Olympics Discussion Thread

[The Mad Monk]

Originally posted by Chemical Ollie


I don't think the booing Greeks thought that deep, but you could look at it like this: The Greek failed to take a doping test and was banned. Numerous American altletes are doped up to their ears, still protected from being busted by their association. Then they won triple medals. I'm not saying that these individuals were doped, but the problem is that we will never know.

So, how does their association "protect" them?

Nice save with the "I'm not saying" comment, btw...

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Yeah, 'cause, ya know, it's not like it was their own coach that started this whole doping investigation or anything...

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by The Mad Monk


So, how does their association "protect" them?

Nice save with the "I'm not saying" comment, btw...

I don't know how many times I've heard the news that "A US top atlete who won gold in the olympics or WC has tested positive for doping during a training period" but they never tell who it is and they never get restricted. It seems the association knows something is going on, but they don't do anything about it. At least not until recently.

[Mercator]

Originally posted by Ted Striker
Stupid Greeks booing the American 200m sprinters

I didn't think it was specifically anti-American, but it was disgraceful regardless.

Oh, and Bernard Williams

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by The Mad Monk
So, how does their association "protect" them?

Nice save with the "I'm not saying" comment, btw...

There was an article in SI last year about how the USOC was (is?) protecting all those athletes tested positive in drug screenings.

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by Chemical Ollie


I don't think the booing Greeks thought that deep, but you could look at it like this: The Greek failed to take a doping test and was banned. Numerous American altletes are doped up to their ears, still protected from being busted by their association. Then they won triple medals. I'm not saying that these individuals were doped, but the problem is that we will never know.

See what I mean?

If you wanted that quote to be true it would look like this:

Numerous altletes are doped up to their ears, still protected from being busted by their association.

Thanks for showing your prejudice though.

[Alexander's Horse]

Australia is having its best Olympics ever - a better result than the Sydney or Melbourne Olympics - go figure.

[Drake Tungsten]

Great, another reason for Koreans to hate America...

Gymnastics officials want Hamm to give up gold

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Gymnastics officials asked Paul Hamm to give up his gold medal as the ultimate show of sportsmanship, but the U.S. Olympic Committee told them to take responsibility for their own mistakes.


In a dispute over scores that has turned into a political squabble, the head of the International Gymnastics Federation suggested in a letter to Hamm that giving the all-around gold medal to South Korea's Yang Tae-young "would be recognized as the ultimate demonstration of fair play by the whole world."


FIG president Bruno Grandi tried to send the letter Thursday night to Hamm through the USOC, but the USOC refused to deliver it.


In a letter back to Grandi, USOC secretary general Jim Scherr called the request "a blatant and inappropriate attempt on the part of (FIG) to once again shift responsibility for its own mistakes and instead pressure Mr. Hamm into resolving what has become an embarrassing situation for your federation."


Yang, the bronze medalist, was wrongly docked a tenth of a point on his parallel bars routine. If he had received the proper score, he would have won gold and Hamm would have won silver. Three judges were suspended, and FIG said the results would stand.


Through his agent, Hamm declined comment, but he has said in the past that he has no intentions of giving up his medal unless ordered to do so by FIG. Grandi said Friday he believed the issue was closed until he learned of that comment by Hamm.


Although Grandi's letter says "the true winner of the all-around competition is Yang Tae-young" the FIG president insisted he's not pressuring Hamm.


"There is no doubt he has won the medal," Grandi said. "He deserves the medal and the ranking is clear. ... I respect totally Paul Hamm and all the decisions he makes. If he says give back the medal, I respect it. Don't give back the medal, I respect the decision. He is not responsible for anything."


The USOC had a much different interpretation of the letter.


"I don't know of any comparison in any sport anywhere where you crown an athlete, crown a team and then say, 'Oh, that was a mistake. Would you fix this for us?"' USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth said.


Ueberroth said the USOC considers the case closed, based on the FIG ruling -- that the scores cannot be changed -- and from a statement from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who said the IOC would stick with the results turned in by the federation and wouldn't step in unless there were clear signs of impropriety.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/gymnastics/08/27/bc.oly.taintedgold.ap/index.html

Have fun, Boshko. Hamm should be the new Apollo Anton Ohno...

[Ted Striker]

They should give the damn Korean the gold medal also and get off of Hamm's back.

This is ridiculous.

[Ted Striker]

By the way, I have never seen so much whining against the USA from other countries, about the damn judging and officiating.

I have not yet heard of one American team that has complained about this.

Terrible.

[Winston]

I'm waiting for Wilson Kipketer to run in the 800m final in twenty minutes. I'm pretty excited about his chances there.

And tomorrow, as I predicted early on, Denmark and Korea will face eachother again in the Women's Handball final. As always, an awful lot is at stake there for the entire nation.

[Winston]

Aargh!! Close call, and a bronze medal for Wilson.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Re: Great, another reason for Koreans to hate America...

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

Gymnastics officials want Hamm to give up gold

They keep neglecting to mention the other judging error on Yang's performance...if you want to run instant replay, go for it, but do it all the way. Take away his bronze. Otherwise, quit complaining and be happy that there was an error in his favor.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Ted Striker
By the way, I have never seen so much whining against the USA from other countries, about the damn judging and officiating.

I have not yet heard of one American team that has complained about this.

Terrible.

that's because americans are winning all the golds

[SpencerH]

Yes that old Danish family the Kipketer's. I just a bout **** when I saw Merlene Ottey running for Slovenia or somewhere. Jah mon I'm from Ljubliana.