<p>I think the young lady gymnasts have handled it well. I would probably say something grossly inappropriate, then say “I probably shouldn’t have said that”.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m pretty sure I would want a script, too. In the immediate aftermath of Raisman getting a spot in the AA, she was being interviewed and said how happy she was and then pretty much stopped short and said she thought she needed to stop talking. Wise of her, because anything she said might have been taken as dig against Weiber.</p>
<p>Also as a parent, I would HATE to be interviewed after my child had experienced a disappointment…I can’t imagine that I would sound in any way gracious.</p>
<p>These days they wouldn’t interview you, they’d just zoom in with the camera on the audience and be gleeful if they could find a time when your body was contorting. ;)</p>
<p>I may have missed it here… I just heard elsewhere that Mantao Mitchell ran the first leg of the 4X400 for the US men on a broken leg… the men still qualified for the final.</p>
<p>Right. I don’t feel comfortable running down Gabby Douglas or any other teenager. But I have to say that my train of thought on this topic began when I was struck by the contrast of interviews with Douglas or Wieber vs. Missy Franklin.</p>
<p>They’ve all had media training, I’m sure. It shows. And you have to give the gymnasts credit for NOT saying inappropriate things, and being positive and gracious all the time, because they were.</p>
<p>Yes, and they qualified with the fastest time. This without their top runner and also Wariner. The US has traditionally owned this event and I’m rooting so hard for them this year. I really want Bryshon Nellum up on that podium after what he’s been through.</p>
<p>After being a big gymnastics fan this year. Aly is by far my favorite gymnast out of the Fab Five. Her attitude is amazing along with her four teammates. I thought her floor routine was AMAZING. I’ve honestly cringed after reading some of SaintSaens posts though. I felt so bad for her when she tied for all around (which I thought she should have gotten), but it all worked out in the end. Aly was the true under dog in the bunch. No one expected her to beat Jordyn. I really think that rule is really dumb though.</p>
<p>I really though Elizabeth Price should have made the Olympic team though. She came in 4th in the Trials and IMO is better than Kyla (nothing against her though, she seems sweet). I thought Weiber was a little overrated and McKayla seemed to be only great at vault. I really feel bad for the alternatives. To work so hard and for many you only have ONE shot at it. I also felt terrible for Anna Li. She’s 23, so that was her one last chance (she ended up getting hurt though in England). I thought Alicia Sacramone did well too. My heart broke for Nastia, but she had her chance. It is crazy to think that all the other countries have much older gymnasts though. One German gymnast was 39 competing in the vault, I couldn’t believe it!</p>
<p>I was not fond of the Russian gymnasts at ALL. Komova crying when she got silver put me off. The American gymnasts handled things SO much better. I do not like Mustafina either (worst than Komova). She had an attitude problem and once when fell off the vault, she didn’t seem to be putting much effort in at all. I know the commentators noted that she was hard to work with. She seemed like a true diva. I really like some of the Romanians though. Ponor had an excellent floor routine and for her age (gymnast wise), she was really great!</p>
<p>Confession-- I got this from another cc’er, but it is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a very long time. A bit of a different perspective on olympics broadcasting. Be sure to watch all the way to the end and listen carefully to the announcer’s quips and comments, as his Irish brogue is a bit hard to understand at times [LiveLeak.com</a> - Irish Olympic Sailing Commentary](<a href=“ItemFix - Social Video Factory”>ItemFix - Social Video Factory)</p>
<p>Did anyone see Missy Franklin interview with Bob Costas? She was amazing – poised, personable and comfortable. So much so that he told her to close the show out! She could probably do his job. That said, I don’t see how being an athlete should somehow translate into being a good interviewer. They are different skills. Most kids just aren’t mature enough to do that well. I think you have to be in front of cameras a lot before you get used to it.</p>
<p>^ I did. Missy was amazing and I doubt she had media handlers. </p>
<p>It wasn’t that the gymnasts were bad in front of the cameras that bothered me, it was that they sounded robotic and very unnatural, and it just wasn’t one or two, it was all of them. They should have been allowed to be themselves instead of packaged.</p>
