Let's start an office pool over when his testicles will descend.

[twicketface]

I've mostly avoided the Olympics, but have taken an interest in the medal controversy regarding Paul Hamm. I find it rather ridiculous that he hasn't given the gold medal back, since he didn't win it.

I realize that the judges made a mistake in the scoring and for that, they should be disciplined. But it doesn't change the fact that he didn't earn the gold medal. I'd be much more impressed if he gave the medal to Yang Tae-young out of duty instead of needing to be pressured into it. Isn't honor part of the games?

In addition, if the situation was the opposite and an American was getting screwed out of the medal he earned, I can only imagine the shit storm that would erupt. Fuck, we would've invaded South Korea by this point had the roles been reversed.

In summary, the Olympics is lame.

Comments

[drainbead.livejournal.com]

Well, the thing is, if you count the mistake in judging FOR the South Korean guy, you also have to count the mistake in judging that would go AGAINST him. Apparently, the judges missed what should have been a .2 deduction on the parallel bars, which would have placed that guy out of the medals entirely.

This is why all those subjective sports suck.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

Ah ha - I was unaware of the mistake against the South Korean.

I think the judges should have to train for four years, just like the participants.

[slinky76.livejournal.com]

"I think the judges should have to train for four years, just like the participants."

I agree!

[htothem.livejournal.com]

For the record, Paul Hamm should have his gold medal revoked no matter what for being such a whiny crybaby. He needs to stop doing the 'roids so he can grow some balls.

Ahhh, I disagree completely.

[jonnyv.livejournal.com]

Hamm should not have to give his medal back. Compare it to instant replay in football. If a mistake was found the day after the Superbowl, the losing team would not have be asked to give back the trophy. That is the problem with anything subjective when it comes to sports... aka officials. But that is part of the game. And the rules specifically state that they have a certain amount of time to put up an arguement against the score, and they didn't get it in time. Back to the football reference, you can't throw a replay flag 3 plays later, just will not work.

The USA has been on the losing side of the bad call at least 2 times that I can think of. The 1972 olympic basketball game, due to poor officiating.
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/mm-1972bball.html

And the Roy Jones Jr. boxing fight where the scoring was blatenly PAID OFF. And the Olympic committee nor South Korea ever gave or shared a medal with him.
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/sports/special_packages/olympics/9354926.htm

Just like any & every professional sport the Olympics boils down to money and fame at some point. But, Hamm IS a high-pitched whiny guy. Now if they want to go back and critique all the competitors in slow motion, then and only then, can they ask him to return his medal.
(insert sound of me jumping off my soapbox)

PS. I LOVE the Olympics. Swimming, Soccor, Track, and best of all... GIRLS ON TRAMPOLINES!!!

[hexkitten.livejournal.com]

I thought at least one of the judges was a former gymnast? Maybe I misread something.

Re: Ahhh, I disagree completely.

[twicketface.livejournal.com]

I think the Olympics should overshadow the Super Bowl in terms of importance and class. He still would get a medal, as opposed to strictly winning or losing. I wasn't aware of the timeframe to lodge a complaint. But clearly, they need a better scoring system, or to eliminate subjective scoring events altogether.