Beijing Olympics

[TooFarTampa]

OK- I have an Olympics confession to make. I think the underage Chinese gymnasts sent me over the edge with the gymnastics. I have always been creeped out by women's gymnastics (ok- be honest- children's gymnatics). It is not just China and Russia- the USA is just as guilty in basically "factory farming" these little girls into gymnastics machines- ruining their bodies and minds at such a young age. Between the eating disorders and injuries that ruin them for life, I can't be a gymnastics fan. It is just a yucky sport.

I agree with much of that. I feel like the Chinese authorities are probably holding those poor girls' parents at gunpoint or something, lest they tell the truth about their ages. I don't like the grip that the Karolyis have on the U.S. team. It appears there are other coaches who are working their way up in the system, which is a good thing.

Shawn Johnson seems to have a relatively normal upbringing, with great parents, and she and Nastia sure looked like impressive young girls/ladies. So that was very refreshing to see.

As for the sport itself ... I am a former competitive gymnast, and trust me when I tell you that some people are meant to just hang upside down, do flips and bounce all over the place. I am one of them ... when I got too tall, I successfully segued into competitive diving, which is much easier on the body and mentality. Katiefunn will be doing tumbling classes as soon as she is able because she is telling me that is what she wants to do. (I did not even think about it until she started climbing, dangling from the monkey bars, and doing splits without prompting.) I tell you it is something you are born with. It is just some sort of internal need to hang upside down. It is very therapeutic and lots of funn, unless your coach is a Karolyi.

 

[Mango]

Hello, I'm Mango and was an endorphin junkie who ran competitive track and field. Then I realized I would never outgrow my duck feet, place well enough for the Olympics, and quit.

Yes, I was taken back by the obvious disregard for the rules. I believe her name was Lin Lin, and she didn't look a day over 13 at best. But who was going to question the host country who obviously produced their passports? What an enormous amount of pressure for such youngsters. Everyone was there to see them gold and they had to deliver. Even here in the States parents can even place an enormous amount of expectation on their children to win or enter a sport. But, if a child really takes an interest in a sport and enjoys it, it can be extremely rewarding learning teammanship and discipline.

Now I am aging myself, but didn't Bela Carolyi coach Nadia Comanechi?

 

[highwayjunkie]

I think considering the hurtles the mens gymnastics had to overcome ( injuries being the big one) to even place a medal, it was only normal to get pumped up and excited. I think that there is juuust a little to much of a negative spirit on this thread. You should be proud of our guys (AND GIRLS). What about when guys in the NFL bang their helmets and talk all that smack? I don't hear many people complaining...nope, they call up their friends and have a party! Hey, I love it... that is the true heart of a competitive spirit, wanting to win. Some celebrate quietly, and others are more vocal. Try to think about it like this. If you were up there shooting for a medal as the UNDERDOG....would you just sit on your hands and whisper to your fellow team member, hey shhhhhh, get pumped up? I love it!! USA!!!!

 

[TooFarTampa]

I think considering the hurtles the mens gymnastics had to overcome ( injuries being the big one) to even place a medal, it was only normal to get pumped up and excited. I think that there is juuust a little to much of a negative spirit on this thread. You should be proud of our guys (AND GIRLS). What about when guys in the NFL bang their helmets and talk all that smack? I don't hear many people complaining...nope, they call up their friends and have a party! Hey, I love it... that is the true heart of a competitive spirit, wanting to win. Some celebrate quietly, and others are more vocal. Try to think about it like this. If you were up there shooting for a medal as the UNDERDOG....would you just sit on your hands and whisper to your fellow team member, hey shhhhhh, get pumped up? I love it!! USA!!!!

Nice post. And I now agree with goofer that these are the most exciting Olympics I've ever seen*. That 100 fly finish tonight? Unbelieveable!

*Disregard post No. 1 on this thread.

 

[highwayjunkie]

not to belittle their accomplishment by any means, a bronze is wonderful - but.....why was the gymnastics team so arrogant? they were danged lucky to get that bronze from what i've read in the paper about the team being put together at the last minute, etc.

"That's how you do it, baby!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah...We heard you the first five times you said it. A little humility would have been nice. Some of them seem to go from being very appreciative of the effort that the team was putting out to arrogance at light speed. Enjoy your bronze because I don't think any of them placed higher than 4th in any element...

i think there's a fine line between being spirited winners and being arrogant. i think a part of all sports programs should be teaching people to be gracious winners as well as gracious losers

Forgot to quote

 

[Teresa]

I have always loved gymnastics - maybe my favorite olympic event. well, ice skating is also a fave in winter olymp's.

the US teams have worked hard and have so much to be proud of! the scoring was a little scary, and the obvious commitment made by each competitor and coach and country is very intense when you really look at it - and I get jdargs points completely. kind of how football grosses me out but in different ways (its all for winning and making $$$).

I do not like to think about parents pushing children to extreme limits though. unfortunately this is true in many kinds of sports or other endeavors, all over the world including USA.

the announcer made a comment the other night that the chinese girls see their families once a year. it is a commitment that I cannot fathom. one of the girls wanted to go home but her family refused to let her - its a matter of family pride to have a child selected for olympic training, etc.

TFT - I didn't know you were a gymnast and a diver!!!!! did you ever do synchronized diving? what an interesting sport... glad katie has decided what she wants to do with her early life... who knows - maybe she'll be short and get to keep tumbling away.

 

[Teresa]

Nice post. And I now agree with goofer that these are the most exciting Olympics I've ever seen*. That 100 fly finish tonight? Unbelieveable!

*Disregard post No. 1 on this thread.

you are funny. and you and goofer are so right! so exciting! I've been blown away since the opening ceremony.

 

[TooFarTampa]

TFT - I didn't know you were a gymnast and a diver!!!!! did you ever do synchronized diving? what an interesting sport...

Ha, yes! It is interesting isn't it. I am still not sure about it as a medal event. But I guess if it had been done since 1900 instead of 2000, it wouldn't seem so odd. There definitely are skill sets involved, and when it is done well it is very impressive. If it disappeared most people would not care or notice. I did it in the late 80s when it was just getting started and won my age group a couple of times at the Sunshine State Games ... however that was no big thing since there weren't that many of us.

 

[Teresa]

Ha, yes! It is interesting isn't it. I am still not sure about it as a medal event. But I guess if it had been done since 1900 instead of 2000, it wouldn't seem so odd. There definitely are skill sets involved, and when it is done well it is very impressive. If it disappeared most people would not care or notice. I did it in the late 80s when it was just getting started and won my age group a couple of times at the Sunshine State Games ... however that was no big thing since there weren't that many of us.

pic pleeeze... love hearing this about you!

now, speaking of pics, where is RO? is he still in sowal? I saw TFT's face. Will see paula's face in a few days. I need to see Otter's face.

TFT - your kids are too darling. katie is lucky she didn't get her cheek pinched by the short italian. I had my eye on her cheeks and even admitted to punzy about how poor katie's cheeks were at serious risk.

 

[Miss Kitty]

...loved TFT's confession! I would have been way over the moon if you had been a synchronized swimmer girl! I just love all that makeup, slicked back hair and the NOSEPLUGS...really fires me up!