<p>I think some awfully harsh things have been said about some very hard working young ladies who have represented their country, are all olympic champions, and are doing their best to get every last moment right. I believe it has been correctly pointed out that the very nature of what they do sets them up for intense judgement and scrutiny of every single tiny detail, not just on the floor, beam, vault, & bars, but while they are waiting, getting their scores, cameras everywhere, and everywhere the world is watching and obviously judging. It’s a wonder if these girls don’t end up in long term therapy as adults trying to understand it’s okay in life if they step outside the lines once in a while…they don’t have to be perfect. Sure, we’d all agree to that, they don’t have to be perfect, but then in the same post we’re mocking their voices and a look they gave on camera. I think it’s horrible and I hope no one ever judges your children this way.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Isn’t this also part of the particular culture of each sport? Women gymnastics seems to live in its own microcosm, with an amazing dosis of athletic demands but also with a sideshow that seems to borrow heavily from beauty pageants. It is what it is, and is probably the result of pushes in that direction from parents and coaches. It might also explain why some got so focused on the hair of Douglas. Next might be a discussion on the amount of sequins on the leotard, or makeup. All of that contributes to the robotic and awkward demeanor of the athletes who are also expected to act like princesses and divas, and repeat all the rehearsed phrases. Again a reminder to the “Miss South Carolina, what do you consider the biggest contribution of Miss America in fighting pollution?”</p>
<p>Other sports have other idiosyncracies, including foul language and repeated swearing. Nobody would confuse the culture of lacrosse with the gymnstics or with dressage athletes. And since, I believe that JHS comment about saying crass and stupid things (my words, not his) is a hinting at soccer, I also think that being “in your face” is just part of the culture, perhaps a testament to a sport that is fast and full contact. I would have added virile to the list, but anyone who is familiar with girls’ and women soccer knows that the ladies can take and give it like the most aggressive male counterparts.</p>
<p>I just finished watching David Rudisha’s win in the 800, both the gold and the WR. What an amazing back story, so heartwarming. He came across as so humble and with such a sound head on his shoulders. Very impressive in a quiet way.</p>
<p>I agree. I was so happy for him. I knew he was the favorite but he really went all out early on and it was wonderful to see him get a WR! The other competitors were all congratulating him afterwards.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I loved that. </p>
<p>It may already have been mentioned that the US women will be playing for the gold medal in Volleyball after defeating South Korea. They won in 3 sets and will meet Brazil in the final. I recognized the coach from the Beijing Olympics, but I think he coached the men to the gold medal that time. His wife’s father was the unfortunate tourist killed in the knife attack at the temple and I recall that he missed several games to be with her; the men won their matches in his absence, but he was able to get back in time for the gold medal match.</p>
<p>Hope I got all that right.</p>
<p>If you think Missy Franklin hasn’t had media coaching, Santa, the Tooth Fairy and I want to talk to you about a great investment opportunity involving the Brooklyn Bridge.</p>
<p>Actually my H and I were talking today about how we enjoy seeing the interviews with the drinkers and gymnasts, rather than the track stars. Seems like the track athletes think they ‘are all that’ and it gets pretty tiresome with all their preening and strutting. </p>
<p>It was nice to see actual hugs among the swimmers compared to the perfunctory buss the gymnasts give each other. It’s like the gymnasts are required to hug their competitors and team members so they do it with wooden faces. </p>
<p>By the way, I like that website about what Olympic athlete one is. I’m an Australian 20km racewalker!</p>
<p>Rudisha was amazing. First, the race itself; what a beautiful runner. He was a picture of power and grace as everyone behind him looked like they were killing themselves. After, I noticed many of the others hugged him or shook his hand. Great sportsmanship all around and obvious respect. Great to see.</p>
<p>"*He was a picture of power and grace as everyone behind him looked like they were killing themselves"</p>
<p>Yes! (And I thought his complexion was Uh-mazing!)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Huh? 
</p>