Table Tennis women's doubles:
Just read about the new tournament rules of the table tennis match in this Olympics--that double players from the same country must be placed in the same half of draw. Well, guess what? We still won the gold (and the bronze), and the world did not see the best match in the finals. Sure, it's meant to break up one country's (read, Chinese) dominance, but this simply does not work--the other countries are already catching up, but this rule only hurts the legitimacy of the result. In America, this would be called discrimination! Shame on you, ITTF!
Ironical reality:
The US probably has the most guns in the hands of its citizens in the world, but they are not the best country in shooting in the Olympics. And guess who is: China, the country where no citizen has access to guns. By contrast, China has the largest number of bikers, yet claimed only one silver medal so far. Oh, by the way, we also won the women's double in tennis, which if by the average number of tennis courts per capita, China is likely ranked at the bottom. Well on a second thought, maybe that's why we won the DOUBLE. :)
Posted by Shamu at August 22, 2004 11:02 PMIt is funny -- I just mentioned what you said about biking to one of my friends. Also, it is strange that the US wins so many swimming medals, because swimming isn't popular as a sport in the US at all.
It is also strange that Chinese do so well in diving, but not so well in swimming (especially men's swimming).
As Brian on Voluntarily in China already mentioned, gun crazy Americans apparently can't shoot straight. Also, Canada has even more guns per person than the US -- way more. I don't think Canada won any medals either. So probably the two countries with the most guns and easiest access to guns won 0 medals in shooting.
Posted by: 托的 at August 23, 2004 10:41 AMChina can do well in diving because almost all the athletes started as gymnasts. And don't forget we have the best gymnasts in the world (not to say we are the only best). I think this is partly due to the our acrobatic traditions--have you ever watched Chinese acrobatics? After all, diving is so much easier than gymnastics--you only need to go down. Therefore many injured gymnasts who otherwise have to retire turn to diving. And thank god diving provides this dignified outlet for them. And medals for China.
As to shooting, US did win a medal in Matt Emmons, but probably it's his mix-up that will be remembered. Which nicely confirms Brian's suspicion.
Posted by: shamu at August 23, 2004 12:42 PMIronical reality:
China has the most bikes but can't get even one medal....
There are differences between competitive sports and other use of guns and bikes...
Posted by: ljty at August 24, 2004 09:03 AMOf course. But why not make a little fun of ourselves given the chance? Also, when I paddled an hour each week in Beijing punishing winter, I could have used a little coaching to enjoy the ride. :)
Posted by: shamu at August 24, 2004 11:18 AMHi there! I came across ur blog and enjoyed the "ironical reality" about guns & bikes.
Actually I took "US" in ur blog title for "us", and was surprised u said "WE won..." all the way, lol!
Rainbow
Posted by: Rainbow at August 25, 2004 09:31 PMHehe... Welcome to my blog.
Just went to your blog and found out... you are a Jiaxing girl! I've been to Jiaxing(嘉兴). It's a long time ago and all I remember was the 粽子 I ate at 五芳斋。 It's very nice. So nice it's the only thing I remembered for the whole trip. :)