<p>^of course they do…that doesn’t make it right though…</p>
<p>I agree geeps20. Lousy rule.</p>
<p>Competitor caps have been around for a while. They were installed in the 70s order to prevent nations from having seven people qualifying to the finals.</p>
<p>I’d still personally prefer them to switch back to three per country and increase the number of competitors in the AA final. That’s what was done pre 2001.</p>
<p>I was thrilled for them as well, dstark, even more so because she is a sorority sister of mine :)</p>
<p>The national championships are the time for the best in each country to shine. I agree that, in the Olympics, the best should move forward, regardless of national origin. Not having some from each country, however, would certainly impact the television audience and ratings.</p>
<p>it’s the olympics, the best athletes in the world should compete for the gold. If it’s 5 from the same country, so be it. Who cares if the same country sweeps the medals, that would just add some drama.</p>
<p>Wow! MizzBee, that is awesome.</p>
<p><<i’d still="" personally="" prefer="" them="" to="" switch="" back="" three="" per="" country="" and="" increase="" the="" number="" of="" competitors="" in="" aa="" final.="" that’s="" what="" was="" done="" pre="" 2001.="">></i’d></p>
<p>I haven’t really been able to watch the summer Olympics (not in any real sense) since 2001 - so that is what I last remember.</p>
<p>I think that is how it works in figure skating too.</p>
<p>I agree, it’s a lousy rule. Maybe they should expand it to top 3 or 4. I’d guess it’s in place to prevent one country from dominating year after year. Not just dominating the medals, but dominating the entire competition. Say the top 10 gymnasts in the world are US gymnasts; it would be an all-US finals. That doesn’t seem quite right either. But as it is, competitors know going in that they need to be at the very top of their game to make the finals.</p>
<p>ETA – I haven’t seen the coverage yet, but it sounds like Jordyn make several small mistakes. That’s enough at this level of competition, if your competitors have solid mistake-free performances. It’s sad.</p>
<p>So, since this is a parent forum…</p>
<p>My daughter just sent me this video link thinking I would find it funny (having been a sports parent for years)…it is of Aly Raisman’s parents reacting to her bar routine…</p>
<p>[You</a> Have to Watch U.S. Gymnast Aly Raisman’s Hilarious Parents React to Her Bar Routine](<a href=“http://gawker.com/5930003/you-have-to-watch-us-gymnast-aly-raismans-hilarious-parents-react-to-her-bar-routine]You”>You Have to Watch U.S. Gymnast Aly Raisman's Hilarious Parents React to Her Bar Routine)</p>
<p>soozievt - that is funny. But I have to admit - that’s what my DH is like when he watches my older son’s drum corps perform. Yeah, not an individual event, but he knows every move and every “critical/problematic” spot and it’s almost like he’s talking the whole group thru is from the stands!</p>
<p>The rule does feel odd at times when you think about a competition to find the best individuals at an event, but I guess it is needed as they do enter and represent as teams as well as individuals in such events. </p>
<p>While not at the same level, I recall when my D was a ski racer in college, the team could only enter their five best girls in regional and national competitions and as her team was very good and had depth, typically their sixth best girl was still far better than many in the competition from other colleges but that’s how it worked.</p>
<p>Soozievt, awesome video. I can relate.</p>
<p>My wife says it is nerve-wracking to watch the girls and we don’t even know them.</p>
<p>Lol, loved that video. D thinks it is pretty hilarious, too. Dstark, I will be on pins and needles tomorrow when Ariana and Julia will swim their events! And I’m not related to either of them. :)</p>
<p>BunsenBurner… :)</p>
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<p>For the most part. Her bars routine was labored (and she’s already weak on bars). Her beam has composition problems that affect her score (the commentators didn’t talk about them, and her coach refuses to realize it). Her floor was okay, but still not her best.</p>
<p>This became a problem since Raisman was able to score pretty high.</p>
<p>I could identify with that video–my D was a rhythmic gymnast and on the US national team, so I spent a lot of time watching competitions. I’m sure I looked pretty goofy while I was watching–moving around in my chair, grimacing, cheering, etc.</p>
<p>Bromfield, that is awesome too.</p>
<p>Just saw the women’s gymnastics out here on West Coast (D & I had been avoiding all media today just to watch). Happy for Ali and Gabby; so bummed for Jordan. And so irritated with the cameraperson, covering Andrea Joyce and Ali…with Jordan crying in the background. Was that really necessary? Kudos to Jordan for then giving a classy interview…</p>