If you happened to tune in to last night's coverage of this morning's women's team gymnastics in Beijing, you undoubtedly saw the Americans set the record that quite probably won't be broken for some time. I'm talking of course about the "Most Disappointed About a Silver" Olympic and organized competition records they broke in their loss to the "yeah, sure they're all 16" Chinese team. Led by Alicia Sacramone, who was understandably upset by her multiple mistakes, even the perma-smile of American Shawn Johnson couldn't hold the team back from disappointment history.
The irony of course, is that the most disappointed member of the team might have come ahead of anyone on the U.S. team last night. Less than 12 hours after the falls and the missteps and the crying, Sacramone's dominating the talk of the event -- and not all in a bad way.
In a sport dominated by 16-to-18-year old young women with bodies typically resembling those of 10-to-12-year old boys, the world (or at least the part that overlaps with the UFC, Axe Body Spray, energy drink and lad magazine target markets) fell in love with Alicia, a 21-year old at Brown University and FanHouse Attractive Olympian, from the first moment their parents/girlfriends/wives made them watch the 2008 women's team gymnastics competition.
Alicia's failures in the main event (besides Michael Phelps attempt to become the most gilded American since Mr. T circa-1986) only insured her more camera time, not to mention endeared her to all those who couldn't help but feel sorry for her (any publicity will tell you, vulnerability sells).
In other words, while she may still be wiping tears off that silver medal, in the background the phone in her Beijing must be ringing off the hook from managers, marketers, agents, publicists, etc. this morning. By this fall she'll be able to wipe those tears away with millions of endorsement dollars.
Get ready for the Alicia Sacramone media blitz. Coming soon to a media outlet near you.
Team USA Stumbles to Silver
BEIJING - AUGUST 13: Alicia Sacramone of the United States looks on during the artistic gymnastics team event at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 13, 2008 in Beijing, China.
Al Bello, Getty Images
U.S. gymnast Alicia Sacramone is greeted by team coordinator Martha Karolyi after completing her routine on the balance beam during the women's gymnastics team finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008.
Rob Carr, AP
Members of China's gymnastics team, from left, Cheng Fei, Yang Yilin, Li Shanshan, He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan and Deng Linlin listen to their national anthem after winning the gold medal in the women's team final competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008.
Amy Sancetta, AP
U.S. women's team members, from left: Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, Alicia Sacramone, and Bridget Sloan pose with their silver medals after the women's team final competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008.
Amy Sancetta, AP
Members of China's gymnastics team toss team leader Gao Jian in the air after the team won the gold medal in the women's team final competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008.
Amy Sancetta, AP
China's Fei Cheng (R) shakes hands with members of the US team after the women's team final of the artistic gymnastics event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on August 13, 2008. China won the gold, while United States won the silver and Romania the bronze.
Lluis Gene, AFP/Getty Images
U.S. gymnast Alicia Sacramone stumbles on the balance beam during the gymnastics Women's Team Final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008.
Matt Dunham, AP
China's gymnast Deng Linlin, left, poses with team leader Gao Jian after the team won the gold medal in the women's team final competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008.
Amy Sancetta, AP
BEIJING - AUGUST 13: Alicia Sacramone of the United States hugs teammate Nastia Liukin during the artistic gymnastics team event at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 13, 2008 in Beijing, China.
Harry How, Getty Images
BEIJING - AUGUST 13: He Kexin of China reacts after competing in the uneven bars during the artistic gymnastics team event at the National Indoor Stadium during Day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 13, 2008 in Beijing, China.
Al Bello, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-13-2008 @ 5:42PM
Mac said...
WIth all the scandels about doping, and drug enhancements, I don't understand why everyone is simply turning their heads over the blatent cheating involved with the chinese and gymnastics. This is a horrible message to send the world especially when people have engaged their entire life to this endeaver. - Certainly a medical examination could verify the ages of these children, just as a drug test does in the case of steroids. This should be demanded by tihe IOC. Sad that it should or would come to this. Integrity, honesty has gone out the window in this win at all cost generation, and now has even tainted the Oympic games.
Reply
8-13-2008 @ 10:59PM
doug said...
I think the girls of gymnastic team shoud be very proud of what they accomplished.I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM ,THEY DID A GREAT JOB.
Reply
8-13-2008 @ 11:13PM
La Jolla Hoya said...
I agree with you 100%, Mac! Not only are the Chinese cheating, but the U.S.A. gymnasts are never judged by the same "standards" when it comes to marks during competition. I happen to be in the medical field and even something as simple as a few X-rays could help to confirm the bone age of the 10 year old Chinese athletes! Shame on the IOC for turning their heads. It makes me want to never watch events that are determined by biased or blackmailed "judges," except I'm too patriotic and want the Americans to smash the competition as one particular Frenchie recently said!
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 1:30AM
irishstu4 said...
Martha Karolyi lost the Gold for her team by distracting the athletes with her self-indulgent comments. Where was her head? The athletes need to be focused on their task, and not being distracted by a coach who lost her professionalism and was acting immature. Forrest Gump’s mother said “Stupid is, as Stupid does”, Martha Karolyi in one word “Stupid”.
The United States Olympic Committee should rake Martha Karolyi over the coals.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 2:21AM
bob said...
Man hear we go again usa crying foul , man they got beat by a bunch of 12 yr old , are u kidding what advantage does a 12 yr old have over 18 yr old , suck it up girls and admit u choked
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 2:18AM
cathy said...
