It had one of the most calamitous beginnings in Olympic history. Now, as the 2010 Winter Olympics head into their final weekend, they are on their way to being celebrated as one of the best in history. …
That’s how most Canadians are feeling right now. Even the taxpayers from Vancouver … and they normally complain about everything.
Most of the hate I’m seeing online is directed towards NBC TV, especially their decision to tape delay coverage. People want real time live video in 2010. On the other hand, ratings have been far better than expected. The American Brian Williams left Canada a nice thank-you note.
UPDATE: Kyle Shewfelt points out this would have been one of the highest AA scores at the last World Championships. Nathan, after some problems day 2, did go on to claim the Elite Canada Championships crown.
There’s been controversy in Canada over the Own The Podium program, a 5yr, $120 million supplimentary investment in high performance Olympic sport. Much was copied from programs in Australia and the U.S.A.
Personally I agree with Olympic great Ken Reed:
… The intent of Canada’s Own The Podium program has become lost – or perhaps obscured – with the focus on the medal count. Yes, it was always about trying to win more medals than anyone in 2010. But from the get-go, it was clearly stated that this was a stretch goal – an ambitious target intended to galvanize our nation, inspire our athletes, focus our funding and build a foundation of partnership. …
… OTP is an overwhelming success. We have delivered funding, coaching resources, technology, preparation and team unity to build an environment for success. Regardless of the medal count, this is a fact. Canada’s team was prepared. …
On the other hand, decisions have already been made to change leadership, perhaps shift the focus of Own the Podium, and possibly even changing the much mocked name.
UPDATE: The U.S.A. owned the podium at this Olympics. Germany was fantastic, too. Congratulations. But Canadians are not disappointed with our results, overall. And once we defeat the States today in Men’s Hockey, we’ll have the most Gold medals for any host nation in Olympic history.
… Most of my friends are convinced that the upstart Americans will win Hockey. But I’m not worried.
Now … the IOC is in a much easier position to pull the Team and Individual medal from Sydney. IOC must choose to support either China or the International Gymnastics Federation. They’ll back FIG.
China has no influence over Dong Fangxiao because she lives in New Zealand. She and her husband have admitted she was underage. How can China think they can sustain this lie now?
Obviously the correct response for Beijing would have been to fire the coaches and administrators from 2000. And apologize. Since that didn’t happen, … I’m guessing China has more skeletons in the closet.
Let’s assume one of the “fall guys” they would have fired got angry and decides to reveal other rules violations. Age of athletes in 2008, Beijing, for example. …
Recall Brian McKeever, the legally blind skier who qualified for the Canadian Men’s Olympic Cross Country Ski Team?
As of this morning, he’s been dropped from the Team.
… Canadian cross-country ski coaches met Friday night to consider their lineup for Sunday’s final event, the men’s 50-kilometres. The decision was made to go with Ivan Babikov, Alex Harvey, George Grey and Devon Kershaw. Since no nation is allowed to field more than four racers in a cross-country event that means McKeever will not become the first winter athlete to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Team manager Dave Wood along with head coach Inge Braten were unavailable for comment Friday night. Earlier in the day, Braten spoke to the Canadian Press and said he had to be professional “and choose the guys who are the best for the 50-km. Normally, sorry to say, all four are faster than Brian. And I think they can fight for a medal, all four of them. And then I have to pick out one who has a medal chance and put in Brian? That’s the situation. I don’t like it.” …
How will the qualification process work? How is USAG going to choose gymnasts?
The first annual YOG (Youth Olympic Games) will be hosted in Singapore between 14 and 26 August 14-26th, 2010. That’s 3,600 athletes between 14 and 18 years of age from 205 National Olympic Committees.
Only 1 male and 1 female athlete will compete for each country in individual disciplines. All 26 sports on the London 2012 Olympic Games programme will be hosted.
Surprisingly, Michael Phelps was name official ambassador for YOG by the IOC. An effort to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.
Women: born between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1995
Athletes who have participated at FIG Senior competitions or multisport games (including continental championships and world cup events) may not participate …
The athlete selected to represent the US at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will be determined from among the age eligible athletes by the selection committee immediately following the conclusion of the US Classic competition in July 2010.
The following criteria will be used to determine the YOG athlete and replacement athletes.
• All Around rank order at the 2010 US Classic Meet
• All Around Rank order using the YOG competition rules
May 2009 3
• Past International Results …
… It’s all in how you raise them from the beginning. When it comes to controlling the fear factor as we teach the “scary” skills, progressions and the right training stations are critical. Our station for the split leap on balance beam is one such example.
A lot of good scores so far this weekend. The NCAA Team Championship competition is going to be awesome.
Vanessa Zamarripa, the Pac-10 Gymnast of the Week the last two weeks in a row, scored a perfect 10.0 on vault this weekend. Her team, UCLA, hit all 26 routines (24-for-24 in competition, 2-for-2 in exhibition).
photos Jamie Deetscreek, Utah
Utah senior Jamie Deetscreek followed the worst meet of her collegiate career with one of her best.
Deetscreek scored a 39.225 in the all-around and had a crucial 9.925 on the balance beam to help the No. 9 Utes beat BYU 195.925-194.375 Friday …
In fact, Utah nearly lost tonight 195.925-194.375 over BYU. Congrats BYU!
… the No. 2 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team beat No. 12 Kentucky in Memorial Coliseum, 197.225-195.650. The Crimson Tide scored a 49.65 on the vault, its highest total since 2004 and its second highest vault score ever during the regular season. It was Alabama’s fourth 197-plus score of the season, the most in the nation this season.
Senior Morgan Dennis led the way with a 9.975 on the vault and a 39.55 in the all-around. …
Gymnastics Examiner posted a good overview of the Chinese age falsification investigation:
… Yang, who is married to 2008 men’s Olympic all-around champion Yang Wei, was said to be 16 in Sydney. But in 2008 she gave an interview on Chinese television and stated that she was 14 when she competed at the Olympics. Yang later said she misspoke. She also won a bronze medal on uneven bars at the Sydney Games. …
I don’t believe for a second that Yang Yun was old enough for the 2000 Olympics. My guess is that she will admit her actual age in the massive media onslaught to come.
If China and her teammate are to be punished, I don’t think she and her Olympic Champion husband will stay quiet. He’s a national hero there.
Dong Fangxiao was 14 during the Sydney Games, according to an investigation by the International Gymnastics Federation. Gymnasts must be 16 during the Olympic year to compete.
A second gymnast on the 2000 squad, Yang Yun, also was suspected of being underage. But there was insufficient evidence her age had been falsified, and the FIG said it was giving her a warning.
The FIG has “cancelled” all of Dong’s results from Sydney and forwarded its investigation to the International Olympic Committee. Because the case involves the Olympics, it is up to the IOC to decide if China should lose any medals.
The IOC has said previously it would take “necessary measures” if any gymnasts were found to be underage. The United States was fourth at the Sydney Games.
“We can confirm that we have received the ruling from the FIG in the case concerning Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun, and we take due note of their decision,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. “Clearly, we need to take time to consider the findings before the Executive Board can consider the matter. …
Most gymnastics experts feel the age requirement is the wrong way to protect young gymnasts around the world. But if FIG is going to make stupid rules, they should enforce them.
Next … why was Yang Yun found innocent? I saw muchmore convincing “evidence” that she was underage than for her teammate.
And will IOC actually strip Dong Fangxiao and the Chinese Olympic Team of their 2000 Olympic medals?
