Olympics 2008

[alphabassettgrrl]

Thought you liked soccer.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well, I love playing soccer. I'm not a soccer watcher. I'll watch Olympic soccer and World Cup soccer, but only if I happen to catch a game, I don't seek it out.

But even if I did watch it, the number of games that station shows would be a lot to watch. But then, I imagine there aren't really people wanting to watch them all, it's probably more about just having all the games available so people can pick the ones they want to watch.

[Tenigma]

Technically they are all supposed to have be 16 this year but one of the gymnasts apparently just lost her baby tooth and still has a gap where her adult tooth hasn't grown in yet.

Chinese women gymnasts take gold, Americans hint of cheating:

"Half of the team - He Kexin, Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan - is under age if online sports registration lists in China are correct. The international gymnastics federation, however, said those gymnasts were eligible and that the ages on their passports were correct."

OK see, I think the girls did a fantastic job, and I really liked the show they put on in the floor routines. But if the government is (once again) pushing for these little girls before their time, "for the sake of the country" well then it's just one more proof to me that the the government is EEEEVIL I TELL YOU. RAGE!!!!

[scaeagles]

The IOC is as impotent as the UN and nothing will ever be done to investigate it.

The Chinese gymnastics coach has dimissed criticism by likening it to looking at a very muscular American and assuming they are doping. No a bad argument, really. i don't buy it, but not bad.

Couple of funny things....Some doctor is saying that the music Michael Phelps listens to before he races can have the same effect as doping, giving him an unfair advantage.

[Alex]

Other than the fact that it is against the rules I don't really have a problem with them being 12 instead of 15 (they don't have to be 16 right now, just 16 by December 31).

It isn't like their exploitation is going to stop just because they're not performing this year. If they weren't it would just go on for another 4 years until the next Olympics. I don't approve of what women's Olympic-level gymnastics has become but I don't think the age limit does anything to improve that situation and I'd get rid of it. If an 8-year-old and compete at the highest levels, let her. The problem will lie with us for getting excited about 8-year-olds.

[cirquelover]

I don't think an 8 year old should compete in the Olympics. That would be too much strain on their little bodies before they are ready. Let alone they wouldn't be able to reach half the bars!

I agree that some of Chinas gymnasts look 12 and I'm pretty sure they are too young from the stuff I've seen online. It just seems like cheating to me!

[NickO'Time]

Armstrong wins Gold!

Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, Ca captured bronze in the Men's Time Trial.

I knew Cancellara would win Gold. He's a rocket on a bike!

[Moonliner]

NBC had an interview with Mark Spitz today. He seemed genuinely happy for Phelps and USA Swimming. Plus the man has aged surprisingly well.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I don't think an 8 year old should compete in the Olympics. That would be too much strain on their little bodies before they are ready. Let alone they wouldn't be able to reach half the bars!

What they do already is more strain than their bodies generally can or should handle.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex

What they do already is more strain than their bodies generally can or should handle.

The same can be said of NFL players, truck drivers, factory workers, etc...

I don't think you can paint with so broad of a brush here. If you have a child who loves the sport, wants to compete at the highest level and is willing to put in the time then I say bravo to that. Support them as much as you can.

On the other hand if you take a 3 Year old away from their family to live at the gymnastics camp for the next 20 years or so, that is a problem. As is the overbearing parent who is pushing their kid to accomplish something they themselves never could.