21 Aug 08
2 edits
Originally posted by SwissGambitNot me, but it's indicative of a lot of the reason the USA have done relatively badly these games, complacency. I mean look at the 4x100 relay teams. I ask you, how many sportsmen come into major games not even having mastered the basic skill of the sport? It's OK to have a bad day because of pressure, or limited other reasons which lower performance levels a bit, but come on, they couldn't even get the baton round. I know it's easy for me to say, pity for the other athletes who did the job right.
Google search says: Women's softball. Who cares.
22 Aug 08
Originally posted by kirksey957Well that is due to the fact that the U.S. has been so dominant that they wanna allow other teams to catch up. They may have lost the gold but they are the most dominant softball team in the world by outscoring their opponents by like 100+ runs to 6 runs in the last 2 Olympic games.
Apparently not many since this will be the last time for softball in the Olympics.
22 Aug 08
Originally posted by JohnLennonForeverI still think it is a better sport than BMX racing. Do you think if the Chinese dominate diving as they have done that they would eliminate diving as a sport in the games? Doesn't make any sense to me.
Well that is due to the fact that the U.S. has been so dominant that they wanna allow other teams to catch up. They may have lost the gold but they are the most dominant softball team in the world by outscoring their opponents by like 100+ runs to 6 runs in the last 2 Olympic games.
22 Aug 08
Originally posted by kirksey957But there are multiple events in diving that you can do whereas softball is only one. And I'm pretty sure they do not dominate so much that they win ever single gold in every single diving event whereas the U.S. softball has proven itself dominant in softball and virtually impossible to beat. Somehow however the Japanese managed to beat them which was a huge upset.
I still think it is a better sport than BMX racing. Do you think if the Chinese dominate diving as they have done that they would eliminate diving as a sport in the games? Doesn't make any sense to me.
22 Aug 08
Originally posted by asromacalcioA single dropped baton isn't sufficient to prove a lack of mastery. Even the most consistent of athletes can still choke under pressure.
Not me, but it's indicative of a lot of the reason the USA have done relatively badly these games, complacency. I mean look at the 4x100 relay teams. I ask you, how many sportsmen come into major games not even having mastered the basic skill of the sport? It's OK to have a bad day because of pressure, or limited other reasons which lower performance le ...[text shortened]... on round. I know it's easy for me to say, pity for the other athletes who did the job right.
24 Aug 08
Originally posted by SwissGambitI disagree. A dropped baton is a dq. They didn't even finish the race. I would rather them lose a finised race then lack the fundamental skills required to finish.
A single dropped baton isn't sufficient to prove a lack of mastery. Even the most consistent of athletes can still choke under pressure.
25 Aug 08
1 edit
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensBut it makes no sense to claim that one dropped baton indicates a lack of fundamental running skills, anymore than one double-fault on serve indicates a lack of tennis skill, or one strikeout in baseball indicates a lack of hitting skill, or one missed shot on goal indicates a lack of soccer skill.
I disagree. A dropped baton is a dq. They didn't even finish the race. I would rather them lose a finised race then lack the fundamental skills required to finish.
26 Aug 08
Originally posted by SwissGambitTrue, like Cristinano Ronaldo missing the penalty in the CL final doesn't mean he can't play, but in relay, there are TWO things you have to do, run, and pass the baton. If you can'd do HALF the event, you're not doing very well.
But it makes no sense to claim that one dropped baton indicates a lack of fundamental running skills, anymore than one double-fault on serve indicates a lack of tennis skill, or one strikeout in baseball indicates a lack of hitting skill, or one missed shot on goal indicates a lack of soccer skill.
26 Aug 08
1 edit
Originally posted by asromacalcioIIRC, they did 3/4 of the event. It was the last baton pass that went wrong. Saying that they 'can't do half the event' is misleading.
True, like Cristinano Ronaldo missing the penalty in the CL final doesn't mean he can't play, but in relay, there are TWO things you have to do, run, and pass the baton. If you can'd do HALF the event, you're not doing very well.
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSSP12477520080821
The US didn't choke alone, either. Defending medal winners Britain and Nigeria also screwed up baton passes. Perhaps the rain made passing more difficult?!
Edit: Why not make it more like swimming? [The next guy gets to go as soon as his teammate touches the wall.] Forget the baton. Just let the next runner go once his teammate enters the box. It's a running event; so keep the focus on the running as much as possible.