Cheating ChiComs, Crouching IOC

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 15, 2008 10:33 AM

The good news: Team America won all-around gold and silver yesterday.

The bad news: the ChiComs will get away with their cheating ways and the fecklessness of the IOC will be given a pass.

My second syndicated column this week rips international athletic officials for turning a blind eye.

***

Cheating ChiComs, Crouching IOC
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008

I have an eight-year-old daughter. I know what eight-year-old hands and feet and hips and teeth look like. They look a lot like the hands and feet and hips and teeth of the purported “teenagers” on the gold medal-winning Chinese girls’ gymnastics team.

The two pounds of frosty blue eye shadow and Bubblicious pink blush that the ChiComs piled on the cherubic faces of their gymnasts backfired. Rather than mask their youth, the pedo-friendly make-up made them look even younger. Like five-year-olds dressed up for a Beijing Halloween Gone Wild.

One of the Chinese team members has an unexplained missing tooth. Explicable if someone knocked it out– or if she’s the only “sixteen”-year-old on the planet still losing her Chiclet-sized baby teeth. The coaches refused to elaborate on the gap. Take your pick.

Apparently, the ChiComs hoped all that iridescent glitter powder glopped onto the wee foreheads of the athletes would blind spectators’ eyes to the screamingly obvious. Lo and behold, the magic dust has worked on the ostriches who sit on the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They’re in deeper denial about cheating than John Edwards.

Gymnasts are required to turn 16 this year to be eligible for competition. Official records, ChiCom state media reports, and Internet data undermine the eligibility claims of at least three of the girls. He Kexin, for example, was listed as 13 in November 2007 by a Chinese state news service. Jiang Yuyuan’s birth date has magically evolved from one that makes her 15 in October to another that makes her 16 in November.

The sports world is in an uproar. But the IOC is covering its ears, singing “La, la, la, we can’t hear you.” Welcome to this week’s live-action performance of “Cheating ChiComs, Crouching IOC.” The panel, along with the International Gymnastics Federation, accepted China’s passports for the girls as iron-clad proof of their ages. They insist on ignoring the long trail of whitewashed documents online. Zhang Hongliang, an official with China’s gymnastics delegation, successfully stonewalled: “We already explained this very clearly. There’s no need to discuss this thing again.” Bowing, scraping Olympic officials have complied.

According to Sports Illustrated, the IOC has also refused to investigate a separate admission by a former Chinese gymnast who reportedly has claimed to have competed as a 14-year-old at the 2000 Sydney Games.

These sports bodies, intent on papering over China’s systemic flouting of rules for the sake of global harmony, are vying with the United Nations for the title of Most Feckless International Agency. They’ve swallowed China’s excuses that the pre-altered birth dates were simply record-keeping “errors.”

There’s no such thing as a bureaucratic error in an authoritarian regime.

China has a long, state-sponsored history of cheating by every means necessary and exploiting its female athletes, from the doped-up female runners of “Ma’s Army” to the human growth hormone-fueled victories of the Chinese women swimmers over the past 15 years. The revelations about the opening ceremony’s firework fakery and lip-sync switcheroo involving two more exploited Chinese girls simply underscore the regime’s threat to whatever is left of the integrity of the Olympic games.

The Olympic creed, articulated by Baron de Coubertin, asserts: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

With their head-in-the-sand response to the Chinese gymnast scandal, enabling international Olympics officials have driven the final nail into the credibility coffin of the games and turned the guiding principle of athletic competition on its head.

The Olympic Village has become China’s triumphant Potemkin village.

Swifter, Higher, Stronger? Try Smaller, Liar, Younger.

Posted in: Repression

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Comments


  1. #408825
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    They’re definitely not 16, but what are we complaining about exactly? They still beat everyone else. If anything, being too young is a disadvantage.

    I think we’re complaining about not following rules, doing anything for an unfair advantage, false paperwork – oh wait, I should be posting this in an illegal immigration thread.

  2. #408829
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech, there can be no real freedom.

    Close, USpace. The most basic human right it the right to acquire, possess, and dispose of property at your free will. If you don’t have that right, you are a slave.

    It really is that simple.

  3. #408834
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    I think we’re complaining about not following rules, doing anything for an unfair advantage, false paperwork – oh wait, I should be posting this in an illegal immigration thread.

    Why yes, it is definitely a multi-purposes statement if you ask me. Should definitely keep this in your clipboard!

  4. #408836
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, chapoutier said:

    The most basic human right it the right to acquire, possess, and dispose of property at your free will.

    No. Its your right to paaaaaarty.

  5. #408848
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm, cicerokid said:

    Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules!! why is china using kids? Because they are more lythe and make better gymnasts, that’s why!! this is another reason why I dislike competitive sports…

  6. #408851
    On August 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm, Gorebot said:

    That the Nefarious Buffoon Corporation is a fawning co-conspirator in this Chink-O-Rama is no surprise.

