The Olympics are rigged!!

[Dave G]

At roughly 9:50 I see the two female gymnasts, America and China and the announcers are talking about China this and China that and China should win it all "it almost feels like destiny". Well the American does her two vaults and she was a little rough on the landings. Now China’s turn, first vault looked good. The second vault she just about fell flat on her face, literally. Come score time, China smokes America. It is friggen RIGGED!!!!!!! I have heard of home court advantage, but that was ridicules!

[Hook-Line-N-Sinker]

I wasn't watching that closely but I do know that the level of difficulty of the vault has a lot to do with the final scores handed down by the judges, wether they stick the landing or not.

From what I've seen over the past week it does seem like there has been a little bit of "home cooking" however the judging is made up of an international panel so who knows.

[Burtonrider]

I watched Olympic Boxing and it stirred my mind. They were showing replays of guys getting hit cleanly and no one received a point, but a guy falls down from tripping and yet the standing boxer receives a point.

Just puzzles my mind. I also watched the gymnastics and it bugged me very much. Despite the level of difficulty and the end score, the deductions they put on some gymnasts are a lot higher than other gymnasts. Even other gymnasts that are non-American seem to be scoring lower than they should.

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

Originally Posted by Hook-Line-N-Sinker

I wasn't watching that closely but I do know that the level of difficulty of the vault has a lot to do with the final scores handed down by the judges, wether they stick the landing or not.

Yep
"Cheng is a three-time world champion on vault, and hadn't been beaten in the event in three years. But she didn't get enough height on her push off the board to complete her forward somersault with 11/2 twists, and landed the vault on her knees. Yet because her vaults are so difficult -- both had start values of 6.5 -- she still wound up ahead of Sacramone, who made no major errors."

[Newbs]

We just watched the same thing. It looked like the Chinese gymnyst fell. I can't understand how she was in the medals.

This is a bit like yelling at the ref for making a really bad call...doesn't do any good but you might feel a little better.

[Go_Getter]

Originally Posted by *** Clerk

Yep
"Cheng is a three-time world champion on vault, and hadn't been beaten in the event in three years. But she didn't get enough height on her push off the board to complete her forward somersault with 11/2 twists, and landed the vault on her knees. Yet because her vaults are so difficult -- both had start values of 6.5 -- she still wound up ahead of Sacramone, who made no major errors."

The difficulty really does not make that huge of a difference in a totally blow vault. They said she had technique errors that lead to the fall. the errors should have been an automatic .8 deduction and the fall should have been another .8 deduction she should have been given no more than a 14.5 if all else was perfect and in a vault like that no way could it have been perfect.

Then the North Korean goes steps out of bounds, then steps out again and still beats the US and wins the Gold over a German who make very little errors. Make all the excuses you want but this is totally a disgrace to Gymnastics just like the Judging in the Olympics of Ice Skating a few years ago. This exposes the corruption in these sports that are "Judged". USA And Germany were riped off no doubt about it. High start level or not both the Gold and Bronze should not have even gotten a metal in the Vault.

[DF]

Saw the same thing...it's really too bad.

[Cohodependent]

That is why in my mind gymnastics is not a sport! Just like figure skating. When the judging is subjective there is no way to make it fair and it should be gone. But I have say that it is fun to watch, but it is not a sport. Was it at the Salt Lake events that the judges fixed scores? Way too many chances of results being fixed.

I had to stop watching the boxing for the same reasons. The scoring seems to be some kind of magic, also a sport that has to go.

[maniacmikey]

I enjoy watching these women complete moves that I couldn't do if I fell off my roof.

[salmonfisher77]

Add it on the list with NBA and NFL and MLB!

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

Next you are going to tell me that pro wrestling is fixed

[salmonfisher77]

Come on, I wouldnt go there!!

Originally Posted by *** Clerk

Next you are going to tell me that pro wrestling is fixed

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by *** Clerk

Next you are going to tell me that pro wrestling is fixed

WHAT!!!!

