Posts tagged Olympics
China Olympian Striped of Medal
Chinas gymnastics team was recently stripped of the bronze medal it had one
during the 2000 Olympic games. The medal was revoked after knowledge surfaced that the womens gymnastics team had an underage competitor participating during the 2000 games. Dong Fangxiao was found to be 14 during the time of the games instead of her registered age of 16. The bronze medal will now be returned to the United States team as part of the penalty.
During the 2000 games there had been evidence that China had fabricated documents and passports for more than one of the gymnasts on its team. However the evidence was forgotten about until recently when the IOC (International Olympic Committee) decided to reopen the case.
Olympic rules state that all athletes who are too compete must be at least 16 before the start of the Olympic year in order to participate. Dong Fangxiao had been outperforming her age group since she can remember and in an attempt to help her country win a medal she presented false documents to the IOC. Dong had been able to participate in the 2000 games and did remarakbly well for her age, however this issue has raised several quesitons. Why if an athlete is capable to compete should he or she have to wait until the age of 16? If not 16 is there a better age to set the limit at?
This break in Olympic policy raises many questions on the regulations that are in place for Olympic Athletes. For instance why would the Chinese government provide false identification? Why would the IOC not have caught this matter before now? What other rules are athletes being allowed to break? What do you think? Let us know
USA Falls Short: Crosby Comes Up Big
This is one of the best hockey games I have witnessed in a long time. Big stage with big players making big plays during key moments. It was a hard fought battle between the Americans and Canadians, this is one to remember. The first period was full of big hits and rough play with few shots on goal, with Toews putting one past miller at the 12:50 mark in the 1st. The second was more action; a second score by the Canadians made it a 2-0 lead with a goal from Perry at 7:13. The Americans responded five minutes later with a deflection by Kessler at 12:44. Third period got heated with team USA breathing down the necks of team Canada. USA was getting plenty of shots all period but couldn’t get one by Luogo, until there was 24 seconds left on the clock and Parise came through in the clutch to keep with the play and get one by.
Overtime break proved to be no energy kill; both teams came out hot, but the Canadians where out skating the Americans and getting good shots on Miller. Eventually Crosby makes a great play to slip by the defender to put a tight shot past Miller for the gold medal and to crown team Canada as the best hockey team in the world.
Crosby proves to be the premier player in the world and Canada as Hockey nation but I must say I was very proud of team USA and their hard fought game. Coming from behind on a team like that takes guts and pride; they showed that with the performance put out on the ice. All though we Americans won’t remember this game like our neighbors to the north, we will be looking forward to the 2014 Olympics and another shot at the Hockey title of the world. For more coverage of the Gold medal game. Check out: http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2009090030&navid=DL|NHL|home
Miracle On Ice #2 USA Hockey
The USA hockey team has been more then fantastic these winter Olympics but they have also remained quiet this past week, even with a win over Canada which is one of the favorites for Gold this year.
The USA team beat them handily with a 5-3 win over our neighbors to the north on their own ice I remind you. The USA team also has two victories over the Norway 6-1 and Sweden 3-1. Showing that this US team is for real and it would be a disappointment not to metal. With those victory’s the United States got to face Switzerland today.
The Swiss put up a hard fought game but the US capitalized on a power play early in the 3rd with a goal from Zach Parise. Parise later sealed the game with less than a minute left with a goal on the open net. The 2-0 win has put the Americans in the semifinals. The next match up will be between either Sweden or Slovakia. The United States will be favorites in there next match up. Canada would be an ideal finals game but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Keep a closer eye on this USA hockey team because this could become special. For more to read and highlights click here.
