[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;6466876]
The ticker on the tv also said “Brazilian breaks medal in shower” !!! ???[/QUOTE]
!!!
Can’t wait for that story…or maybe I can.
[QUOTE=RedMare01;6466627]
PD only had 2.8 time faults and Tiana’s score was dropped.[/QUOTE]
I believe Will’s score was dropped.
Yes, I agree about the second SJ round, that’s why the IOC should keep their noses out of equestrian events, they just don’t understand the disciplines and they make stupid rules. But the situation I referred to at the Pan Ams occurred long before there was a rule about the 2nd SH round, I guess we are talking about the 1990s, it was the year Mike Huber won the individual gold.
[QUOTE=DLee;6466904]
I believe Will’s score was dropped.[/QUOTE]
Top 3 scores count…both Will and Tiana’s scores were dropped (so far). The drop score could change depending on what happens tomorrow.
AnnFS - they all have a chance…the minute they mount up. Some countries are power houses in one sport and not so much in another. That is life, all have an equal “chance”. It should be the best no matter what, it is after all the Olympics. I am curious as to say swimming. Can anyone who wins a heat go to the finals or are there limitations there to help countries with out strong swimming programs?
[QUOTE=DLee;6466904]
I believe Will’s score was dropped.[/QUOTE]
Only three scores count so both were dropped.
Yes, it was heartbreaking. And someone who may have finished 10 places below her will get a chance at a medal instead. :no:
Is the number of eliminiations (14? 15) unsually high? Or is that just the way cross country at this level goes? I don’t follow it often enough to know!
[QUOTE=Beau_Justice;6466926]
Is the number of eliminiations (14? 15) unsually high? Or is that just the way cross country at this level goes? I don’t follow it often enough to know![/QUOTE]
15 out of 74 starters is actually rather low. The challenge for XC course design specifically for the Olympics is to make it hard enough that it has a significant effect on the standings, but easy enough that a lot of riders who are not as well qualified can get around and/or not get hurt. I think Sue Benson did that today!
For comparison Rolex this year was about 30 out of 61 and Burghley 2011 was 27 out of 80.
It’s about the best from each nation.
Each nation sends it’s best 2 or 3 or whatever into the final. That’s the way it goes. I have no problem with that. Our gymnasts knew they were sending 5 competitors and only the best 2 would make it to the finals. It was just a surprise as to which one didn’t make top 2. As you say, it gave a chance to the gymnast everybody thought would be 3rd to excel herself and play her way in. That girl from the DR still had to qualify to get in the finals. She wasn’t handed a free pass.
Letting more nations send their best 2 into the arena with the best 2 from all the other countries - I’m ok with that. The big countries know this going in, and it also serves to encourage participants from other nations to get their own people more training, more opportunities. I’m ok with that.
[QUOTE=flea;6466910]
AnnFS - they all have a chance…the minute they mount up. Some countries are power houses in one sport and not so much in another. That is life, all have an equal “chance”. It should be the best no matter what, it is after all the Olympics. I am curious as to say swimming. Can anyone who wins a heat go to the finals or are there limitations there to help countries with out strong swimming programs?[/QUOTE]
The top 8 fastest times go to the finals, however, the countries are limited as to how many they have who are allowed to even try. So if the USA and Australia have the 10 fastest swimmers in the entire world, they can’t all compete at the Olympics. I bet the Greek and Cambodian Olympians are not as fast as a number of Americans who will never make an American or Australian team.
By your thinking, all those Aussies & Americans should be in the heats and the Cambodians and the Greeks should just stay home.
But if the girl from DR had a qualifying score lower than others who then are not allowed to participate, then it is not the best of the best. I wonder which other Olympic sports besides gymnastics and eventing have similar rules?
I haven’t gotten to see much yet, but looking at the scores, Canada had better make their own medal for Jessica Phoenix… tough, tough weekend for them!
It’s the top competitors from each nation.
Not the top competitors in the world.
Otherwise, the Dressage competition would be a whole bunch of Germans and the USA would be sitting at home. :D:D:D
[QUOTE=flea;6466963]
But if the girl from DR had a qualifying score lower than others who then are not allowed to participate, then it is not the best of the best. I wonder which other Olympic sports besides gymnastics and eventing have similar rules?[/QUOTE]
But it’s NOT really about the best of the best. It’s about each nation having the opportunity to show off THEIR best. Every sport has rules that limit how many competitors each nation sends. Would you have it be different, then only the top three or four countries in the world even have Olympic delegations? What would eb the point then?
Lol, good point! Besides, if the US gymnast who didn’t make the finals was the gold medal favorite but couldn’t beat two of her teammates, she really can’t blame anyone but herself.
Also, just looked it up and this “no more than 2” rule (at least for gymnastics) is only since 2004.
In 2008 a Russian woman was also excluded. She was the 3rd best Russian and the 6th overall. So people who scored lower than she made the finals while she did not.
"The Olympic philosophy is “we want to spread the wealth, we want to spread sport to other parts of the world,” says David Wallechinsky, author of “The Complete Book of the Olympics.”
“Otherwise, there would be no Saudi Arabian woman runners or American badminton players.”
The DR girl qualified in vaulting, where she had the 5th best score of all, so she definitely got in there on her own merits. There are 8 slots, and the only country to have 2 who made the finals is Canada.
[QUOTE=Anne FS;6466985]
Also, just looked it up and this “no more than 2” rule (at least for gymnastics) is only since 2004.
In 2008 a Russian woman was also excluded. She was the 3rd best Russian and the 6th overall. So people who scored lower than she made the finals while she did not.
"The Olympic philosophy is “we want to spread the wealth, we want to spread sport to other parts of the world,” says David Wallechinsky, author of “The Complete Book of the Olympics.”
“Otherwise, there would be no Saudi Arabian woman runners or American badminton players.”[/QUOTE]
There can be Saudi women but I wouldn’t expect to see many. There can be athletes for each sport if every country decides to do so. However, there are qualification rules in many sports, if not most, sports. Some earn the right to attend through Olympic qualification competitions, some from earning points in approved competitions. Some compete in a sport because they have dual-citizenship and the second country has no one interested or able to attend.
As to the Olympic philosophy of “Spreading the Wealth”, perhaps Mr. Wallechinsky is speaking of Olympic Officials who became filthy rich off kickbacks. To make the IOC into some high moralistic organization is, actually, rather funny.
I love the jump designs! What’s your favorite jump? I like the idea of putting the tower of London jumps in the arena.
