Joe Chacon's Blog
Once the shock of Michael Phelps failing to medal in the 400 IM subsided from Saturday, there was a new wave of attention directed to a nine year rule in gymnastics that prevents more than two participants from one country to advance to the All-Around Finals.
One of the favorites heading into the London Games in the Women's All-Around was USA's Jordyn Wieber. The 17-year-old from DeWitt, Michigan is the reigning World All-Around champion and finished fourth in qualifying on Sunday. The top 24 individuals advance to the finals, unless you have two other teammates who finish higher than you for the event.
That's exactly what happened to Wieber. She missed out on the second spot on her team by .233 points.
The Olympics are supposed to recognize the world's best athletes. If that is the case, then why is there a limitation on the number of athletes that can advance to the finals from one country? To put things in perspective, Ashleigh Brennan (AUS) advanced to the finals with a score of 54.232. That is nearly six full points lower than Wieber's score.
Ana Maria Izurieta (ESP) qualified for one of the four reserve spots with a 53.533 mark. Yes, the rules even prohibit Wieber from being a reserve.
Why is this rule in place?
The closest thing that first comes to my mind that resembles this is in Major League Baseball. For the All-Star Game the rules state that each team must be represented by at least one player. Remember Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher, Mike Williams? Well, for all but the three of you that do remember him, he was perhaps the worst All-Star of all time. In 2003 Williams was selected to the National League All-Star team with a 0-3 record to go along with a 6.29 ERA.
This is what I believe the Olympics are trying to accomplish. No, not the embarrassment of having Mike Williams in the All-Star Game, but rather the best chance to have the most countries participating in an event.
While the Olympics are about competition and showcasing the world's best athletes, it is also about bringing in a global audience for as many events as possible. For example, this "two person" limit allowed for Giulia Steingruber (SUI) to get in the finals of the event. Otherwise Switzerland would have not had a representative in the all-around final.
Granted, the US is not the only team with a gripe. Russia, Great Britain, and China all had to deal with the same thing on Sunday. One of their athletes had a top 24 score, but there were already two teammates ahead of them advancing to the finals.
I understand why this rule is in the Olympic Games, but I do not agree with it. There is no reason why an athlete should not advance to the finals if he or she obtains one of the top scores required (in this case a top 24 score).
Jordyn Wieber should be competing in the All-Around Final.
Do you agree with the rule in place that limits a country from only sending two athletes to the All-Around Final regardless of where they fall in the overall standings?
Joe Chacon is a Staff Writer for Operation Sports and a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.
# 17
sooperb @ Jul 30
@Dogslax41 and @seventwenty3, THANK YOU because I didn't feel like posting my thoughts and feelings about it but was going to anyway until I read both of your comments. I don't have to anymore. It's American arrogance or just the media needing a story. It's not like the rule was created last week. She can write a book now or go to Hollywood and sell the rights to her story. The Truth is The Truth and leaves no room for debate on facts.
# 18
CuseGirl @ Jul 30
No one is saying this is the only time in history that this rule has mucked things up. We're saying the rule is stupid all around, for any year, for any country with more than 2 worthy contenders. And the guy did mention the other countries who had to leave their 3rd best competitor out of the All-Around competition.
I do not understand the angst over this. And I do agree, Jordan Weiber and those other competitors for Great Britain, Russia and China should have been able to send those girls in. They were the best.
It's more glaring because Weiber was in the TOP 5. She didn't finish 15th or 21st, she was in the top 5 but competitors who finished 25th or 28th or 30th will have an opportunity over her. That's wrong.
I do not understand the angst over this. And I do agree, Jordan Weiber and those other competitors for Great Britain, Russia and China should have been able to send those girls in. They were the best.
It's more glaring because Weiber was in the TOP 5. She didn't finish 15th or 21st, she was in the top 5 but competitors who finished 25th or 28th or 30th will have an opportunity over her. That's wrong.
# 19
Joe Chacon @ Jul 30
CuseGirl did a pretty good job of conveying the point of my stance.
My purpose wasn't to isolate the USA and say the rule should be changed because it affected the US team. However, sometimes it takes a favorite to be ousted in order to shed light on the situation. In my view this rule is horrible and should be removed.
