Olympics 2012, in Londontown

Yeah, he probably should, but his reaction to the win and the kissing the photo of his grandmother was legitimately touching. I enjoy preening sprinters as much as anyone, but genuine emotion is also much appreciated in this corner.

 

Still. Douchetastic call.

 

No need for apology. Sanchez' situation is worthy of debate, considering he was born and raised in the U.S. and only competes for the DR because of familial ancestry.

Problem is Mark's too dim to catch that distinction and instead tries to stick every Carribean runner in that box. Sorry, but most of those guys that train in the U.S. are only here because our schools recruited them.

 

Look Stoney, I agree. Maybe it's time the NCAA put the clamps down on recruiting these people. Especially state universities.

I may, in fact, still have the letter where one out-of-state university rejected my admission application, stating "our mission is to serve the citizens of the state of ********". Fair enough, I see that. But I call bullshit on the double standard.

And Sanchez isn't the only one. I wrote a column in 2008 ripping a beach volleyball team competing for Republic of Georgia, when they had never even BEEN THERE. A reporter asked their opinion of the country's president, and they didn't know his name.

I don't blame the individual athletes as much as I do the IOC and international federations, who need to make some changes to their eligibility rules.

 

Hell, I didn't realize that Missy Franklin has dual citizenship since her parents are from north of the border - and I'm not talking Wyoming.

 

Another rant...... (really on a roll tonight)

Gymnastics (and diving) need to change some rules to give at least some weight to preliminary round scores. As it is currently done, all the finalists start even, regardless of where they qualified. (Sort of like figure skating throwing out the short program).

One Brazilian gymnast intentionally did a less-complicated routine in qualifying, so his score would be lower and he wouldn't have to go last in the event final.

Likewise, Chinese diving co-favorite Qin Kai totally bombed a dive in the prelims today. But, no worries, he made the top 18 and when the sun comes up for tomorrow's semifinal round, all is forgotten and everyone starts at zero.

But my MAIN objection is that the current format doesn't reward the best performers. It would be like making the World Series a one-game deal. The longer you go, the more likely the cream will rise to the top. In a shorter format, a fluke (good or bad) is far more likely.

 

Maybe. Not sure how you get around it in diving, gymnastics, synchro swimming, boxing, trampoline?

 

Can I just say Jesus Christ the biceps, triceps and shoulders on the male gymnasts?

 

Shit. I know this. And then Tony Sannah ripped the side of the net with a free header. Brain derp on my part.

 

Not the way it works. Can't wait until a stoppage/dead ball/ball OB to issue one.

The fact that it is acknowledged that both goalkeepers were warned not to do this made the call fair game. In fact, the communication makes it an excellent piece of officiating by the crew.

The called handball on the indirect free kick is still up for debate, however ...

 

Who cares?