• HOME
✕

The China (American) Syndrome

justSEVAN Sunday, August 17, 2008

So, four years ago, commentators bandied about the phrase “The China Syndrome” when discussing Chinese gymnasts who just fell apart under the pressure of competing.

Fast forward 4 years to Beijing and they are sweeeeeeeeping the gymnastics events (give or take some of them cracking, but nothing like 4 years prior).  However, this year they should change the syndrome to reflect the Americans who, frankly, just sucked this year.  I have always thought the Russians and Romanians were the ones who exemplified perfection in the sport (and who does not love bad girl Khorkhina).  I never really thought the Americans were superb (outside of Retton and Strugg).  And granted, the Chinese genetically are much more easily matched to a sport like gymnastics thanks to their lean bodies and freakish flexibility (just watch diving for the same comparison – the more solid divers just lack grace and lines).

I always feel bad for Chinese athletes who don’t meet with the Chinese national standards of gold or nothing because I know there is so much at stake for them than for many other countries.  I don’t even want to assume what penalties get inflicted on them by the government if they don’t step up to the plate.

Some weird turnabouts are in the men’s horse (which I think is just some Germanic torture event to have to put on someone) and a UK gymnast ( a sport virtually ignored in the UK…they probably think it is too twee for them) wins a medal…as does a Croatian.  Talk about odd odds.

I don’t get the same thrill watching gymnastics as I used to.  There are no real personalities or on-fire folk.  I used to hate swimming and have no fallen in love with it; most probably because of Phelps-mania.

And what’s with the digitally enhanced fireworks for opening ceremonies…really now???

I see a lot of you asked me about Horses for Sale. Well, here you can find some offers!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Article

Wait...so HOW is this fair?

Next Article

What? A Scoring Controversy? In Gymnastics? Um..duh...

SEARCH

ABOUT

Refugee. Immigrant. Polyglot. Wordsmith. Overwrought Playwright. Artist of Colour. Overly Educated. Underly paid. Challenging Dominant Culture Paradigms. Involuntary Nomad. Always Looking for ‘Home’. All Words My Own. All Thoughts My Own.  Smorgasbord of Logorrheic Madness.

SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

SUBSCRIBE

TWITTER

My Tweets

CATEGORIES

open all | close all

ARCHIVES

open all | close all
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.