I’m sort of irrationally peeved that the Chinese team is so obviously underage. Bela Karolyi kept trying to talk about it with Bob Costas last night during the commentary section and Bob kept trying to change the subject. Lame.
But also? Since the IOC and the international gymnastics federation are not investigating, because the Chinese team provided passports that claim the girls are 16, it’s totally affirmation for the “cheaters always win” school of thought. Which is pretty depressing. Though I guess that’s the way of the world.
It’s not irrational, one is 68 lbs as a “16 year old”! And cheating is cheating. The last time I was 68 lbs — and I was a very small child — I was in 4th grade. I realize it’s different and all the training can put off puberty and we as Americans are usually larger (I may be making that up), but 68 lbs is insane. I loved this quote, Nastia Liukin, who will compete in the all-around final Friday, said: “Martha makes little jokes about it. ‘Oh, look at the little babies!’ We’ve always have a good laugh about that.” The Karolyis are awesome.
Shouldn’t they be embarassed that they lost to a team of babies? If I lost to a baby in a game of hoops, I’d cry, not laugh. If a baby tossed a discus farther than me, I’d go home with my tail between my legs. If a baby out ran me in a 100 meter sprint, I’d say, “Wow, that baby can run!” If a baby outlasted me in a marathon, I’d be pretty impressed. If a baby beat me in fencing, I don’t think I’d complain.
