Messed Up Korean Gymnasts... Poor Sportsmanship
After stumbling on the vault, U.S. gymnast, Paul Hamm, delivered a clutch performance on the high bar. Did you see it? He was great. You're a stud, Paul.
With mixed emotions I watched two Korean gymnast win the silver and bronze medals. I was happy for my motherland, but disappointed in their response. They seem to think that Paul Hamm did not deserve the gold medal. My brother told me that one of them stated this and mentioned something about the judges. Sore losers, but not surprising. Koreans really don't learn about sportsmanship and the culture sometimes breeds an attitude that doesn't allow people to compliment others on their success.
Even in the language there is a phrase "my stomach hurts" to state a feeling of jealousy when some good fortune, such as a job promotion or windfall of money, befalls another person. Oddly enough the other person is typically a colleague or friend, which I found initially incomprehensible and disappointing. Why would they feel bad about their friend's good fortune? Some of the people I knew would be bitter or upset in these situations, which was counter to the responses my friends in the U.S. typically had when good things happened to their friends or colleagues. There would be genuine feelings of happiness or joy for the other person. As an American of Korean descent, it was disturbing to learn about some of the negative elements of Korean society while I lived there and to see it in my daily life.
The responses of these Korean gymnasts were not surprising after my recent four years in Korea, but still disappointing none the less. Korea really needs to develop its sports culture, especially for its youth, and teach the basic elements of sportsmanship, which can be transferred into adulthood and everyday life.
Two Koreans, Dae Eun Kim and Tae Young Yang, looked like the best man who lost the engagement ring. Kim frowned as his silver was placed around his neck. Yang took off his bronze right after leaving the floor. Both blew past Korean press begging for a quote.
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Comments (5)
I have to say that I was fa... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Gary | August 19, 2004 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I have to say that I was fascinated by this post and will definately go back to my recording of last nights all-around gymnastics final to pay close attention to Korean reaction. It's a shame because the Koreans performed brilliantly.
I especially enjoyed the korean euphemism for jealousy that you mentioned.
1. Posted by Gary | August 19, 2004 4:53 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 19, 2004 16:53
2. Posted by Joe Wyeth | August 31, 2004 3:33 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Because the AMERICAN JUDGE cheated them out of a gold medal. Got it? Paul Hamm should not have had the gold in the first place.
You wouldnt be saying that if Hamm was unceremoniuosly deducted points by a Korean judge, would you?
2. Posted by Joe Wyeth | August 31, 2004 3:33 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2004 03:33
3. Posted by Bernard Moon | August 31, 2004 3:56 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Joe, or whomever you are, it doesn't matter if it was an American judge or not. You really believe in some conspiracy that the American judge predicted that the Korean gymnasts were going to be Hamm's main obstacle? Take a pause and think intelligently about this. They would have targeted at least 4-5 other gymnasts then.
It was a goofy gymnastics event because the top 2-3 gymnasts there all made major mistakes. In terms of overall skill, I still believe the Chinese gymnasts should have won.
Also there is an update on my blog:
http://bernardmoon.blogspot.com/2004/08/paul-hamm-clutch-performer.html with some comments on the post above this one.
My point didn't change once I found out about the judging error. At the time, the Korean gymnasts didn't know about it and were sore losers. Got it?
And it doesn't matter to me what nationality the judges were. I assume mistakes are made in sports judging and refereeing. In the Ohno incident, the judges who made the error were not American. Got it?
3. Posted by Bernard Moon | August 31, 2004 3:56 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2004 03:56
4. Posted by Joe Wyeth | August 31, 2004 4:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh puhlease! The chinese were messed up even during practice. It was the Koreans and the Japanese that were gonna give them the competition.
The fact is if Hamm got the silver and if it turns out that some Korean judge fudged the numbers, we would all be singing a different tune! Remember how we all supported the Canadians because we "suspected" that they have been cheated?
It does not matter to you what the nationality of the judge is? Hah! Youre clueless! Gymnastics is one of the most political sports, and it matters a lot who the judge is!
In this case there is no suspicion. It is a FACT. An american judge deducted points from the Korean. The end result -- an American won -- even after the same american gymnast crashed out of his routine.
Enough said!
4. Posted by Joe Wyeth | August 31, 2004 4:05 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2004 04:05
5. Posted by Bernard Moon | August 31, 2004 4:18 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Really? Who is we? Are you American? How often do you watch sports? As a basketball fan, I saw how horrible the refs were against our team and even though the team we went was weak for international competition I believe our outcome could have been gold if it was fairer refereeing. Since it seems you were close to the action to know how well the Koreans and Japanese were practicing in Athens, then I'm sure you know how frustrated players like Tim Duncan was during those games. Was I upset and singing the tune of how biased the refs were and the U.S. deserves the gold? No. It happens in sports.
Yeah, I'm so clueless that those same set of judges forgot to deduct .1 on the Korean gymnast for having four holds making he argument mute. Get a clue, dude.
5. Posted by Bernard Moon | August 31, 2004 4:18 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2004 04:18