    It is, after all, the network that employs Keith Olberdoom.

    And besides, NBC wants access to that market in the future; and when it comes to principle versus profits…

    … well, we all know what the answer to that is.

  7. #408902
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm, right_on said:

    Supposedly, the age rule was enacted to protect the health and welfare of young girls. I can’t speak for anyone else here, but the thought of “the government,” taking away my 3 yr. old to become proficient in any sport, for the “good” of the party, is abhorrent to me. These are GAMES…the militant training style imposed on these children is inhuman by any standard. What could possibly be their reward?

  8. #408915
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    ThackerAgency said:

    These girls had to perform. They did amazing jobs and should be celebrated. Nobody else in the world has 14 year olds that could do these things. They need to get rid of the age rule. But I’m sure that the USA (which has outlawed dodge ball and anything that might have a winner or loser) created this rule to ‘protect the girls’.

    We’ll never know if anyone else had 14 yr olds that could perform that. Because everyone else seem to have followed the rules.

    And the IOC created that rule… none the less, I do think it’s a stupid rule.

    These Chinese won the all around because they are the best team in the world of any age. Nadia Kominiche was 14 when she won. These Chinese athletes were absolutely amazing. Some of the tricks that He did were better than any I have seen by anyone of any age.

    They weren’t leading by a lot in the Team All-Around. About a point. Sacramone made two big, uncharacteristic errors that would have just about eliminated the deficit. And the Chinese made mistakes as well.

    The Olympics is about Human achievement and accomplishment. It is about celebrating what human beings can do (without extra enhancement). These girls did nothing to enhance their performance except practice, practice, practice. They spent their entire lives on their craft and it showed. They were the best.

    Not exactly…. The games are about fairness as well. And increasing the number of gymnasts you can select from by expanding the age limits changes the rules. Is it surprising that the US and China had the best teams?

    Nastia and Shawn are also better now than when they were younger. Nastia would not have won the all around at 14, but she won today. She is the best all around, not the younger girls.

    Not sure how you know that, but maybe yes.. maybe no. In general though, women gymnasts’ abilities decrease as they get older and bigger. Though at their physical prime, you won’t see many 27 year old female gymnasts.

    It is about human achievement. More and more I find myself isolated from the ideas both here and on hot air. It might be time for me to move on. I’ve never been a fan of being so judgemental of issues that are out of my control.

    Why would you no longer post here if your views differ from some or most posters? I’ve had opinions on issues that I’ve changed after hearing a different point of view that I hadn’t considered. It makes no sense to me to bail because you have a different p.o.v.

    And yes, it is about human achievement. For those that watched, you would have seen the athletes from different countries patting each other on the back after good performances. Even though they were competing against each other.

    But this issue was about a country allegedly falsifying paperwork to get their athletes into this competition. A very sleazy lesson to teach these young girls.

  9. #408930
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm, The Master said:

    Why does everyone seem so sure the Chinese gymnasts are “definately not” 16? We are conservatives (or most of us anyway). We rely on facts, not speculation. So far, I’ve seen very little “facts” and a lot of speculation unfairly tinged with some element of sour grapes.

    What are the facts? There’s a vague paper trail on at least a few of their ages based on media reports of their ages that hardly proves anything. Mistakes are made in the media all the time. Suspicious? I guess. But not nearly enough in my mind to indict the Chinese team or the government. And certainly not enough to warrant the reprehensible ad hominem attacks on the girls themselves by Martha Karolyi, who wins an Olympic gold medal for sore losing.

    Even less persusive in my mind is that they apparently “look” less than 16. First of all, I’ve seen the pics and they indeed look young. But do they look so young that they can’t be 16? Not to me. Gymnasts from all countries are frequently tiny in size and look very young. What’s more, these girls start training hard at an incredibly young age and that can stunt growth.

    Basing someone’s age on how they “look” is notoriously unreliable, and even more so when you’re talking about world-class athletes with physical sizes and attributes that are far outside the norm.

    And while we’re talking about indicting people on how they look, have you seen how “pumped up” some of the athletes look? Must be doping then?

  10. #408940
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm, Digshot said:

    But this issue was about a country allegedly falsifying paperwork to get their athletes into this competition. A very sleazy lesson to teach these young girls.

    Why do you care about any of that?

  11. #408957
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    # 37 USpace..

    Thank you….

  12. #408961
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    Digshot said:

    But this issue was about a country allegedly falsifying paperwork to get their athletes into this competition. A very sleazy lesson to teach these young girls.

    Why do you care about any of that?

    I’m not going to lose sleep over it. It’s just a issue being discussed.

  13. #408962
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Digshot said, “Why do you care about any of that?”

