Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Peter — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:58:17 GMT

Since you mentioned weight as a major component for divers, don't you think this has to do with the culture and the diet in this country, here in the US, parents want their kids to be BIG and STRONG !!

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Steve Firth, Haledon, NJ — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:55:32 GMT

How can we condemn performance enhancing drug use and ignore the age of Chinese athletes? Cheating is cheating and these children are products of a state supported system of "win at all costs" to the athletes (victims). Doping is bad but it is generally an individual decision. To have an entire country dedicated to cheating is reprehensible and should not be ignored (supported) by the rest of the world.

While I'm at it, what is team handball? I actually had to wait for a commercial to find out what I was watching. While softball is being eliminated will this totally silly and irrelevant game of "team handball" be continued?

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Dave C, St. Louis, MO — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:27:16 GMT

What makes team handball so "silly and irrelevant"? The fact that it isn't popular in the U.S.?

From an objective viewpoint, the rules of handball are much simpler and more logical than those of, say, American football - which the rest of the world considers silly and irrelevant.

Back on topic, does diving have a minimum age limit as gymnastics does? And if so, can anything at all be done to enforce it? Let's say that tomorrow we found incontrovertible proof that the Chinese gymnastics team has 12-year-olds on it... what would happen? anything?

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Zhang, US — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:30:13 GMT

I would say that Americans are generally very bad at guessing the age of Chinese woman. I was once mistaken as the sister of my five year old son when I have well passed my thirties. My husband got checked many times when he tried to buy beer.

And in general, chinese woman are a few size smaller than Americans because they don't eat cheese.

Why not let the IOC write a new rule book saying: anyone who don't fit in the typical image an American woman can not compete?

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Disappointment in Fellow Americans — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:54:00 GMT

Re: Steve

I'm sorry, but Asians look younger in general and the divers are definitely of age. I know it is difficult to tell when you did not grow up in that culture, but it's true. You can ask almost any Chinese girl and they will say they get mistaken as teenagers in their 20's and 30's. While the government supports the system, the athletes themselves have to be dedicated. They are not victims and their talent and drive leads them to a better life, as well as for their family. It's not as simple as what you may think. If you put in hours and hours of practice, I say you deserve to win (not a victim).

And without actual proof, it is sad that Americans are taking away from the Chinese gold medals, without looking at the mistakes committed by the American gymnasts in the competition. Just by comparing average weights, one can see that many Americans are overweight, while many Chinese eat healthy steamed dishes and are quite small and 'underdeveloped' in a sense. It has been this way for years.

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Jennifer, Chicago, IL — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:26:06 GMT

Being Asian myself I get asked (and carded) a lot everywhere I go. When I celebrated my 23 birthday someone actually came up and told me they heard i was turning 18 and told me congrads. Asians look young. Some of the girls on the Chinese gymnastics team look questionably young but I think that's just the way they're built. I'm sure they train like professionals and should be given the respect as such. And so what if those kids are a "state supported system"? So what if another country has a different way of doing things? (God forbid that should happen...) They're obviousley winning and proving that their system works. Maybe a more Machiavellian system would help us win gold next time.

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

van watts — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:50:03 GMT

There is right and there is wrong. Cheating is cheating. Granted no matter the age or size the Chinese gymnast are good and I give them that. But to force these children to lie is not good sportsmanship.Compare their gymnast to their ladies that carry the medals, they are from the same country and not that small at the same "age". What's wrong with that picture

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Jimmy, DC — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:42:10 GMT

It is funny to see how pride one can be when being regarded as "big and strong", yet when other is "tiny and small", he complains ....

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Gabby — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:57:42 GMT

I agree with the first comment. Chinese culture and diet is quite different from that of the US. In addition, Chinese people are generally smaller than those of Americans. I am a perfect example of that. I am 17, yet most people mistaken me to be 14. If i did gymnastics, I would be even smaller. So is the assumption that I am 14 just because I look that age true? Of course it isn't. Also, in the broadcast of the women's gymnastics, I am pretty sure I saw a Japanese gymnast who looked around the same age as that of the younger looking Chinese participants. But, the broadcast hardly (if ever but once, and the main view was on the Chinese) put that nation's competitors in view and zeroed in on the US and China. Female gymnasts, in general, are rather short and small-looking. However, I do not think the real issue at hand should be centered on the violation of age regulations. The Olympics is about sports and the athletes that possess skill and talent. Whether or not the Chinese athletes are of age or not, they obviously possess the skills. Their performance was just better than the other nations competing in the event. So, should they be penalized because their natural talent is better than others? In reference to performance enhancing drugs, those actually enable athletes to do even better than their natural talent, which is not fair to other competitors. And thus, is a different matter. But no matter what, based on overall performance and skill, all medalists deserved their positions. And, the Olympic Committee should really reevaluate their age restrictions on gymnastics for the future. If other events have participants younger than 16, shouldn't gymnastics have them as well?

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:31:43 GMT

I can't believe Steve Firth is actually comparing doping with being "too young". I hope he realizes that doping is not only detrimental to an athlete's health but it also completely destroys their reputation when it's found out. In addition, there is no glory in a win that is not achieved by one's own ability.
A person who is 14 (or 16, depending on your opinion) is of that age NATURALLY by virtue of being born 14 (or 16) years ago. Age is a natural progression and a part of life. Doping is not.

And the fact that you would say the entire country of china is "dedicated to cheating" shows how miserable you are. Is there any dispute that the Chinese athletes are good? Anyone with eyes and no particular expertise can tell the athletes did well. Without a doubt, they won gold because of their ability. Instead of whining like a buncha immature brats, we should encourage american athletes to train in harder and achieve gold in the next olympics. I think the american athletes should especially be worried about overcoming their nerves. I think they were too nervous in this olympics.

And to the best of my knowledge, there is no limit on the age of divers. (isn't there a 14 year old swimmer from britain?) So naturally, the chinese divers would have no reason to lie about their age. If they look young, well that's the way they look.

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Carl Minifie, Seattle, Washington — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:18:34 GMT

I'm sorry, are any of you losers professional divers? No? Then any professional diving judges? Still no? Wow. First gymnasts then diving. America, stop griping and whining. Hey, steve hearth or whatever. Did you know that the U.S has been the only country caught using drugs? hmm? and you, vann, cheating isn't cheating when they are not cheating. your analogy is highly illogical. wow. good job supporting china to the rest of you

Longing for the days of U.S. diving dominance

Jess — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:44:09 GMT

Firstly, before you set off on a tirade, get your facts right. Tom Daley, who came 7th in the 10m platform diving, and 8th in the synchro version, is 14. That's because the minimum age for diving is 14. Also I sense sour grapes; what's this about nobody else having a chance? The gold medallist in the 10m platform is an Australian. The Chinese do, in general have a smaller physique, and while this may (purportedly) give them an advantage in some sports (and disadvantage in others), but it's not cheating, it's natural. Tha is why it is totally out of order to attack the age of any Chinese athlete, just because they, god forbid, do better than their American counterparts.

For America to be doing so poorly in this sport, there must be something not quite up to par in the training and system in America. There are enough people in the country, but becoming a successful team takes effort. This article makes it sound like Americans have a divine right to be good at diving, and that the only reason they are not on the podium is because everyone else is a cheating scumbag. This article isn't even constructive, it just reeks of sour grapes.

You want medals, you have to work for them. And for all the controversy over the Chinese - whether it is true or not, it doesn't diminish these young people's achievements.