Olympic GDT - 30 July

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I would have always said this is a stupid rule, but yes the Americans are only complaining now since it is in their advantage.

My thoughts on this are the Olympics only occur every four years, and usually for a gymnast you only really get one shot to compete.

It isn't fair that a gymnast spend her whole life training for it, is likely a medal contender but since there are two gymnasts on her own team that had a better day then her at the Olympic Trials she likely doesn't get to compete.

If a person deserves to be in that event they should be there, who cares if two other members of the same country are there already. If there are 5 Americans that are better then the other athletes then all 5 Americans should be there.

The Olympics are supposed to put the best in the world against each other, not just to give each country an athlete who can have a participant ribbon.

But they want other countries showcased in the final 24 as well.

If you had 5 americans, 5 romanians, 5 chinese, 5 russians and 4 japanese in the final, they would be pretty mundane.

I do agree that 2 is too little, maybe 3? so at least one country could sweep the podium.

[SilverGS]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

But they want other countries showcased in the final 24 as well.

If you had 5 americans, 5 romanians, 5 chinese, 5 russians and 4 japanese in the final, they would be pretty mundane.

I do agree that 2 is too little, maybe 3? so at least one country could sweep the podium.

So having the best in the world even from the same countries is more mundane then allowing other countries but inferior athletes compete?

I'm all for a feel good story but would much rather watch the best do an amazing routine then a mediocre routine from someone who benefited from a rule like that. I'm routing against the Americans for the most part since they are so favoured to win almost everything but if she was 3rd best overall behind her two teamates she should be in the final to compete.

[Matty81]

Finding the olympics boring so far, I am a sports junkie, but I need at least a few Canadians in the lense and every time I turn it on it's two random countries in a team sport or an event with no Canadians.

So far only thing remotely interesting has been rowing heats and god help us once China starts pouring money and engineering into that sport as well.

[carom]

Heading to the Maple leaf Pub, I will be the one with the Flames camo hat. Come say hello.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Finding the olympics boring so far, I am a sports junkie, but I need at least a few Canadians in the lense and every time I turn it on it's two random countries in a team sport or an event with no Canadians.

So far only thing remotely interesting has been rowing heats and god help us once China starts pouring money and engineering into that sport as well.

the other countries are fun!

For example!
I'm locked in on the archery. A Brit is about go up against a Mexican dude. The crowd is of course going nuts for the Brit, except for one guy in a Lucha Libre mask (I am not kidding) who is cheering on the Mexican. I'm not surprised the Brits eat this up. It's like a 6-foot putting contest.

[Lobotroth]

Drama in the men's team gymnastics: Japan requests review of their final pommel horse performance, they felt the judges didn't score them high enough in terms of difficulty. It was China, Great Britain and Ukraine for G,S,B but ended up China, Japan, and Great Britain in the end. Ukraine did not look happy.

[Table 5]

nm

[Senator Clay Davis]

Back to back races where Ryan Lochte fades down the stretch, going from second to out of the medals on his final lap. Guess he won't be the big star of these Olympics.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Lobotroth

Drama in the men's team gymnastics: Japan requests review of their final pommel horse performance, they felt the judges didn't score them high enough in terms of difficulty. It was China, Great Britain and Ukraine for G,S,B but ended up China, Japan, and Great Britain in the end. Ukraine did not look happy.

Japan also got a judo medal awarded to S. Korea over-turned.

[Flaming Choy]

Originally Posted by troutman

Japan also got a judo medal awarded to S. Korea over-turned.

I know nothing about Judo, so don't really know what's happening, but the video is intriguing to watch everyone's reactions.

http://deadspin.com/5929970/here-is-...terfinal-match

[GirlySports]

It just got worse in the "screw South Korea" Olympics

http://deadspin.com/5930219/a-south-...ium=socialflow

A timing error in the last second of the bout led to a 20-minute delay and a controversial decision in the women's individual epeé semifinal today between South Korean Shin A Lam and German Britta Heidemann, one that has the Korean refusing to leave the piste.
With one second remaining in the match, Heidemann needed to score a touch on Shin to win the match. (Shin would have advanced if they finished the round tied.) The clock then got stuck, allowing Heidemann several extra seconds to score, which she did. Officials then congregated for a long time discussing their options before finally awarding the win (and a chance at the gold medal) to the German.
Shin, in tears, sat down on the piste and has yet to leave. The arena announcer explained to the audience that if she were to leave, it would mean she accepted the decision; since the Korean team is filing an appeal. Even more bizarrely, fencing rules require the Korean team to pay a cash deposit in order to secure an appeal. (Yahoo!'s Maggie Hendricks informs me this is the case in every Olympic sport.)

Then they made her 'fight' immedaitely for bronze in which she of course lost.

[saskflames69]

Lacrosse needs to be an Olympic sport. Canada needs more gold medals.

[GirlySports]

Canada is just not a good 2nd half team

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Canada is just not a good 2nd half team

Yup...the Roughriders of womens basketball.

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by transplant99

yup...the roughriders of womens basketball.

lol

[GirlySports]

spoke too soon, Canada with a great finish.. 9-2 run!

[Mango]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Then they made her 'fight' immedaitely for bronze in which she of course lost.

The image of her sitting on the edge of the piste alone, head down, mask thrown away, her in tears and the crowd boo-ing her is one I won't forget. Damn.

[Stay Golden]

Great push back in the final 4 minutes by the Canadian women's BBall team to earn their first win over GB.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by saskflames96

Lacrosse needs to be an Olympic sport. Canada needs more gold medals.

Could you imagine MMA and all the weight classes being an Olympic sport since that there are fighters from all around the world.
The IOC would never accept the violent nature of the sport. They would make them wear head gear, elbow and foot pads.

[GirlySports]

I have been informed (by co-workers) that there are some absolutely gorgeous girls in the Norway-Sweden handball match.