Olympics

[Peaches-n-Cream]

The gymnastics scoring was very confusing last night. It also reminds me of the figure skating controversies of the past.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by AznSAE
last night they had ANOTHER scoring controversy in the men's gymnastic high bar. something about the judge giving the russian dude low scores and the crowd stared to boo for like 10 minutes. did anyone catch that?

I saw that -- it was nuts. After the crowed booed and the head of the competition came out and talked to the two judges who scored him way too low, they changed their scores but he was still in last place of the people who had performed. It was crazy.

What I really don't understand is why there were so many ties. I don't know if the judges talk to each other at all and know that there's going to be a tie, but it sort of seemed like they were doing it on purpose. The tie breaker procedure seems really bizarre.

ETA: Oh, and I forgot to add that I am still saying that Lithuania is going to win the gold in men's basketball.

[krazy]

Well, even though I feel like I have learned a lot about these sports like gymnastics, I still have to understand that these types of scoring techniques are pretty foreign to me... I think it is something that we all cannot really understand unless we are gymnastics buffs... No pun intended... Anyways, it doesn't ruin the competition, and the Russian athlete was super cool about it, he came out and asked the crowd to stop booing... It just shows you the sportmanship of many of these guys and girls...

Lithuania looks good, I wouldn't be surprised, I LOVE seeing these other teams play ball, it is so much fun...

Also, can ya'll believe that Jeremy Wariner kid from Baylor winning the 400-meters? He is a sophomore!!!

BRYAN WON SILVER IN THE DECATHLON!

He surpassed his personal best point total at 8820, 63 points behind Roman Seberle of the Czech Republic, who won the Gold.

At only 24, if he keeps this up, he'll definitely be in Beijing 2008!

[Lady Pi Phi]

Poor Perdita.

It is so sad. I wish they would stop replaying that race. She seems to be taking it in stride and handling herself very well. Yes, 4 years is a long time to wait, but hopefully we'll see her faster and stronger in 2008.

[moe.ron]

I feel sorry for the Australian rowers Sally Robbins. She is being villified by the entire nations. People need to relax.

Link to the Story

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by moe.ron
I feel sorry for the Australian rowers Sally Robbins. She is being villified by the entire nations. People need to relax.

Link to the Story

I didn't see the race, and I don't know if she truley was physically unable to continue or she just gave up. We will never know, because we're not her.
However, she will never row with thosewomen again. She may find another team, or she may have to row single. But she will never earn the trust of those women again.

[LeslieAGD]

Originally posted by ariesrising
This is the first time they've used a time breaking procedure, and I think it's given the judges license to tie people knowing that the procedure will do the ranking and they are off the hook at having to make an actual decision.

The judges do not confer, they each score individually.
That night they obviously all kept scoring the same.

[polarpi]

Originally posted by krazy
Well, even though I feel like I have learned a lot about these sports like gymnastics, I still have to understand that these types of scoring techniques are pretty foreign to me... I think it is something that we all cannot really understand unless we are gymnastics buffs... No pun intended... Anyways, it doesn't ruin the competition, and the Russian athlete was super cool about it, he came out and asked the crowd to stop booing... It just shows you the sportmanship of many of these guys and girls...

Well, maybe not SO super cool....in this article he mentions that he feels he should have had at least a bronze (which I personally would agree with, but as others in the interview said, he took a big step on his landing which cost him some points).

[moe.ron]

Is the NBC coverage that bad?

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by ariesrising
Instead of being able to watch one sport at a time. It drives me insane - gymnastics could've been over in an hour, but instead it took 4 hours to watch it.

Which, of course, is exactly why they do it that way. You had to watch the entire Prime Time program instead of just a little part of it.

That makes their advertisers most joyful!

[MysticCat]

At least they've been putting up the "Coming Up in 13 Minutes" notices. Makes it a little better.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by MysticCat81
At least they've been putting up the "Coming Up in 13 Minutes" notices. Makes it a little better.

Yup. Let's me know when I can make popcorn or another drink.

I should say this. Having worked a Summer Olympics in TV Production, they do a masterful job of storytelling. There's no way to please everyone, and the logistics of what you see on the air are truely remarkable given the number of venues and events, amount of equipment, communications, etc.

Using their other networks (USA, CNBC, MSNBC, etc.) for long form coverage of some events really helps for the purist.

[bcdphie]

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Less than 24 hours after she crashed into the first barrier of the 100-metre hurdles final and fell to the track in tears, Canadian Perdita Felicien was marveling at the support of fellow Canadians.

Felicien heartened by outpouring of Canadian support

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by bcdphie
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Less than 24 hours after she crashed into the first barrier of the 100-metre hurdles final and fell to the track in tears, Canadian Perdita Felicien was marveling at the support of fellow Canadians.

Felicien heartened by outpouring of Canadian support

She's taking this very well. Good for her!

On another note...

Holy crap! The Russian synchronized swimmers (duet) are amazing!!!!!! They desevered those scores and the gold medal!!

I was a little miffed at the low scores the Canadians got (I really thought they should have placed better than 6th...they weren't really medal contenders, but they swam better than Spain), but what can you do?