Are you surprised at the number of athletes who are home already?

[Randi]

I would think they would stay until the closing ceremonies. It is all part of the Olympic experience and once their competitions are over, they would have time to act like tourists and attend other events.

 

[Microcell]

I wonder if it isn't monitary for some, there were stories in our paper here about the local athletes there and Maurice Green is probably the only one with enough money to stay!

 

[OhMari]

The owners of "Johnsonville Brats" from Sheboygan WI have been posting travel reports in our local paper and she said the "Dream Team" is staying on the Queen Mary where they are staying, she also said quite a few other American Athletes are also on board.

The Hamm twins from Wisconsin are also home. Paul was quoted as saying "he is to afraid to stay"

 

[skuttle]

I just made a comment about this last night to DH. I was surprised, too, that so many seem to have left already. I just assumed they all stayed for the closing ceremonies. I can understand poor Paul Hamm's feelings, though...what a shame.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

home from what? The Olympics? I didn't even notice that they had started. Who's Paul Hamm? Any relation to Mia?

 

[Dancind]

Misty May's pic was on the front page of our newspaper today. She is engaged to a baseball player here in Albuquerque, and was at a game last night. Yeah, I was a little surprised.

 

[Margie J]

It surprises me every time. You'd think they would want to stay for the Closing Ceremony. Many miss the Opening Ceremony also due to competition schedules or arriving after the Games begin.

I can understand for those who may have actual jobs to return to. Our local Judo champ, Jimmy Pedro, returned earlier this week.

 

[danacara]

You'd have to drag me out kicking and screaming. That's the experience of a lifetime, in my mind.

 

[CRB#33]

I can see why some of them came home. I'm guessing also that jobs, family commitments and monetary reasons were part of it.

I sure would have stayed if I could.

I also felt bad for the atheletes that didn't walk in during the opening ceremony with the country because they had events early the next day. The ceremonies are so much part of the whole thing it's ashame not to experience it all.

 

[LisaSt]

So has there been any decision on the Hamm gold thing after seeing it and reading all about it I think there should be one of 2 resolutions the other guy gets a gold also or they take away Pauls fair for both that way. Also see how many athletes have been caught in doping problems this year just goes to show you that to win you dope and I am sure all countries are doing it some are just better at hiding it than others are.

 

[CRB#33]

Originally posted by LisaSt
So has there been any decision on the Hamm gold thing after seeing it and reading all about it I think there should be one of 2 resolutions the other guy gets a gold also or they take away Pauls fair for both that way. Also see how many athletes have been caught in doping problems this year just goes to show you that to win you dope and I am sure all countries are doing it some are just better at hiding it than others are.

#1--If Paul Hamm has to give back his medal for judging errors, then we need to go back and review all sorts of judging contests and medals will start flying all over the place. We can start in 1988 and the South Koreans can give back their boxing gold medal for one of the biggest errors there has been.

#2---Just goes to show you if you get caught doping, you lose. And you lose absolutely everything you have worked for. Just the fact that their were so many caught this year that it is getting harder, not easier to get away with it and it not worth losing everything you've worked so hard for. Just look at the Greek disgrace in the 200 meter race.

 

[LisaSt]

I agree there are a number of things like that I feel all the sports that need to be judged should have an alternate way of scoring as there is way to many variables that can go wrong with it. I just think it should be doled out accordingly look at the figureskating medals for pairs when the russians won the gold and then it was found out about the judging scandal with the french judge scoring against the Canadian pair both teams were awarded the gold so it should be in this case.

 

[Broken8ball]

As I understand it, there are also space issues at the village. Not enough room for everyone for the entire time. They do some shifting. First weekers vs second weekers.

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by LisaSt
So has there been any decision on the Hamm gold thing after seeing it and reading all about it I think there should be one of 2 resolutions the other guy gets a gold also or they take away Pauls fair for both that way. Also see how many athletes have been caught in doping problems this year just goes to show you that to win you dope and I am sure all countries are doing it some are just better at hiding it than others are.

He should not give up the Gold. The judges made a mistake with his start value, but he (the gynnast) also had a deduction during his routine that wasn't given him. (he had 4 holds instead of the 3 that are allowed) The deduction for that would not have given him the Gold even if he had the correct start value. And why should Paul Hamm be penalized for that.


And anybody that thinks they can get away with doping is just fooling themselves...they will get caught eventually.

 

[shortbun]

Why should Paul Hamm be "afraid to stay?"
Does he think they will physically come and take the medal
from him?

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by danacara
You'd have to drag me out kicking and screaming. That's the experience of a lifetime, in my mind.

I agree.

 

[Kallison]

Yep I would be partying with Dana.

 

[vernon]

I think most of the athletes would stay if someone else was paying the bill. I don't know what the US Olympic authorities do, but the UK athlete's rooms are not kept on for more than a couple of days after their events. I think some of it is down to $$$ and some of it is down to space issues. I know a lot of the 2nd week athletes of Britain stayed in Cyprus until day 5 or 6 of the Olympics.
With that number of athletes to house ( and feed) I'm not suprised there are space issues.

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by LisaSt
I agree there are a number of things like that I feel all the sports that need to be judged should have an alternate way of scoring as there is way to many variables that can go wrong with it. I just think it should be doled out accordingly look at the figureskating medals for pairs when the russians won the gold and then it was found out about the judging scandal with the french judge scoring against the Canadian pair both teams were awarded the gold so it should be in this case.

I think that situation was a bit different though. That wasn't an error, that was a payoff! That judge intentionally scored the Canadian pair lower. The gymnastics judges simply made an error, and while it's unfortunate, I don't think Paul Hamm should have to give his medal back. JMO Isn't it also an IOC rule that if a medal is awarded, it can't be taken back simply for judging error?

 

[BostonTigger]

Originally posted by Dancind
Misty May's pic was on the front page of our newspaper today. She is engaged to a baseball player here in Albuquerque, and was at a game last night. Yeah, I was a little surprised.

Hey Dancind, you're from Albuquerque? I'm originally from New Mexico myself, Roswell to be exact, but I lived in Alb. right before I left for Boston. I use to perform with ACLOA all the time, back when they performed in Popejoy Hall. Wow, what a small world.

And I thought it was stranged that some athletes are already returning home. I assumed they would all stay for the closing ceremonies.