I didn't know the minimum age required to compete was 16!!!!!!! I watched last night and my kids asked why those Chinese babies were competing! I had no idea! That is sad that the Chinese can get away with that - it is definitely CHEATING! If they're truly 16, then drugs are being used to slow growth/maturity because one of those girls looks 6! Our girls should hold their heads up high. They are talented, beautiful and they have LIVES that they chose to live. UNLIKE the overworked sad lives that China produces in their Olympians.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 2:48AM
Jerry said...
That girl choked big time. Shes done those moves millions of times..but when she needed to do it perfect..she choked.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 6:04AM
Andrejs said...
who knows Alicia Sacramone email..?
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 3:36PM
Marshall said...
I am so proud to be an American. Alicia and her team mates maintained their strong mental control while the game management and media did what they could to alter their focus. The media pointed out the minute flaws in the US team’s performance while complementing other teams as though they were flawless. I feel the media gummed down our teams while ignoring their incredible control and teamwork. Way to go Team USA!!!
Reply
8-19-2008 @ 1:46AM
George B Vieto said...
I told you so department. The American gymnastic team got screwed by the Chinese who used underage children to win the gold medal. I told you so means that American atheles in sports that are run by judges will get screw jobs.
Reply
8-22-2008 @ 7:16AM
Steffie said...
Well I'm from Belgium and I loved watching the USA gymnasts!
They did a really good job!
Reply
9-23-2008 @ 12:30AM
raul velazquez said...
oh! alicia
i like her so much
i hope someday meet her
i love you snoopy
Reply
9-15-2008 @ 7:19PM
SP said...
Are you serious me? I don't mind the article but some of the ignorant comments coming from some of you. Most of you sound like bitter people who never played sports in their life.
Sure, it was an unfortunate Olympics year for the USA gymnist during the team all-around competitition but because they had a bad day doesn't mean we disrespects those who had a better day. How ignorant and inconsiderate can we be? The bigger question is why is the world questioning these Chinese gymnasts now when in reality, past Chinese gymnasts (in fact, Asian gymnasts in general) have always been smaller and have looked younger than their competitors. It can't be helped! Yes, the Chinese government is also corrupted but what country's government is far from perfect? Why question another country's government when our own is just as bad but we are oblivious to it so we demean another country to make ourselves better off.
In addition, I can't help but think that these allegations only exist because the fact that another country won the gold. Some controversy is expected whenever a favored country in a given sport fail to succeed with a gold, but I never expected such superficial scrutinity against these Chinese gymnasts. An American myself and a USA supporter especially in gymnastics during the Olympics for years, I was completely fascinated with the Chinese gymnasts, both in men and women, and like all of you, I criticize the girl's age, too, because they did look fairly young to be 16. The difference is that, I am aware of Asian gymnasts for being relatively smaller than their competitors; therefore, I didn't let appearance judge their ages. Simply, there is no way anyone can prove anyone's age by looking at someone's age, agreed?
Overtime, I truly became a fan of the Chinese gymnastics team, both men and women, and have rooted for them throughout the competitions. Then, I noticed the commentors disrespectful remarks towards them especially during the women's gymnastics competition and I couldn't believe my ears. The news and the media also acknowledged the accusations with such negativity that it only overshadowed the Chinese gymnastics team's dedication and talent.
I thought, where is the sportmanship? Why so much disrespect and scrutinity? Has anyone even looked at the Japanese women's gymnastics team and notice that they are as small and look as young as the the Chinese gymnasts? T
he only difference is that the Chinese gymnasts managed a few medals, even the gold, while the Japanese women's gymnastics team didn't. Do people even know that Ivana Hong, who competed for a USA Olympics team spot and of Chinese ancestry is the same height and shape as the Chinese gymnasts? My point is that, it's typical for Asian gymnasts or gymnasts of Asian ancestry to be relatively smaller than their competitors. It's nothing new! Why is the media and the world doubting these Chinese gymnasts age now? Worst, why do they seem desperate enough to find any selective 'proofs' such as an internet document or report as 'valid' proof when in reality, it does not prove anything. Some are even willing to take this matter to 'forensic scientists' when in reality, facial structures and a person's height does not prove age, scientifically.
I was also highly dissappointed of the Karolyi's comments in behalf of his beloved USA women's gymnastics team. There should be a boundary between professional opinion versus personal opinion but the Karolyi's especially Bela, a respected gymnastics spokeperson, failed to separate the two with his disrespectful, rather biased, and inconsiderate remarks throughout the competition. By all means, cheer for your respected favored team but is it necessary to disrespect another team by ignoring their efforts and talent by only stating your disbelief and ignorance?
In addition, the commentors during the Olympics broadcast in gymnastics were also more than willing to share their disrespectful remarks and their rather ignorant opinion during the competition. For example, the commentors during the uneven bar competition expressed their dissappointment in the judges scoring between He Kexin and Liukin...one slyly said, 'beatable' after He Kexin's uneven bar routine. Also during the uneven bar medal ceremony, the commentors all shared their disbelief of how He Kexin tied with Liukin by stating how they felt Liukin should have won the gold one by one. How disgraceful and disrespectful! Where was the sportmanship? They also managed to mention the judges lack of judging experience or maybe it was Bela Karolyi who expressed this...either way, very dissappointing to hear and experience this happen during the Olympics. What I don't quite understand is that, some people wanted to force the age rule against the Chinese gymnasts stating 'rules are rules' even though their age are unproven, but when another rule was applied, the tie rule, and the result was not in their favor, the people then questioned it.
Even though I personally believe that the age qualification in gymnastics should be decreased to the age of 15, rules and regulations exist for a reason and most of the time, it's a good thing. Rules should be abided by and that's that but until proven, people should show the respect, recognition, and better sportmanship towards each athlete and those who participated in the Olympics!
Reply