    We should all care about the integrity of the Olympics. Or maybe we should just stop having them altogether. If we don’t care that a country follows the rules that the rest have to abide by, then what’s the point? China has some big issues, but we don’t have to go along with their deceipt. Otherwise, next Olympics, there will be more “stretching the rules”. Soon, there will be no rules. Perhaps doping will be the next thing to be accepted. Why do we care? That’s why.

  14. #408963
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm, hatfield said:

    Did anyone really expect anything else from the chi-coms.

  15. #408973
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pm, nero said:

    If America was in the middle of this scandal every country in the olympics would be up in arms and demanding an investigation.

  16. #408974
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm, Digshot said:

    Why do you care about any of that?

    Why does anyone care about truth, honor, equality, or integrity? /sarc

  17. #408975
    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm, Rob said:

    What is there about the American psyche that believes that our value system can or should be expected from the rest of the world?

    We worry about a Chinese girl’s age, Spanish eyes, saving trees, lounges for illegal Mexicans, or if a woman in Iowa is getting an abortion while the rest of the world could care less.

    The Middle East wants us dead, Russia is making a move, and China is now the big dog on the block.

    We need to get things shipshape here at home. Tighten our border security, get rid of non-Americans, strengthen our military, and prepare for the world-wide conflict that is INEVITABLE! We Americans just don’t learn. We think we are living in world sized Disney Land, but forget that in the Disney world there is a crocodile with a ticking clock just waiting to strike.

    World War I was called The War to End All Wars, and then there were more… and there will be more again.

    I remember the ‘72 Olympics, do you?

  18. #408984
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm, Mister P said:

    Why does everyone seem so sure the Chinese gymnasts are “definately not” 16? We are conservatives (or most of us anyway). We rely on facts, not speculation. So far, I’ve seen very little “facts” and a lot of speculation unfairly tinged with some element of sour grapes.

    What would qualify as a fact? Birth Certificate? DNA test? Passport? Even my Chinese coworkers “know” the truth. In a closed society like China you are not likely to get the facts.

  19. #408987
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm, Riffman said:

    I don’t really understand the age restriction – I heard some “expert” explain that it’s for physical and mental health. The physical reasons I don’t buy – they are going to be training constantly beginning at a very early age anyway whether they are competing or not. Mental health – the same “expert” explained that the pressures are too great, then later explained that the youngins may have an advantage because they don’t feel as much pressure. Which is it?

    I guess the best explanation I heard for the rule would simply be that the Olympics are for Men and Women, and most people would prefer to see more “developed” young women perform instead of little girls.

    I do think China deserves all the criticism they are getting and then some…

  20. #408993
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:04 pm, The Master said:

    “What would qualify as a fact? Birth Certificate? DNA test? Passport? Even my Chinese coworkers ‘know’ the truth. In a closed society like China you are not likely to get the facts.”

    Know what “truth”? There is not likely any way to prove beyond doubt what the ages of these girls are. Even US birth certificates can be altered or forged. But a birth certificate or some document created contemporaneously with their birth would be more persuasive as evidence than a few media reports and just looking at their photographs.

    You underscore my very point that there’s an absence of facts to support the highly-charged accusations of cheating.

  21. #409000
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm, The Master said:

    Apart from the controversy over the ages of these particular girls, I think the age restriction is arbitrary and bogus in any event. What happens to the athletes (of any country) that miss the age cutoff by a few weeks or a month and have to wait 4 more years until their eligible to compete? They could easily get hurt, lose their edge, or just plain digress in terms of skills.

  22. #409016
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, Milwaukee Mike said:

    Oh, you said the year of the monkey, not donkey…OK then!

  23. #409021
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    You underscore my very point that there’s an absence of facts to support the highly-charged accusations of cheating.

    Yeah, I’ve know millions of people who still have their baby teeth at 16. There’s some scientific evidence for you, good luck getting China to give up the tiniest of the 6 for scientific study though. I bet even if one of her baby teeth fell out during the competition the Chinese along the sides doing security would have it snatched up in no time flat to prevent any further questions.

    Anyhow, China cheating is nothing new. Just sad.

  24. #409036
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 11:01 am, max said:

    It’s clear they’re underage….
    maybe the routines themselves need to be changed to make them more grown-up friendly?

    great idea…congrats to the Americans who were honest and graceful in their wins!!

  25. #409052
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, Digshot said:

    We should all care about the integrity of the Olympics. Or maybe we should just stop having them altogether. If we don’t care that a country follows the rules that the rest have to abide by, then what’s the point? China has some big issues, but we don’t have to go along with their deceipt. Otherwise, next Olympics, there will be more “stretching the rules”. Soon, there will be no rules. Perhaps doping will be the next thing to be accepted. Why do we care? That’s why.

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire towards the President and all of the rules that he’s broken? Are the rules of the Olympics more important than the Constitution?

  26. #409054
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm, Last Massachusetts Conservative said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm, Rob said:
    What is there about the American psyche that believes that our value system can or should be expected from the rest of the world?