[Chromaflage]

Once again....the Chinese gold medal winner in the women's uneven bars had visible mistakes and stumbled on her landing. Nastia from US had a near perfect performance and stuck the landing. Both were the same difficulty. Scores tied between the two and some computerized tie breaker put the Chinese girl in the Gold and US in the silver. Can it be any more blatant?

[PapaHog]

Originally Posted by *** Clerk

Next you are going to tell me that pro wrestling is fixed

NO WAY!

[trout_bum]

YEAH ITS RIDICULOUS

[Spindrifter]

Not to mention the Chinese Girls are not 16.....no way, no how They said that one of the girls was listed 5 months ago at age 13, now she's in the olympics and her documents say she is 16. How is this not cheating? To me it is no different than doping....

[CATCH AND EAT]

Watched the uneven bars competition last night. I felt like the Chinese girl was good but she looked real choppy in her performance and the side step was more than obvious to everyone except the judges. This should have been contested by the US team and yet they let them get away with this kind of judging.

And I do not understand why there cannot be a tie. What a stupid rule. And no possibility of a "10". Ridiculous.

[backlash442]

Told my son before the Olympics started that there would be some sort of controversy with judging involving Chinese atheletes. Guaranteed. She got ripped off. But hey they said that in Atlanta the US had home field advantage back then so I guess it evens out.

[byebyeducky]

I totally agree that the judging was not fair. Nastia desrves at least two golds that she did not get. On the other hand, the chinese gymnest were great as well, and some of them had great personality to go with thier talent. I was glad that they did not contest it, she took her medals with pride and as a result got way more respect than if she would have been a poor loser. I can't imagine the feeling of loss when you know you should have really won, but again, she handled very maturely.

[Reel_Big_Fish]

I didn't see the actual performances, but I heard that the landings don't really matter. It is their routine and the difficulty of it that counts.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by maniacmikey

I enjoy watching these women complete moves that I couldn't do if I fell off my roof.

At least we know you would stick the landing!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Landings should matter a lot. They use to anyways. The landing on the Vault the chinese gal did was horrible. Landed on her knees and still won the gold. I'm sorry, that is not what perfection is about. Bobbled landings are the last thing and biggest impression you can give a judge. Judge it or go away.

[Duckwheat]

I hate to break it to you, but so is figure skating.

Santa Claus is a myth......

A 60 degree water this year will come within 5 miles.

DW

[Reel_Big_Fish]

I think the landings should matter also. I was just relaying what I heard last night by one of the announcers.

[Big Unit]

That's why you won't catch me watching the NBA or the Olympics.

Too many examples of this to mention. Sickens the stomach.

Rather go shoot my bow!

BU

[Crayfin]

I admit..single guy..home alone..I watched The Chinese girl that took the bronze actually had a really good routine--better than the girl that took the gold I thought. USA got ripped off again!! The Chinese girl was already smiling when she saw it was a tie...hmm...makes you wonder huh

[bad habit]

good to see discussion , thats how we can fix these problems , put this injustice to an end .

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by bad habit

good to see discussion , thats how we can fix these problems , put this injustice to an end .

Hear hear, great discussions.

[Seefood Man]

"The Olympics are rigged!!"

The Olympics are being held in China, what is the surprise?

BTW if you want to see a really fast 200 yard dash just open the cells of their political prisoners

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by Seefood Man

BTW if you want to see a really fast 200 yard dash just open the cells of their political prisoners

Are they 16 years old?

[Ryan Pultz]

As long as I can watch woman’s beach volley ball Who cares who wins Go Brazil

[Go_Getter]

Originally Posted by Reel_Big_Fish

I didn't see the actual performances, but I heard that the landings don't really matter. It is their routine and the difficulty of it that counts.

Seemed like they mattered when the USA Girl fell on her ARS in the team competition? Only matters if you are NOT Chinese

[bad habit]

Originally Posted by Seefood Man

"The Olympics are rigged!!"

The Olympics are being held in China, what is the surprise?

BTW if you want to see a really fast 200 yard dash just open the cells of their political prisoners

now thats worth having discussion over.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Seefood Man

"The Olympics are rigged!!"

The Olympics are being held in China, what is the surprise?