While I and many others feel the rule is wrong, some of you believe it is good for the sport and are hitting on some good points. Aside from the comment about this only being posted because it affects the USA, everyone appears to be bringing their thoughts with an open mind.
My purpose wasn't to isolate the USA and say the rule should be changed because it affected the US team. However, sometimes it takes a favorite to be ousted in order to shed light on the situation. In my view this rule is horrible and should be removed.
While I and many others feel the rule is wrong, some of you believe it is good for the sport and are hitting on some good points. Aside from the comment about this only being posted because it affects the USA, everyone appears to be bringing their thoughts with an open mind.
# 20
Joobieo @ Jul 30
If the Olympics aren't going to provide the best players at the competition then something is wrong.
# 21
ZoneBlitz @ Jul 30
She knew the rules before she competed. I wonder if we would be discussing this question had she made it. All I see is an athlete who tried, gave it her best, and did not win. There is no need to change the rules. How far should we go to ensure the success of athletes that we want to win? How far should we lower the bar?
It's so amazing to see what happens when a "favorite" doesn't make it in. Then, we want to change the entire system.
Get over it.
It's so amazing to see what happens when a "favorite" doesn't make it in. Then, we want to change the entire system.
Get over it.
# 22
ZoneBlitz @ Jul 30
@Joobieo
By definition, if she were the best or one of the best she would have made it. She did not, ergo she is not one of the best.
So, by that logic, New England should have been awarded the NFL championship in 2008 since their record and stats clearly showed they were the better team.
By definition, if she were the best or one of the best she would have made it. She did not, ergo she is not one of the best.
So, by that logic, New England should have been awarded the NFL championship in 2008 since their record and stats clearly showed they were the better team.
# 23
ZoneBlitz @ Jul 30
@CuseGirl
If she made it in, we would not even be having this discussion. Plus, what's the big deal, obviously better American talent made it in.
If she made it in, we would not even be having this discussion. Plus, what's the big deal, obviously better American talent made it in.
# 25
Dogslax41 @ Jul 30
@CuseGirl and Afanasyeva finished 6th in the qualifiers in last olympics and didnt say a word. We (Americans) wanted this rule in the first place to keep the Romanians from dominating the medal count and now that the same rule impacts us its an injustice? At no point since 2003 when it has worked in our favor has this been an issue.
How about we not focus on a big name and let the individual's performance dictate the outcome since picking the big name worked so well for the US swim team picking Lochte for the relay after swimming 1200m.
How about we not focus on a big name and let the individual's performance dictate the outcome since picking the big name worked so well for the US swim team picking Lochte for the relay after swimming 1200m.
# 26
Brian_OS @ Jul 31
I agre with ZoneBlitz... She knew this could happen, this is not a new rule.She didn't bring her best and is now paying for that, life is not fair. Unles they give the number 1 ranked girl a pass to the finals at the time of the Olympics anything can and will happen. Time to suck it up buttercup.....:-)
# 27
UGFgam @ Jul 31
First off: Jordyn Wieber (USA), Anastasia Grishina (Russia), Jinnan Yao (China), Jennifer Pinches (Great Britain), Philipp Boy (Germany), Oleg Stepko (Ukraine), Kazuhito Tanaka (Japan). This is just from 2012 alone of the true TOP 24 that were booted.
Second Off: Anyone who says "if she were the best or one of the best she would have made it" is completely naive. Look at US Men Prelims. Oh, did they come in first? Oh, did the Chinese even place in Prelims? Who got the Gold and who did not place in the Finals. Now please tell me with all confidence that the Prelims displays the "best" or what will even come close to in the finals.
Do swimmers go for world record times in "heat" races? Thanks for playing the contradict yourself game.
Third: Olympics is a competition of the "Best". So why do they eliminate several the "best" 24? And, yes several! The reason this is getting attention is because the reigning World Champion not making/allowed in all-around finals hasnt happened in decades if not a century. All world champions get media hype pre-olympics, which sets up for a bigger reaction.