    Silly me, I thought truth was an absolute, not a value system.

  27. #409060
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire towards the President and all of the rules that he’s broken?

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire for Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, and other corruptocrats and all the rules they have broken?

    Red Herring thy name be.

  28. #409070
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm, Digshot said:

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire for Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, and other corruptocrats and all the rules they have broken?

    Red Herring thy name be.

    I do. But they’re not as bad as the Republicans.

  29. #409073
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    But they’re not as bad as the Republicans.

    /lawl

  30. #409095
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm, Salt said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm, Digshot said:

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire for Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, and other corruptocrats and all the rules they have broken?

    Red Herring thy name be.

    I do. But they’re not as bad as the Republicans.

    Did lgm get a new screen name?

  31. #409102
    On August 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    Digshot said:

    Couldn’t you direct some of that ire towards the President and all of the rules that he’s broken? Are the rules of the Olympics more important than the Constitution?

    I’m reasonably certain that’s off-topic.

    But you can be certain that we have more than enough “ire” to go around. It won’t all be used up here… so worry not. :)

  32. #409123
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Digshot said:

    I’m reasonably certain that’s off-topic.

    But you can be certain that we have more than enough “ire” to go around. It won’t all be used up here… so worry not.

    I was responding to someone’s thoughts about why rules ought to be followed, that’s all. And yeah, I think it’s a little ridiculous to be hyperventilating about the OIC letting some kids into the competition when domestic rule-breaking by own President is ignored.

    I read conservative blogs every day, and I whole-heartedly agree that you guys have enough ire to go around. It just never seems to be towards the right things.

  33. #409129
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:08 pm, dakine said:

    Get rid of the age requirement. Proof of age is always dicey. The IOC gets it wrong on many occasions, but not sure what more they could do here. The “doping stuff” is dealt with on a global basis by the IOC, but the individual sports federations dictate and administer specific rules such as the minimum age requirement in gymnastics. I come at this opinion having done a lot of work with the USOC and the various anti-doping agencies in connection with past Olympics.

    Also, Gorebot, not sure what coverage you are watching, but all of the NBC folks were all over the age thing and have spent quite a bit of time ragging on the Chinese. Sorry, you’re seeing and hearing what you want to see and hear on that score.

  34. #409134
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm, Salt said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Digshot said:

    I read conservative blogs every day, and I whole-heartedly agree that you guys anonymous commenters have enough ire to go around. It just never seems to be towards the right things I think are important.

    Fixed it for you. Did not want it to appear that you have ire for conservatives.

  35. #409138
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    I read conservative blogs every day, and I whole-heartedly agree that you guys have enough ire to go around. It just never seems to be towards the right things.

    If voicing the causes of: pro-life, smaller government, a reformed and simpler tax system resulting in less taxes and more government fiscal responsibility (ie no pork), pro-Constitution (including the first and second amendments) are not the “right” things then I will gladly wear whatever ad hominem you want to chuck at me because those things are worth fighting for and certainly worth discussing here.

  36. #409146
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm, JHSII said:

    Digshot – ok, enlighten me on these rules that the current President has “broken”. Particularly those rules in the Consitiution.

    As far as the Olympic gymnastics goes, the people you want to direct your ire against is the FIG, not the IOC. It was the FIG that made the rules.

    One of the reasons the age limit was made was to promote “grace and artistry” in the sport, with the belief that older gymnasts would be more graceful, etc., etc., etc.
    Then they proceded to change the Code to remove grace and artistry altogether and replace it with “how many difficult tricks can the gymnast perform in the shortest amount of time”.
    The 10.00 system was doomed from the instant they eliminated compulsories.

    Gymnastics wasn’t really broken to begin with. Now it is.

  37. #409156
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:22 pm, Floyd R. Turbo said:

    Okay, so what’s the alternative or answer for the gonad-less IOC? Isn’t there a governing body SOMEWHERE that can smack them upside the head and get them to enforce their own rules? Somebody?

    On a better note, great link on the “gold and silver” sweep story. I always get major blubbery faced on those “overcoming odds” stories…great stuff!

  38. #409161
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm, Salt said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm, JHSII said:

    Digshot – ok, enlighten me on these rules that the current President has “broken”. Particularly those rules in the Constitution.

    JHSII, let’s not let him bring this off-topic, please.

  39. #409163
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:26 pm, Digshot said:

    If voicing the causes of: pro-life, smaller government, a reformed and simpler tax system resulting in less taxes and more government fiscal responsibility (ie no pork), pro-Constitution (including the first and second amendments) are not the “right” things then I will gladly wear whatever ad hominem you want to chuck at me because those things are worth fighting for and certainly worth discussing here.

    So would you say that those causes, all worthwhile, I would agree, have been advanced by George Bush and the Republican party over the past 8 years?

