tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post148996753112842621..comments2024-02-21T05:24:38.745-05:00Comments on Arabian Punch Front: Olympic Wrap-up Part 1: Why The Olympics Didn't Feel Like the OlympicsArabian Punch Fronthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01735831811715512825noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029743900531536148.post-10539303747069857622012-10-12T00:06:47.576-04:002012-10-12T00:06:47.576-04:00Great post, yet I do feel that some things about t...Great post, yet I do feel that some things about the US runaway TF victory were to be expected, especially in hindsight:<br /><br />USA: Their job is to bring home the Team gold. they focus on that, they train for that, and they know full well people back home care about that medal more than any other in WAG. Nastia's 5 medals in Beijing did not cause half the stir the Fierce 5 did. Karolyi is known for being meticulous, so no wonder her lineup and tactics were made to ENSURE USA brings back the gold (Verifications). Another thing is the USA capitalizing on the over-scored Amanar, and putting Maroney last, to prevent the judges from deducting anyone vaulting Amanar BEFORE Maroney (US started on vault, so only Wieber and Douglas) and make all future vaulters in that TF pale in comparison.<br /><br />RUS: It is now clear the team was in turmoil and we just didn't know. Alexandrov blames Grishina's coach openly, while violating the Russian "taboo" by staying the head coach for Mustafina (super-high maintenance). Add to that Komova's growth spurt, which sounded like an excuse, but turned out to make a lot of sense during her performance. Alexandrov said they (He) counted on the Troika to bring them victory, so no wonder they did not have enough depth when Grishina crumbled.<br /><br />ROM: Something bad is happening there, and now it seems Romania's priorities have shifted, and they no longer take national pride in WAG like they used to. What else can explain two 18 year old gymnasts with no health issues retiring from the team AND sport in 2012? or maybe worse, the fact that the team had to move a gym in the city, because the meager wage offered to the support staff did not make commuting to the country worthwhile.<br /><br />PRC: Not many tears were shed in London for China's WAG team. after The biased judging at the Beijing Olympics, persisting feelings of age falsification and rumored unethical treatment of athletes, who even wants them to succeed internationally? <br /><br />The real story of this Olympics (for me) is the the Vault event and how it changed everything, in ways it probably shouldn't. and not just in the TF.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com