BTW if you want to see a really fast 200 yard dash just open the cells of their political prisoners

That sums it up.

That these games are being held in a Red fascist nation ought to tell you all you need to know...

(and yes I am fully aware of the 1938 games in **** Germany...you'd think we'd learn)

[BW]

Not to start something here but,,,,,,, in the Olympics judged events a country can't have a judge and finalist in the same event.

So what is happening is less than experienced judges are being used and mistakes are being made.

By the way Fascists and Comunists are not the same thing. If fact they don't get along at all.

[HammondSeaRanger]

Let the Lynch'n begin ....

[backlash442]

Well if you watched last night you have to be wondering how the Chinese could win the high bar event when the American did virtually nothing wrong and did some insane manuvers.

Judges are most certainly influenced by the crowds or by the atheletes reputation. Some times that reputation precedes the athelete. Cuba was handing out 10's in the diving comeptition to the Chinese like there was no tomorrow. Think in gymnastics as well. Coincidentally, both Cuba and China are communist. Nah that wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Has North Korea always participated in the Olympics? What about Taiwan up until this one?

[Go_Getter]

Originally Posted by backlash442

Cuba was handing out 10's in the diving comeptition to the Chinese like there was no tomorrow. Think in gymnastics as well. Coincidentally, both Cuba and China are communist. Nah that wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Has North Korea always participated in the Olympics? What about Taiwan up until this one?

Yup that's it on the spot. maybe China can't have a Judge but all their Friends can. Don't forget China also judges when there is no Chinese...you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. "Less experienced juges"...LMOL! When common people can see it's not about experience!

[Hook-Line-N-Sinker]

Originally Posted by Go_Getter

Yup that's it on the spot. maybe China can't have a Judge but all their Friends can. Don't forget China also judges when there is no Chinese...you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. "Less experienced juges"...LMOL! When common people can see it's not about experience!

Keep in mind that the judges don't get to see replay after replay after replay in slow motion to see every single little error that we get to see up close on our 60" plasma high-def TV's. They are watching live and taking notes as they watch the athletes perform.

What they do know in advance, is the difficulty of the routine about to be performed and the start value assigned to those routines. Deductions are taken off from there.

I haven't watched for the past couple nights, because I too was frustrated with the outcomes, but I can tell you for sure that I would not want the stress and responsibility of having to hand out scores for those performances in China.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Ryan Pultz

As long as I can watch woman’s beach volley ball Who cares who wins Go Brazil

What, not a Misty May fan? Shame on ya.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by BW

By the way Fascists and Comunists are not the same thing. If fact they don't get along at all.

That's true, my comment stems from the fact that China has moved from communism to fascism - regardless of how the Chinese define themselves. Red fascists is pretty accurate.

[Big Unit]

From the ASSOCIATED PRESS:

Performers have complained that they sustained injuries from slipping during rain-drenched rehearsals or fainting from heatstroke amid hours of training under the relentless summer sun. Cheng (Jianghua) and 2,200 other carefully chosen pugilist prodigies spent an average of 16 hours a day, every day, rehearsing a synchronized tai-chi routine involving high kicks, sweeping lunges and swift punches. They lived for three months in trying conditions at a restricted army camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

From the AFP:

The little girl who starred at the Olympic opening ceremony was miming and only put on stage because the real singer was not considered attractive enough, the show’s musical director has revealed.
Pigtailed Lin Miaoke was selected to appear because of her cute appearance and did not sing a note, Chen Qigang, the general music designer of the ceremony, said in an interview with a state broadcaster aired Tuesday.


Ya, China deserved to host. The almighty dollar won out.That's why I'm shooting better. No Olympics here, just outside shooting.

BU

[Something Good]

Inexperienced judges! This is the Olympics! Shouldn't they be using the most experienced judges they can find? I decided not to watch gymnastics at this olympics. I wanted to enjoy them. The swimming and track & field has been very entertaining.

[Slobes]

Originally Posted by Ryan Pultz

As long as I can watch woman’s beach volley ball Who cares who wins Go Brazil

WOOOO!!! I wonder why that one is always on TV?