  40. #409166
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:27 pm, dakine said:

    JHSII, good post…my takes as well.

  41. #409171
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:31 pm, Scooter36 said:

    China has the home court advantage, and our weak politicians won’t do anything substantial to reign in China, so lets just move on, its only gymnastics! who cares! There are more important things, like football season starting…

  42. #409179
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:44 pm, spackle said:

    This has always been the M.O. of communist countries in the Olympics. They think medals will make up for the utter failures of their regimes. Does anyone remember the East German “women”? They were so doped up they might well have been males. Their was a special on PBS recently about these women and how they are suffering horrible health problems because of the steroids and God knows what else.

  43. #409183
    On August 15th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, greenfairie said:

    Over on Deceiver.com, there’s more about the Faux-lympics…those little Chinese kids holding the Chinese flag during the opening ceremony were supposed to represent China’s several ethnic minorities. Except the kidlets were all Han majority! Like those butter-smellin’ bug-eyed Westerners are gonna know the difference! Ha ha!

    All they had to do to verify the gymnasts’ ages was promise them Jonas Brothers tickets. If they freak, they’re too young ;) .

  44. #409188
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm, usa_usa said:

    Cheating Asians ? Who would have thought …

  45. #409189
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm, graysonret said:

    Not the first time, there has been controversy over the Olympics, nor the last, I’m sure. The 1908 games were the worse, with even Olympic officials helping an Italian marathon runner over the finish line, ahead of an American, half-carrying him across the tape. Britain had a lot of cheating that year. Seems every one of the games has something come up. Countries want that “gold” for propaganda. To the athlete, it’s taking part, that’s the triumph.

  46. #409190
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, travlinman said:

    @ Digshot:

    You are a dyslexic dumb-apple who is aptly named. Your presence will always be preceded by an oderous whiff of that which is typically stuck to one’s shoe.

  47. #409191
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, IndependentTom said:

    The olympics hasn’t been about fair sports competition in over 30 years. So why is everyone in such an uproar?

    For China,it’s about presenting a business friendly face to the rest of the world. For the USA, the athletes are trying to garner endorsement deals.

    Follow the money…

    I havn’t watched any olympic coverage so far. The beating of all those jingoistic, nationalistic drums get’s tiring. It’s a distraction from the serious problems that the world is facing. (has anyone noticed that we just MIGHT be on the verge of a shooting war in Georgia?)

    “Bread and circuses” comes to mind…

  48. #409194
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:10 pm, Rob said:

    Last Massachusetts Conservative said: Silly me, I thought truth was an absolute, not a value system.

    I don’t think you are silly, that is a “cute” word. I would use ignorant.

    Read 1984. Truth belongs to the victor; they write the history books.

    Your American Disney utopia won’t even be a footnote in the “Great Koran telling of the of the Triumph of Truth over the Former United Capitalst States of the Great Satan”…

  49. #409200
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:15 pm, Goldwater Knight said:

    You know what the problem is…Team USA forgot to bring bribe money for the officials.

    Seriously, good comments on this thread. I see all this bruhaha as a wake up call, meaning The West should take the time to learn the culture and strategies of the Chinese. I’m really surprised people are that shocked about this.

  50. #409212
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm, lonewolf said:

    I don’t know when the age minimum for gymnists was instituted but I have a niece. a many time NCAA and World champion, who was on the US womens gymnastic team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
    She actually made the team in 1984 but was not allowed to compete because she was underage(13, I think).
    Now a thirtysomething mother of two, on physical appearance,she could probably still enroll in any HS in America without suspicion

  51. #409216
    On August 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm, renegadeoffunk777 said:

    I can’t get too offended by this scandal seeing as I don’t really agree with the age limit anyway. Gymnastics has a natural age limit due to the requirements of muscle development and coordination. Any flexibility advantage younger girls might have is offset by undeveloped muscles and inexperience.

    It would have been much better if China had honorably protested the age restriction. They invite criticism by acting like they are above the rules, even when some of the grumbling may just be sour grapes. The IOC should at least make a statement, but I don’t think they should take their medals. This is not like doping. The Olympics is a time when the entire world, scores of nations, all send their very best, and this year, they all got dusted by a thirteen year-old.

    She deserves to keep her gold.

  52. #409231
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:07 pm, Cristy Li said:

    So what are we going to do about it? Answer: Keep buying Chinese-made goods, thereby continue supporting the Chinese government in the process. –And cry about how unfair the Olympics are on this blog.

  53. #409233
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:08 pm, RetFireman said:

    What I want to know, is with everyone complaining about the judging, and after last night’s competition and the way the gymnasts were once again judged so disproportionately that I was shocked that the Americans won…where the Hell are all the protests? Why are they not being filed after each and every competition?

    Heck, Karoli was about to come unglued watching the way the gymnasts were being robbed of their scores while the Chinese were time and time again given far higher scores than they deserved.

