at least I think it is), showing what we didn't see, when Phelps won by that .01 of a second.


Phelps vs. Cavic

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:42pm

Very Funny!!!

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:47pm

LOL That was great

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 2:47pm

LOL. That was some editing.

When I heard Mama Phelps yelling, it reminded me of something that I noticed the other day. Did anyone else notice that on the day that Phelps won his 7th gold, Mama Phelps was sitting behind Ian Thorpe? She must have recognized him. I wondered if they had exchanged pleasantries. (He was the one who said he didn't think that Phelps could break Spitz's record, and Phelps had that article taped to the back of his locker for inspiration.)

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:17pm

I am very happy that Shawn Johnson finally got a gold medal. :) She really did deserve it.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:23pm

"SP, the Chinese gymnists did not cheat, the Chinese government and the Chinese gymnastic officials cheated"

Surely the Chinese gymnasts and their families were aware of the age rule. They went right along with the cheat. I place some blame on them, and some on the IOC for going along with it too.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:32pm

I want to add this-

What kind of person feels good about winning something when they know they were competing unfairly and had no business being there in the first place? Let alone the kind of people who ran the whole scam.

Do those parents really feel good about this? I wouldn't, as a parent or the child.

Sorry, I really feel strongly about this. It's all bogus.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 4:02pm

The IOC is at fault also!

I have not seen any proof being put forth other than a 12 year old saying, "My real age is 16."

Jane, I cannot blame a 12-13 year old girl who might have little contact to adults outside her gymnastics "camp."

I can see a slow demise of the Olympics if the Chinese continue to behave in this manner, establishing mandatory training camps for each event and then cheating. I am sure there will be a major track and field push in the next four years.

Posted: 8/20/08 at 4:12pm

I don't really blame the gymnasts either. If the Chinese government had given them approval... why wouldn't they think they could compete? Maybe they honestly didn't even know about the fake passports. There was a lot of weight on their shoulders to win for their country and so they were just trying to do all they could and focusing on that.

And think of censorship in China as well.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:03pm

I do not blame the athletes, I blame the government.

You are judging these young girls as though they had a choice in the matter. The Chinese sports machine will soon (or has) rivaled that of the Soviets.

I cannot see a young girl, who lives in country controlled by the government, risking the safety and financial well being of herself and her family, contradicting the government.

It is too bad that the IOC is cowering in the face of the Chinese. All of the athletes deserve better than that.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:18pm

"Jane, I cannot blame a 12-13 year old girl who might have little contact to adults outside her gymnastics "camp."

That's fine, I respect that it's your opinion.

And , I mentioned the IOC being at fault in my post.

I'm not saying the little girls would ever withdraw from the games, but I think they may have been told to say they were 16 if anyone asked. AT that point, they would know something was wrong. Of course they wouldn't or couldn't do anything about it.

Updated On: 8/20/08 at 05:18 PM

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:39pm

I feel that if they can do the skills it shouldn't matter how old they are. I Dont think that thier government should lie about it. ..... thats what makes it scandalous IMO

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:45pm

"I feel that if they can do the skills it shouldn't matter how old they are."

Don't you believe in any fairness in competition? You ARE aware that there is an advantage to being 12 and weighing 77 lbs, over a woman of 16-20, and being much heavier aren't you?

You do know why other sports are divided into classes and/or categories, don't you?

Do you know why boxers and wrestlers have to compete with others in their weight range?

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:52pm

I do get that thier are different classes/catagories for different ages but, I was under the assumption that it was cause of the skill level.... not weight. A younger girl ,I would think ,would have a disadvantage cause they thier body's havent matured and gained the muscle needed to throw themselves like they do.....

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 5:55pm

Jonny, not necessarily.

As young women mature, the body changes. And things like breasts and hips get in the way of tumbling. Also, the consequences of competing at peak levels on a growing body are unknown.

It is amazing how skilled the children are, but the age limit is there for a reason - and everyone should be abiding by it.