The 2012 London Summer Olympics Thread

[JoeRedskin]

^^ First, the IOC didn't DQ the badminton competitiors - the World Federation of Badminton (or whatever the umbrella organization for badminton is) did. The IOC "took note" of the Federation's actions and did not contest them. (Sorry, can't find the link but just remember the quote as the IOC's response seemed rather tepid and did not seem to independently condemn the actions).

In the cycling, the cycling umbrella organization said: "It's okay. It's all part of the game." The teams competing against Britain seemed to shrug their shoulders at the tactic and accepted it as part of the cycling rules. The IOC again, did not dispute the findings of the umbrella organization.

It's a tough call to make any distinction and I'm certainly not going to try. Manipulation fo the rules has been around since the beginning of organized competitions. Sometimes it gets called out sometimes not. To me, at these high levels, it's more about the politics w/in the group than an objective application of standards. It's why MJ got the calls in the NBA, why tackling Tom Brady in a game is a suspendable offense, etc. etc.

Again, while I love, admire and am awed by the athleticism on display at the Olympics, I hate the cliquish/subject application of rules to so many of the competitions.