    The constant phone calls and questions that the judges partake in after each event, the constant delays…were the judges just that inexperienced and stupid? Were they just that corrupt? Were they bribed by the Chinese Government such as the judges in the 2004 Olympics were by another country?

    The fact that so many people notice the differences in scoring, yet they remain silent on an official basis only allows the Chinese to feel vindicated by it and allows them to continue to do it in the future.

    The Chinese need to be stripped of their medals for both the men’s and women’s team gymnastics, and a serious investigation needs to be launched in any other sport they medaled in.

    It may be one thing for World Recods to fall, but to have China suddenly become such a medal winning dynamo out of nowhere, while there is such a blatant discrepancy in the ages of their athletes and the scoring of their teams can only mean that fewer people will even care about what was once the greatest coming together of athletes from all around the world, to show that things can be settled with sport and not guns, and done in a way that it will take decades to recover from…if it recovers at all.

  54. #409237
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Seriously, good comments on this thread. I see all this bruhaha as a wake up call, meaning The West should take the time to learn the culture and strategies of the Chinese. I’m really surprised people are that shocked about this.

    Bill Clinton is shocked they might use missle targeting technology for anything other than gymnastics instruction.

  55. #409240
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I have a niece…Now a thirtysomething mother of two, on physical appearance,she could probably still enroll in any HS in America without suspicion

    Phone number?

  56. #409243
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:18 pm, Rob said:

    The West should take the time to learn the culture and strategies of the Chinese

    America should prepare to DESTROY the culture and strategies of the Communists until there lands are laid waste and their people are dead… because that is what they are preparing to do to us.

  57. #409245
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:22 pm, IndependentTom said:

    Yes…fewer people than ever care about about the olympics.

    No…things are NOT settled with sport. With all of the rule breaking and unfair advantages being taken by the participating countries, it’s time just to call this what it is…propaganda to allow nations to feel good about their medal count. While I suppose this could be considered a de facto war, I doubt it settles anything.

    As long as there is money to be made the olympics will continue. Recovery is not an issue.

  58. #409248
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm, IndependentTom said:

    Leaning toward Armageddon, Rob?

  59. #409249
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:27 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm, IndependentTom said:
    Leaning toward Armageddon, Rob?

    Rob makes neo-cons look like pacifists.

  60. #409260
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:40 pm, Rob said:

    Leaning toward Armageddon, Rob?

    Matter of time… just a matter of time.

  61. #409262
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, Rob said:

    Rob makes neo-cons look like pacifists.

    It is just that the stupid, liberal fantasy land you live in amazes me. Sure, hope for peace, but prepare for war. China is preparing, the Middle East is preparing, Russia is DOING!… and America is going to give peace a chance.

  62. #409271
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:51 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, Rob said:
    hope for peace, but prepare for war.

    That is a far cry from advocating the destruction of China and it’s people as you did in #152.

  63. #409272
    On August 15th, 2008 at 7:55 pm, Tazed and Confused said:

    just keep saying…. it’s only a game… it’s only a game…

    When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

  64. #409277
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:00 pm, Rob said:

    That is a far cry from advocating the destruction of China and it’s people as you did in #152

    If I could push a button and eliminate the countries and the people that will one day conquer us.. I would do so in a second.

    Anyone with a survival instinct would. Americans have become weak and soft like those Italians of which Cyrano de Bergerec speaks:

    You—Good nature all around you, soft and warm—
    You are like those Italians, in great cowls
    Comfortable and loose—Your chin sinks down
    Into the folds, your shoulders droop. But I—
    The Spanish ruff I wear around my throat
    Is like a ring of enemies; hard, proud,
    Each point another pride, another thorn—
    So that I hold myself erect perforce
    Wearing the hatred of the common herd
    Haughtily, the harsh collar of Old Spain,
    At once a fetter and—a halo!

  65. #409290
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:23 pm, puhiawa said:

    It became most obvious when they were shaking hands with their American counterparts. Of course the Chinese could have used growth suppressing hormones.

  66. #409294
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:34 pm, wbwhaley68 said:

    We wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings by questioning them seriously about it would we???? In today’s world, its all about ignoring things like this with the hopes that it will just go away unnoticed. It’s about what I’d expect from the liberal world of today.

  67. #409303
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:43 pm, IndependentTom said:

    “The Spanish ruff I wear around my throat
    Is like a ring of enemies; hard, proud,
    Each point another pride, another thorn—
    So that I hold myself erect perforce
    Wearing the hatred of the common herd
    Haughtily, the harsh collar of Old Spain,
    At once a fetter and—a halo!”

    It seems to me that you fancy yourself as a “hard man”…fettered by the herdthink of contemporary society. And that you think you will be rewarded with a halo should the biblical armageddon happen. Your self-image is what you make it and I have no quarrel with that. You might want to consider that the chinese have their own “hard men”. Does the name Sun Tzu ring a bell?

