Donald G. Clark
14th September 2004, 09:00 PM
Viewing many of the comments in this forum I am somewhat dissappointed in the unfair treatment that Olympic Champion Paul Hamm has received. He is the victum of poor officiating, and unfair media coverage.
It is universally agreed, here and elsewhere, that there were a great many problems at the games as a result of the omissions of officials. In this case two great athletes competed, followed the rules, and competed fairly, and one received the gold medal. But now, because of the inaction, and incompetence of the officials on the floor, neither athlete will truly look back on the experience as enriching as it could have been.
When attempting to solve any problem at a competition we must follow appropriate procedures. In this case the problem should have been solved by the officials on the floor. HOWEVER, Mr. Grandi (Pres. FIG) decided to make a public statement and appeal to the gymnast to solve HIS problem for him. This is a blatant attempt by Mr. Grandi to shift responsibility for his own mistakes, and pressure an athlete to resolve the problem for him. Which is viewed by many in the international community as inconsistent with the Olympic Charter. To compound matters Mr. Grandi indicated that he had the support of the IOC in asking Paul Hamm to give up his medal. The IOC has indicated to the USOC that they did not give Mr. Grandi that support.
There is not a single coach in this forum, or that I have talked with, who would have handled this the way it was. Some would have awarded a dulplicate medal as a remedy. I viewed the tapes, and replays, and view the results differently than many of you, but we all share a common sence of fairness. I feel any of us would have handled this better, and we can't say that about Mr. Grandi. Paul Hamm is the victum of gross ineptness.
Peter Ueberroth, President of the USOC, has rightly concluded that an athlete should never be put in this position. He has also stated publicly that "we all share a responsibility to protect, not sacrifice, the interests of athletes." The USOC has stated, and rightly so, that it will resist any attempt to have Paul Hamm's medal removed. Believe me, had this identical situation happened to a British Gymnast, the British Olympic Committee, and British Gymnastics would take the exact position - NEVER, NEVER go to an athlete and ask them to voluntarily solve a problem created by the officials on the floor.
I urge the British Olympic Committee, British Gymnastics, and BG Members, to express their concerns about the way this situation was handled by Mr. Grandi. At the very least heads of the individual gymnastic federations should express displeasure with the FIG leadership. Never again should any athlete have a cloud placed over their hard work, and accomplishments in this manner. Paul Hamm is a great champion and we should all be directing our disgust at the President of the FIG. It's time for a change.
Best wishes
Don Clark
It is universally agreed, here and elsewhere, that there were a great many problems at the games as a result of the omissions of officials. In this case two great athletes competed, followed the rules, and competed fairly, and one received the gold medal. But now, because of the inaction, and incompetence of the officials on the floor, neither athlete will truly look back on the experience as enriching as it could have been.
When attempting to solve any problem at a competition we must follow appropriate procedures. In this case the problem should have been solved by the officials on the floor. HOWEVER, Mr. Grandi (Pres. FIG) decided to make a public statement and appeal to the gymnast to solve HIS problem for him. This is a blatant attempt by Mr. Grandi to shift responsibility for his own mistakes, and pressure an athlete to resolve the problem for him. Which is viewed by many in the international community as inconsistent with the Olympic Charter. To compound matters Mr. Grandi indicated that he had the support of the IOC in asking Paul Hamm to give up his medal. The IOC has indicated to the USOC that they did not give Mr. Grandi that support.
There is not a single coach in this forum, or that I have talked with, who would have handled this the way it was. Some would have awarded a dulplicate medal as a remedy. I viewed the tapes, and replays, and view the results differently than many of you, but we all share a common sence of fairness. I feel any of us would have handled this better, and we can't say that about Mr. Grandi. Paul Hamm is the victum of gross ineptness.
Peter Ueberroth, President of the USOC, has rightly concluded that an athlete should never be put in this position. He has also stated publicly that "we all share a responsibility to protect, not sacrifice, the interests of athletes." The USOC has stated, and rightly so, that it will resist any attempt to have Paul Hamm's medal removed. Believe me, had this identical situation happened to a British Gymnast, the British Olympic Committee, and British Gymnastics would take the exact position - NEVER, NEVER go to an athlete and ask them to voluntarily solve a problem created by the officials on the floor.
I urge the British Olympic Committee, British Gymnastics, and BG Members, to express their concerns about the way this situation was handled by Mr. Grandi. At the very least heads of the individual gymnastic federations should express displeasure with the FIG leadership. Never again should any athlete have a cloud placed over their hard work, and accomplishments in this manner. Paul Hamm is a great champion and we should all be directing our disgust at the President of the FIG. It's time for a change.
Best wishes
Don Clark