The Olympics

I hate saying it, but I think judging was worse in the Cold War.

Anyone else catch themselves singing Kazakstan is grea-*test*-('") country in the world, all other countries run by little girls during a medal ceremony?

QUOTE (Maestro @ August 18, 2008 12:21 am)

I can't see how the IOC can just ignore the whole women's gymnastics situation. I realize its the host country but them ignoring it totally takes away from the integrity of the sport. You would think that is important seeing how its the OLYMPICS and all. I mean if they strip away medals for doping then why not this?

While I don't disagree with you, I can understand why the IOC isn't doing much. It would cause the most humungus drama if China were accused of cheating, while the Olympics are still going on. It may be brought up afterwards, however.

Interestingly, there has been virtually no coverage of this 'underage gymnasts' story in the UK.

I was so happy for the Jamaican women in the 100m.

The British cycling team just continues to kick ass. Beating the old world record by 3 seconds? That's just showing off!

I'm not usually one for the "she was robbed!" complaints, but seriously? Nastia Luikin was robbed of gold today.

WTF was that about? I don't get why they couldn't just both win gold. To my untrained eye, too, Luikin was by far the superior.

Yep. And Beth Tweddle was pretty harshly marked for what looked to be a fairly flawless routine with the highest degree of difficulty. Very unlucky to come in at 4th.

Poor Beth Tweddle. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

I've decided to discount the Chinese from now on in my personal medals count for the gymnastics. So Beth got silver and Nastia got gold.

Oh, Dragulascu. That first vault was unreal.

Once again I find my gymnastics enthusiasm waning due to endless scoring controversies. I just want to root for great gymnastics, you know?

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WTF was that about? I don't get why they couldn't just both win gold. To my untrained eye, too, Luikin was by far the superior.

Yeah, why can't exactly the same score = tie? This was a really confusing meet to watch without commentary.

Haha - excellent, Carmine. I like your style!

So it's gold for Canada, silver for Uzbekistan and bronze for the Ukraine in the Women's Trampolining final!

(Actually, the Chinese girl was very good. But I've got to stick to my rules, or the CIOC will be after me.)

The team showjumping results are now in. I may never stop smiling.

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I hate saying it, but I think judging was worse in the Cold War.

It was. "And a 4.5 from the East German judge!" That was real, back in the day.

Bela Karolyi needs to STFU. Yes, the vault scoring was highly suspect, and I do believe that the American was robbed. But, "That's never happened in Olympics history!!!!", Bela? Balls. It happens all the time. Cathy Rigby complained about it in 1972. Bad scoring in gymnastics (and figure skating) has been around since mastodons roamed around outside the gyms, and I highly doubt any changes to the Code of Points will fix it.

May I just say, old people represent! Dara Torres, 31, winning three silvers! The Romanian who won the women's marathon at 38! Oksana Chusovitina, age 33, winning gymnastics silver! Even Jason Lezak is in his early 30s (33?).

Almost makes me want to get up off my couch, it does.

Congrats to the British cyclers!

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I was so happy for the Jamaican women in the 100m.

Loved her. And her accent. And her mouth full of braces. And how she was the inexperienced kid in the field and just dusted everyone.

I finally watched the mens 100m final. I couldn't believe the slo-mo replay when Usain Bolt put his arms down, thumped his chest, did his taxes, baked a cake, all before the race was over.