The London 2012 Olympics: Sports discussion - Page 16

danielf · 06-08-2012, 15:15

This is getting silly:

Quote:

Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi has been excluded from the Olympic Games for not trying in Monday morning's 800m heat.

Makhloufi, who won one of Sunday's 1500m semi-finals, was forced to race in the 800m after Algeria failed to withdraw him before Sunday's deadline.

The 24-year-old completed barely 200m of his heat before quitting.

The International Association of Athletics Federations said he had "not provided a bona fide effort" and would be "excluded from further events".

Makhloufi lined up at the start of heat five, but quickly fell behind the rest of the field then stopped running and wandered across the infield.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19152117

He didn't want to compete in the 800m so he could focus on the 1500m. Algeria failed to withdraw him, so he was forced to take part, and then thrown out of the games for not trying hard enough. Seems to me that someone needs to consider the fact that the athletes aren't there for the crowds. They are there for themselves, and should (within reason) be able to do what they think is best for their medal chances.

**Maggy** · 06-08-2012, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

This is getting silly:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19152117

He didn't want to compete in the 800m so he could focus on the 1500m. Algeria failed to withdraw him, so he was forced to take part, and then thrown out of the games for not trying hard enough. Seems to me that someone needs to consider the fact that the athletes aren't there for the crowds. They are there for themselves, and should (within reason) be able to do what they think is best for their medal chances.

I could have sworn they were supposed to represent their country first and foremost..

danielf · 06-08-2012, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I could have sworn they were supposed to represent their country first and foremost..

No. In fact, they can take part as Independent Olympic Athletes.
if they don't want to or can't represent their country.

**Maggy** · 06-08-2012, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

No. In fact, they can take part as Independent Olympic Athletes.
if they don't want to or can't represent their country.

I read that as can't not won't..and it's more to do with countries that no longer exist and are not represented by the IOC,,if I'm reading it right..

I'm sorry for him.I think he's the victim of Sports politics.

denphone · 06-08-2012, 15:35

Beth Tweddle wins bronze in the Gymnastics.

danielf · 06-08-2012, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I read that as can't not won't..and it's more to do with countries that no longer exist and are not represented by the IOC,,if I'm reading it right.

I'm sorry for him.I think he's the victim of Sports politics.

Yeah, it's a bit of an odd case that. However, there are two athletes that could compete for The Netherlands (as Churandy Martina did in the 100m Athletics), but who chose not to.

Either way, at the end of the day, it should be about the athletes, not their countries, not the crowds, and not other people who decide how athletes should conduct their sport. The athletes are the ones who put in all the effort to get there, and they should be able to perform in the way they see best.

gba93 · 06-08-2012, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

No. In fact, they can take part as Independent Olympic Athletes.
if they don't want to or can't represent their country.

Don't think that's quite right - it's if their country doesn't have an National Olympic Committee (i.e. Netherlands Antilles {committee disbanded by IOC} & South Sudan {new country} at London 2012) - it's not what the athlete chooses.

Huge congratulations to BETH TWEDDLE - best routine, BRONZE Medal

################################################

**Maggy** · 06-08-2012, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Yeah, it's a bit of an odd case that. However, there are two athletes that could compete for The Netherlands (as Churandy Martina did in the 100m Athletics), but who chose not to.

Either way, at the end of the day, it should be about the athletes, not their countries, not the crowds, and not other people who decide how athletes should conduct their sport. The athletes are the ones who put in all the effort to get there, and they should be able to perform in the way they see best.

Then they would just represent the corporations that support them instead..and frankly it's practically the McDonald's and Coca-Cola Olympics as it is..If that happens I wouldn't support it.

But this is a discussion for the 'other' thread.

danielf · 06-08-2012, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gba93

Don't think that's quite right - it's if their country doesn't have an National Olympic Committee (i.e. Netherlands Antilles {committee disbanded by IOC} & South Sudan {new country} at London 2012) - it's not what the athlete chooses.

As I said above, Athletes from the Antilles can compete for The Netherlands, like the chap who finished sixth in the final of the 100 meters, so they do have a choice. But I'll admit, it's a strange case.

---------- Post added at 15:48 ---------- Previous post was at 15:44 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Then they would just represent the corporations that support them instead..and frankly it's practically the McDonald's and Coca-Cola Olympics as it is..If that happens I wouldn't support it.

But this is a discussion for the 'other' thread.

Feel free to move it...

I'm a little surprised why athletes would represent corporations. I'm not suggesting that athletes shouldn't represent their countries. I'm just saying that they are there for themselves first and foremost, and the public don't have a right to tell them how they should behave based on their own perception of 'The Olympic Spirit'.

gba93 · 06-08-2012, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

As I said above, Athletes from the Antilles can compete for The Netherlands, like the chap who finished sixth in the final of the 100 meters, so they do have a choice. But I'll admit, it's a strange case.

In the case of the Netherlands Antilles they did have a choice because they have Dutch Nationality - this wouldn't necessarily be the case in other instances.

danielf · 06-08-2012, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by gba93

In the case of the Netherlands Antilles they did have a choice because they have Dutch Nationality - this wouldn't necessarily be the case in other instances.

That's what I said?

gba93 · 06-08-2012, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

That's what I said?

That may be what you thought you said and if you'd explained your rationale we might all have understood it. My other point was that in this instance they were fortunate that they still retained their Dutch nationality - in this ever changing world this will not always be the case for others in the future

**Maggy** · 06-08-2012, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

As I said above, Athletes from the Antilles can compete for The Netherlands, like the chap who finished sixth in the final of the 100 meters, so they do have a choice. But I'll admit, it's a strange case.

---------- Post added at 15:48 ---------- Previous post was at 15:44 ----------

Feel free to move it...

I'm a little surprised why athletes would represent corporations. I'm not suggesting that athletes shouldn't represent their countries. I'm just saying that they are there for themselves first and foremost, and the public don't have a right to tell them how they should behave based on their own perception of 'The Olympic Spirit'.

Well if they aren't to be supported by their country then they have to have some sort of support system and I'm suggesting that the big corporations may well step in..Sports is a expensive job these days in terms of equipment,travel,clothing,venues and trainers/coaches.Not all the bodies that control the differing sports will be able to fund everyone.

---------- Post added at 16:53 ---------- Previous post was at 16:37 ----------

Another GB gold in the Equestrian..

carlwaring · 06-08-2012, 17:09

First medal in 60 years. Nicely done.

---------- Post added at 17:09 ---------- Previous post was at 17:06 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

...and frankly it's practically the McDonald's and Coca-Cola Olympics as it is..

Not sure how you come to that conclusion as I have yet to see or hear any mention of them on-screen

**Maggy** · 06-08-2012, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

First medal in 60 years. Nicely done.

---------- Post added at 17:09 ---------- Previous post was at 17:06 ----------

Not sure how you come to that conclusion as I have yet to see or hear any mention of them on-screen

You really don't pay attention do you?Have you seen the discussions about the underhand methods of the corporations that have been allowed into the Athletes village and into the Olympics parks?

Of course there is no adverts in the stadia.There never is..It is against the Olympic rules.However I am arguing that if athletes don't represent their countries and therefore won't get the support they currently do things MAY change for the worst..

Now I refuse to discuss this topic in THIS thread any further.