    As far as the halo goes….it might be radioactive.

    Seems to me that picking a fight with an enemy who is at least as well armed as you are is a bad idea.

    Just my thoughts….

  68. #409304
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:44 pm, simcoe said:

    The IOC is as ineffective and corrupt, as any other governing group of greed-mongering hoards chasing after filthy lucre on the planet, and even more cowering and fearful of the governing bodies of Red Commie Cheaters!!

    Check bank records! Check for gifts!
    Check family member’s accounts! Check it all!!

    Think any of them are related to San Fran Nan?

  69. #409309
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:49 pm, rightisright said:

    For all you posters that seem to think breaking the rules are ok…you must be rino’s or libs. Without rules what do you have? anarchy, you can have my share of that crap.
    You free thinkers on here…there are rules everywhere…don’t believe me…just go to a foreign country like China or Russia and find out their rules, and while your at it, when you get back, if you do, did you like the rules you had to live by?
    In America we have to live by all the rules, like ‘em or not, if not there is a way to change ‘em, in China and Russia there also is a way to change ‘em. Conform or decide if you want to live any longer.

  70. #409311
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:50 pm, taylork said:

    Apparently, they’re cheating in boxing too

  71. #409314
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:51 pm, Rob said:

    Just my thoughts….

    Foolish chid, that is why I said I would push the button NOW if they would all die.

    The “radioactive” part is not too far away.

    TODAY THE MILITARY LEADER OF RUSSIA SAID:

    “General Anatoly Nogovitsyn said that any new US assets in Europe could come under Russian nuclear attack with his forces targeting “the allies of countries having nuclear weapons”. “

  72. #409322
    On August 15th, 2008 at 8:56 pm, dakine said:

    simcoe (and MM), as stated above, none of what we’re talking about has anything todo with the IOC at the end of the day. I realize it’s part of the playbook around here to automatically denounce anything with “international” in it name, but maybe try a little actual analysis and independent thinking every so often.

    IndependentTom, sorry, interest in the Olympics is at an all time high. Ratings are through the roof. Get a new narrative.

  73. #409334
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:04 pm, IndependentTom said:

    LOL…”foolish chid”?

    Sorry Rob…the bottom line is you don’t have that button.

    And Rightisright?….this country was originally founded by men who didn’t accept the “rules”. In today’s society the rules have been subverted by those elitists who know the “in crowd” in DC.

    If you think that your vote plus my vote gives us twice the political influence of David Rockefeller then I suggest you look again.

    Since we’ve had congressional hearings investigating the use of steroids in sports, isn’t this a bit like the pot calling the kettle black?

  74. #409335
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:05 pm, IndependentTom said:

    I doubt your statistics, Dakine.

  75. #409340
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:10 pm, taylork said:

    Since we’ve had congressional hearings investigating the use of steroids in sports, isn’t this a bit like the pot calling the kettle black?

    No, because we’ve begun to address this issue, whereas the IOC is pretending like nothing happened.

    Further, there’s a difference between atheletes cheating, and the governing body of a sports organization blatantly ignoring criticisms despite mountains of evidence.

  76. #409342
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:10 pm, martin.musculus(jr.) said:

    .

    #21
    On August 15th, 2008 at 11:01 am, Jewels said:

    And don’t forget the increased flexability, center of gravity, ratio of cartilage to bone, (not just increased flexibility, cart. is lighter…), the boost from the hormone mix on the 1st growth upswing, Which, in addition to other perks gives greater endurace, faster healing, more flexible “muscle memory”, etc.

    Note this is completely different from the phase2 growth upswing that actually softens women physiologically… that is, makes them soft and curvey. The quality of muscle tissue actually changes, and the strength/unit mass goes down. This is a change at the fiber level and … well there are a lot of other benefits to using younger compeditors, until approximately 7.5yrs, where you hit the point of diminishing returns.

    There are actually about a dozen physiological markers that could peg their ages to within 2yrs, (and some research suggests that it might soon be possible to get within a year). It would require a complete scan, which China would obviously have to agree to.

    Although, roughly speaking, if they have more than 15-20% of their 1st set of teeth, they aren’t 16+.

    #72
    On August 15th, 2008 at 12:30 pm, The Master said:
    The more I hear about this, the more it just sounds like sour grapes. The US women had their chance but blew it with a fumbling, bumbling performance. It just wasn’t their day. That’s sports.

    That might well be, but there is a reason to insist on following the rules.

    Any games are an artificial world, with the “reality”, the physical laws set by mutual agreement. For example, we all agree in Women’s Wrestling, only women will compete. Because we all agree to abide by this convention, the game has validity.

    The same thing applies here. If any member participating cheats, there is no reason compete.

