Very good point. He seems to be the forgotten one in all this.

In general I wasn't impressed w/ the gymnastics judges. There was another incident (I forgot who was involved, but he competed on the high bar right before one of the Hamm bros.) where the guy did an unbelievable routine and was awarded 2 scores which were insanely low. The crowd went crazy and finally they had to go back and rescore. Then the audience still wouldn't shut up and acted a fool during Hamm's routine. Some of the crap that happened there was out of line.

This is gymnastics' equivelant of the 2000 election. Both sides have LAWYERS issuing statements. Utterly ridiculous. The South Koreans need to come down off of their completely ridiculous position and admit they were wrong. If they were given what they wanted, a completely fair and accurate rejudging their man wouldn't even medal.

I'm glad that the USOC is basically giving these groups the finger. I was afraid that in light of the current world view of the USA, they'd try to be more diplomatic :D

I totaly agree with you! I can't believe even the USOC & FIG isn't bringing that up. He should take is bronze and be happy he got away with those 2 tenths.

Hamm was talking about this on David Letterman and if that's true, then why are they still whining? Hamm won it fair and square and his comeback was amazing.

When did they ask him to give the medal back?
I thought they denied the Korean's complaint...?

They asked him to give it up a few days ago. He said he'd do whatever the FIG decided was right. So they tried to send him a letter via the USOC (who wouldn't deliver it b/c it was basically a load of hooey!) saying they think it would be a great display of sportsmanship and Fair Play if he handed it over to the Korean. When he said no, they claimed he was going back on what he said originally. Hamm then explained he MEANT he would do what the FIG decided. If they decided he had to give it up, he would, but he certainly won't do it because they are "asking" him too. Good for him!

You know, how many times are football games been won and lost because of a touchdown that really wasn't over the line, or a penalty that wasn't called. They don't go back after watching the tape and say "Sorry so and so, you have to give up the National Championship b/c after some thought, we f*cked up". :rolleyes:

Ditto across the world in soccer - there are fan riots at every other game. Can you imagine the melee if a championship was stripped? Someone would wake up with their throat cut.

There's more at work here, IMHO, than a scoring error for S. Korea to get so worked up.......... I think someone's bringing regular international politics into the Olympics - again. No solid evidence, just a hunch.

--add

The only time an athlete should return a medal is if they are caught cheating.
It's not their fault the judges screwed up and shouldn't be penalized for a judges mistake.

But problems like this are why I feel that all judged sports should be taken out of the olympics. Gymnastics, synchro, figure skating, rythmic gymnastics, wrestling and boxing should all be gone. It's too subjective and every year there is controversy and corruption scandals. They need to be out because I don't think the problems can be fixed.

I agree with you on the fact that it should only be taken away if they are caught cheating or drugs.


He didnt mess with the scoring... the judging was messed up before they stepped ont he floor. The S korean team is whinny bunch of poor sports..... He w on and they awarded him so be done with it ...thats what i believe!

I watched an interview with him the other night and he is positive about the entire scenerio. I don't think he should have to give it back..PERIOD! It isn't his fault that the judges made mistakes. If he did something to unrightfully win then maybe, but he did everything he was supposed to and it was someone elses mistake.
From the interview it sounded like the FIG wanted him to just willing turn it over instead of them proving that he shouldn't have received it. STUPID!!!!

Its a shame its even an issue. Something that is usually the best moment in someones life has been made into one of the worst. Internationally (calling all Europeans, Canadians, the occasional South African ;) ) do you feel the same way as Americans do about this? Disagree? Thought about it twice?

Kudos to Alexei Nemov for calming the crowd for Hamm during the highbar final.

Off Topic...
I think Nemov should have won that special Gold sportsmanship medal, rather than the Brazilian marathon runner.

I disagree. Any gymnast could have done that to quiet the crowd.

Not everyone runs a marathon, leads most of the way, and has their gold medal hopes dashed by an overzealous religious freak, and still has the guts and strength to finish the competition.

How much did I laugh my a$$ off when the dude from S. Korea making all the fuss screwed the pooh royally on his highbar routine. First he hit the dang bar with his legs, and then he about fell on his a$$ when he landed. I was ROLLING with laughter about it. Yeah - champion....whatever!!!

And I think Nemov is absolutely precious -- he can come put those beautiful arms on my highbar anytime :D LOL!!

What the HELL is wrong with the judges - they seemed to screw up one thing after another this time.