I think the decision to award Hamm is not the right one.Michael deserved that one a lot more, besides I think the following statement is entirely pathetic:"Hamm also withstood a challenge by South Korea claiming that the gold medal should be awarded to Yang Tae-Young after it was discovered he was incorrectly scored during the all-around final."So now he is being awarded for holding on to the medal that someone else should have won due to the outrageous mistake.He acted like a little boy who sneaked someone else's candy and was reluctant to give it away even when caught.I think he should have given the medal to the sout korean.
And then it is Michael PHelps: not only did he haul a miriad of medals and set a world record, but also showed the spirit of sportsmanship by letting his team mate(Ian Crocker) have a chance at the medal on the relay team...
Anyways, here's the link:
swiminfo.com/.../9345.asp
Parents
Former Member
This is also why I like swimming more than gymnastics. Gymnastics is so darn political. (Not that swimming doesn't have it's political moments *cough Peirsol cough*) However, the Code of Points in gymnastics is difficult to understand even for veteran gymnasts and coaches. The scoring is so subjective. The judge has to see it to deduct it and that creates a whole other set of problems ... basically the best gymnasts aren't always winning. There are multiple judges and the scores are averaged ... I find it hard to believe that NONE of the judges noticed that he had four holds. Also, his coach didn't appeal the score until later. Paul Hamm was the best gymnast on that night and he deserved to win.
Going back to the Sullivan award, I do think Phelps is the better athelte, I also agree that I wouldn't describe Phelps as an ammature athlete, Paul Hamm either. He has some endoresment deals, too.
This is also why I like swimming more than gymnastics. Gymnastics is so darn political. (Not that swimming doesn't have it's political moments *cough Peirsol cough*) However, the Code of Points in gymnastics is difficult to understand even for veteran gymnasts and coaches. The scoring is so subjective. The judge has to see it to deduct it and that creates a whole other set of problems ... basically the best gymnasts aren't always winning. There are multiple judges and the scores are averaged ... I find it hard to believe that NONE of the judges noticed that he had four holds. Also, his coach didn't appeal the score until later. Paul Hamm was the best gymnast on that night and he deserved to win.
Going back to the Sullivan award, I do think Phelps is the better athelte, I also agree that I wouldn't describe Phelps as an ammature athlete, Paul Hamm either. He has some endoresment deals, too.
