STORM2K

Gymnastics Federation asks Hamm to give back his gold medal

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Gymnastics officials asked Paul Hamm to give up his gold medal as the ultimate show of sportsmanship, but the U.S. Olympic Committee told them to take responsibility for their own mistakes.

Give it up? Heck no! Share, maybe.

If he honestly did not beat the other score then he really did not earn the medal. I would not want to keep a medal due to a mistake.

If you didn't earn it, you don't deserve it!

What changed? Now he doesn't have a winning score?

I believe that if anything should be done, then they should share it.

While the mistake was unfortunate, why is the focus on just one of the mistakes? There should have been a mandatory .2 deduction on the parallel bars routine for stopping 4 times (only 3 allowed). One mistake worked in his favor and one against. Hamm keeps the Gold he earned it!

mf_dolphin wrote:While the mistake was unfortunate, why is the focus on just one of the mistakes? There should have been a mandatory .2 deduction on the parallel bars routine for stopping 4 times (only 3 allowed). One mistake worked in his favor and one against. Hamm keeps the Gold he earned it!

Well Said..If they are opening replay into the sport all of a sudden they need to review it all..

According to FIG Rules, the South Koreans filed their complaint too late for it to be valid therefore, FIG should also follow it's own rules and not allow it. Of Course, with Hamm being American and most FIG officials being European...

Steve

however belated, I'm glad to see the USOC come to the side of Hamm and refuse to deliver the letter!

Speaking of golds, did anyone catch that awesome display when the women's soccer team boldly and loudly (and, okay, a little off-key) sang the National Anthem while on the podium?

I saw parts of it on the news. Didn't get to watch the actual event or actual ceremony when it happened. Then again, if I ever understand soccer, it will be a miracle.