  77. #409343
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:13 pm, IndependentTom said:

    Drudge has an article that says at least 168 million people have watched at least part of the olympics. Do you think that a network (NBC) that has consistently been in last place just MIGHT pad the ratings a little?. There’s also a comment in the article that GE was looking to unload NBC and is now reconsidering….

  78. #409344
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:13 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    sorry, interest in the Olympics is at an all time high.

    12 years old or 16 those athletes are stupendous. They should drop an unworkable rule and let anyone good enough participate. The world’s greatest swimmer ever is showing his stuff. Later on, the fastest recorded human will be running in a race. If you love sports enjoy. If you’re not interested, that’s ok too. If China cheating makes your blood boil, and you’re warming up the missles in Minot, uh, turn the TV off and go for a walk and enjoy nature. A deep breath wouldn’t hurt either.

  79. #409346
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:14 pm, chapoutier said:

    Drudge has an article that says at least 168 million people have watched at least part of the olympics. Do you think that a network (NBC) that has consistently been in last place just MIGHT pad the ratings a little?.

    If NBC were the one compiling the numbers, that might be a legit concern. But as it is, it is Neilson.

  80. #409347
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:15 pm, chapoutier said:

    12 years old or 16 those athletes are stupendous. They should drop an unworkable rule and let anyone good enough participate. The world’s greatest swimmer ever is showing his stuff. Later on, the fastest recorded human will be running in a race. If you love sports enjoy. If you’re not interested, that’s ok too. If China cheating makes your blood boil, and you’re warming up the missles in Minot, uh, turn the TV off and go for a walk and enjoy nature. A deep breath wouldn’t hurt either.

    NO!!! WE DEMAND BLOOD!!!

  81. #409349
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:16 pm, taylork said:

    NO!!! WE DEMAND BLOOD!!!

    Hey, Man!!! No blood for oil….wait, what wis this thread about?!?!

  82. #409350
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:16 pm, IndependentTom said:

    hmmm….you mean like MLB….the NBA….and the NFL have begun to address it?

    Puh-Leeze…..

  83. #409351
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm, chapoutier said:

    Hey, Man!!! No blood for oil….wait, what wis this thread about?!?!

    I think its about the DH rule or something…I don’t really know. i lost track after comment 103.

  84. #409352
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Hey, Man!!! No blood for oil….wait, what wis this thread about?!?!

    Sesame oil.

  85. #409353
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:18 pm, Rob said:

    Sorry Rob…the bottom line is you don’t have that button.

    Yeah….I know… but a happy thought!

  86. #409355
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, chapoutier said:

    Sesame oil.

    I’m not sure but I think that’s racist. Certainly feeeels racist.

  87. #409356
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Hey wait, these are the Chinese who make lousy dogfood. I think I still have my Minuteman III in the garage…

  88. #409357
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm, IndependentTom said:

    And the Neilsen ratings are drawn from less than 7% of households…they extrapolate the rest…and have had their methods called to account…

  89. #409358
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, chapoutier said:

    And the Neilsen ratings are drawn from less than 7% of households…they extrapolate the rest…and have had their methods called to account…

    None of which comes from NBC, so what is your point?

  90. #409359
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I’m not sure but I think that’s racist. Certainly feeeels racist.

    I am now playing “Chopsticks” on the piano while simultaneously pulling my eyes back in a slant to show my displeasure over the Olympics. If you consider that racist, fine.

  91. #409360
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:21 pm, taylork said:

    hmmm….you mean like MLB….the NBA….and the NFL have begun to address it?

    Puh-Leeze…..

    Um,yeah. The MLB adopted a new steriods policy last year, the NBA doesn’t have a steriods problem (marijuana is a different issue) and the NFL has had strict policy in place for years, just ask Lyle Alzado (well, he’s dead, so don’t ask him).

  92. #409361
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:22 pm, chapoutier said:

    I am now playing “Chopsticks” on the piano while simultaneously pulling my eyes back in a slant to show my displeasure over the Olympics. If you consider that racist, fine.

    Racist.

  93. #409366
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm, taylork said:

    And the Neilsen ratings are drawn from less than 7% of households…they extrapolate the rest…and have had their methods called to account…

    sans people watching Phelps you may be right.But I know that I’m wathcing the olympics a lot for the first time in since Dream Team I. (I’m honestly not sure why I care about teenage gymnastics or swimming other than I want our folks to beat the chicoms).

  94. #409367
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm, taylork said:

    I am now playing “Chopsticks” on the piano while simultaneously pulling my eyes back in a slant to show my displeasure over the Olympics. If you consider that racist, fine.

    I’m impressed you can do that with only two hands.

  95. #409369
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:25 pm, flutejpl said:

    Excellent post, Michelle. I’m particularly glad to see the information on suspected birth dates.

  96. #409370
    On August 15th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, IndependentTom said:

    LOL….so the upshot is that “We’re better than the chinese”?

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