Fourth: The rule is against the Olympic Charter (chapter 1 article 6). It is discrimination on nationality/ethnicity. If you say it isnt, you are joking yourself. If someone owned a store and sold products to two Irish, then refused service to a third because the "quota" is already filled, there would be a massive lawsuit.
Second Off: Anyone who says "if she were the best or one of the best she would have made it" is completely naive. Look at US Men Prelims. Oh, did they come in first? Oh, did the Chinese even place in Prelims? Who got the Gold and who did not place in the Finals. Now please tell me with all confidence that the Prelims displays the "best" or what will even come close to in the finals.
Do swimmers go for world record times in "heat" races? Thanks for playing the contradict yourself game.
Third: Olympics is a competition of the "Best". So why do they eliminate several the "best" 24? And, yes several! The reason this is getting attention is because the reigning World Champion not making/allowed in all-around finals hasnt happened in decades if not a century. All world champions get media hype pre-olympics, which sets up for a bigger reaction.
Fourth: The rule is against the Olympic Charter (chapter 1 article 6). It is discrimination on nationality/ethnicity. If you say it isnt, you are joking yourself. If someone owned a store and sold products to two Irish, then refused service to a third because the "quota" is already filled, there would be a massive lawsuit.
# 28
Dogslax41 @ Jul 31
@UGFgam First-US along with many other countries asked for and pushed for the rule. now the US ends up on the wrong end and we are the only ones crying foul.Despite all those others countries having someone pulled the headlines of their national media the next day were not INJUSTICE!!!
Second - if she were one of the best she would have made it. One of the best two from her country. No contradiction here. And since you want to bring up swimming, how many people are allowed to compete in each event from each country? TWO. Other sports eliminate some of the top 24 before you ever get to see them on your television set.
Third - Again other sports restrict who even gets to compete in the event. Gymnasts get the opportunity to earn their spot at the olympics. She didnt earn it, at the Olympics. Her world championship means nothing at the Olympics not to mention that world championship wasn't exactly without controversy. Saying she is a world champion and its an injustice to not include her is like saying the team with the best regular season record goes right to the championship game. Why even have prelims? Just have the coach pick two and let them compete? Next cries of injustice would be for those girls that didn't get picked and get a chance to earn it that day.
Fourth - I hope you aren't serious about claiming this as discrimination. Its a rule in a sporting event decided on by all to make competition more balanced so the Olympics don't become a US v Russia v China population contest. It's not even an IOCC rule.
Second - if she were one of the best she would have made it. One of the best two from her country. No contradiction here. And since you want to bring up swimming, how many people are allowed to compete in each event from each country? TWO. Other sports eliminate some of the top 24 before you ever get to see them on your television set.
Third - Again other sports restrict who even gets to compete in the event. Gymnasts get the opportunity to earn their spot at the olympics. She didnt earn it, at the Olympics. Her world championship means nothing at the Olympics not to mention that world championship wasn't exactly without controversy. Saying she is a world champion and its an injustice to not include her is like saying the team with the best regular season record goes right to the championship game. Why even have prelims? Just have the coach pick two and let them compete? Next cries of injustice would be for those girls that didn't get picked and get a chance to earn it that day.
Fourth - I hope you aren't serious about claiming this as discrimination. Its a rule in a sporting event decided on by all to make competition more balanced so the Olympics don't become a US v Russia v China population contest. It's not even an IOCC rule.
# 29
supermanemblem @ Jul 31
@Ugf. Swimmers might not shoot for the WR in their preliminary heats, but the swim fast enough to advance. Wieber was too full of herself and thought one of her teammates would fold under pressure and it turned out that she was the one who nutted up. She had a shot to claim a spot when she saw Gabby Douglas leave the box and what did she do? Leave the box as well.
This reminds me of the uproar of the NFL overtime rules when the Chargers beat the Colt and Peyton didn't get a chance to touch the ball. Why can't folks accept the agony of defeat with any dignity nowadays?
This reminds me of the uproar of the NFL overtime rules when the Chargers beat the Colt and Peyton didn't get a chance to touch the ball. Why can't folks accept the agony of defeat with any dignity nowadays?
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