[onaga]

Luckily gymnastics and diving are about the only subjective summer event. The rest of the games are head to head. Pretty easy to see who crosses the finish line first.

[CATCH AND EAT]

China Cheated.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,407803,00.html



Bella Koroliy was right. The chinese do think we are stupid. And we are for not protesting this infraction.

That said, some of the worlds greatest gymnasts were under 16. Nadia for example was 14. I will give credit to He. She is a solid gymnast and a true talent. She is also a pawn in the Chinese lust for gold. Sad that they are getting away with this.

I don't know why I bother to watch stuff like Gymnastics anymore. Ice skating is just as bad in the winter games.

[Spindrifter]

In the future, I think they should just remove the minimum age requirement and it will level the playing field. However I am appalled that no one is taking this any further...If it was doping, they would be forfeiting medals. Cheating is cheating.

[roadsend]

Back in '72 I pretty much decided that the Olympics was pretty much the equivalent of pro-wrestling and stopped watching most of it.
What is going on now is the norm not the exception.
My flame suit is on.

[PRINCEMASTER]

Lets put this to rest:
The chinese were not 16 ,but no one filed a protest to dispute that point before the competition began as far as i know.
The olympics ARE politically motivated whether we like it or not.
Home field advantage has happened at the last few olympics...ours included.

When a country spends that much money to host the Olympics and make themselves look good they find every way to make sure their country comes out as well as possible metal count wise to justify the money spent.

Not fantasy...Reality whether we like it or not.

[Threemuch]

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

I don't know why I bother to watch stuff like Gymnastics anymore.

I know why I do. So I can say "Whoa" and "WOW" when I see people do things that seem pert near impossible to me. Heck, can anyone really tell the difference between a 7.5 and an 8 or 8.5? It is all really, really impressive.

[Dave G]

OK, the relays are not rigged (from what I can tell) so what the heck is wrong with our American women? Put stick in hand, secure stick in hand tightly, it is not that hard! I did it in Junior High, never missed. And in all fairness, guys, you are not any better!

[Fish Mode]

Of course the Olympics is influenced by team means, what did you expect with all the drama entering it? I just leave all of that aside, since most of it is hogwash we can't really say or do. All I do is enjoy the performance each nation has to offer of their best.

BTW, Alicia Sacramone should've gotten the bronze for the horse just because she's much better looking than the Chinese competition and she's my age too! Lalalalalalaaa

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Fish Mode

BTW, Alicia Sacramone should've gotten the bronze

That girl is a looker for sure.

As for the men's and womens relay teams I would say judging by their performance that they did not practice the hand off much. How horribly embarrassing for both teams. The relay is not an easy even and the hand off is hard. Why in the Olympics you miss something like this is just silly. Hopefully a lesson has been learned here.

Interesting comments from the commentators last night regarding the track and field teams. "they spend a lot of time living in the lap of luxury and perhaps that is the problem. No focus on what is ahead". Man that dude hit it on the head. Who knows.....

Very disappointed in Laura Wilkensons performance last night. Had me thinking there must have been better US divers that did not make the cut due to favoritism for Laura.

Comments this morning regarding the investigation of chinese girls gymnastics. Commentator stated that even if the cheating was proven most likely the medals would not be taken away. Now why in the world even bother if you are not intent on penalizing for the infraction? this stuff just makes no sense.

Kurt, you are right. It is still fun to watch and see what these people can do with their bodies. Incredible twists and turns and epic strength and body control. Just sad the judging is biased.

[kilchisfisher]

The Olympic judging has always had a lot of vote rigging, deal making, and plain favoritism. Just look back when the cold war was on. Heck, it went even farther than judging. Remember when the USSR was handed a victory over the US basketball team by an Olympic official who let them keep trying until they finally did it even though the game was over?

It'd be nice to clean it up so the best athlete wins, but it isn't likely to happen soon.

I suspect the IOC will have things to say about the Chinese gymnasts after the games are over and everyone has safely left China (and I doubt the Chinese people will ever hear what they say.) China is not a good place for speaking critically of the governemnt by anyone. Our preseident was even harrassed by the Chinese government while he was there to attend the Olympics.