Gymnastics. Back off: Despite judging error, Hamm's gold medal shows no tarnish -- This is a must read on why Paul Hamm's victory isn't tarnished (by E.M. Swift). He pointed out some things that I think other journalists miss, especially if they are not experienced in covering gynmastics. Here's something that I didn't know:
So why not a second gold medal? Why not accommodate the upset Koreans and send everyone home happy? Well for one thing, you can make a pretty good case that, if you're going to go to the videotape, Yang shouldn't have won.Here's a comment from Morgan Hamm that Swift also points out in the article:
Yes, the videotape of the parallel bars showed the judges erred by assigning a 9.9 start value. But it showed something else, too. In the course of his routine, Yang had four holds on the bar, when the rules allow for a maximum of three. The deduction for that mistake? Two-tenths of a point.
The judges missed it.
It is not enough to say Paul Hamm should keep his gold medal. He's a deserving champion. Period.
Hamm's twin brother, Morgan, also a member of the U.S. gymnastics team, said Sunday, "I don't think Paul's gold medal should be tarnished. What he did on the last two rotations was awesome. I don't think you can predict how the competition would have ended if Yang's score was changed. How do you know how Yang would have done with the pressure of a lead?"Compare this article with others (like this one: Hamm should give up the gold) advocated that Paul Hamm gave back the gold or that his medal is tarnished because they soley focused on the error and that .10 of a point, but never thought about whether it would have really affected the outcome.
Here are other articles on this topic:
-- Did federation open a Pandora's box?
-- SI.com - Writers - Swift: Athens gymnastics competition no one's finest hour
-- They're All Setting the Bar Low in Uneven Sportsmanship Event
-- Hamm is perfect fall guy for Olympic cronyism: Gymnast is only one in mess who hasn't done anything wrong
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