Gymnastics Officials Urge Hamm to Return Gold

LINK TO FOX NEWS ARTICLE

Should Paul Hamm give back his gold medal? Initially I thought that might be the best thing for him to do. Since then, the commentators have shown where the South Korea gymnist should have been deducted for on an earlier event of the contest that would have lowered his score more than fixing the error would raise it. LINK

I guess there is no way to really "fix" the scoring of judges competitons like gymnastics and figure skating. In the end, it all comes down to the opinions of a few judges that are supposed to be unbiased. It isn't like track and field where who ever crosses the line first in a race is the clear winner.

I think, given all the information, it is unfair for them to pressure Hamm to give up his gold medal. Errors were made (multiple errors both ways) and not fixed at the time of the competition. If they feel so strongly that the other person should have won, give him a gold also (even though I don't agree with that either).

(Wow, this is almost as fun as debating the BCS in college football. Speaking of that, I think the first college game is this weekend.)

 

More Information: Rogge refuses reparations for judging errors