US Gymnast Alicia Sacramone has had a pretty rough go at the Olympics in Beijing, who blames herself for the US Gymnastics team having to settle for Silver due to her falling off of the balance beam. In yesterday’s vault competition, Alicia was had at least the third best performance, but was robbed of her Bronze medal when judges gave China’s Cheng Fei a higher score than Sacramone, even though Fei landed on her knees in the second vault.
Former Olympic Gymnastics coach and NBC Analyst Bela Karoly was pretty fired up about the judge’s decision and told everyone watching that it was a “rip off.” It was.
Alicia Sacramone doesn’t walk away from the Olympics empty handed as she has the team Silver, but she’s not ready to appreciate that just yet.
“I’m sure someday I will appreciate it for what it is,” Sacramone said. “But I still have to get to that point.”
What’s your opinion of this sham? Join the conversation below!
57 responses so far ↓
1 Amy // Aug 18, 2008
that was so sad, judges stupidity should NOT affect an olympian’s ability to get a medal
2 Stephen // Aug 18, 2008
I’m hearing all this jib jab about how Cheng Fei’s routine was more difficult or something, but whatever she landed on her knees, any amateur can tell that is not a bronze medal performance.
3 Meghan // Aug 18, 2008
i feel bad for her, she deserved the bronze
4 John // Aug 18, 2008
On Cheng Fei’s first vault, she landed out of bounds but the media will not show the replay. Sacramone was robbed. This Olympics has been a disgrace.
5 Planter // Aug 18, 2008
there will be tons of conspiracy theory surrounding this but in the end it’s just a bad error in judging and this call should be reversed.
6 James // Aug 18, 2008
Cheng Fei is probably 11 years old anyway, so there’s another reason she shouldn’t get the bronze
7 marissa // Aug 18, 2008
we should sign some sort of petition for a recount, that was ridiculous
8 FeiFan // Aug 18, 2008
Fei had a better performance, live with it America.
9 MeiChen // Aug 18, 2008
America is not as good at gymnastics anyway. Nastia and little Shawn got lucky.
10 Mary // Aug 18, 2008
FeiFan you can’t possibly think that was a better performance. A “better performance” would not end with a gymnast on their knees.
11 Darren // Aug 18, 2008
man bela was pissed and rightfully so. who are these idiots that judge this? was it a chinese judge that gave sacramone a low score and fei a high score? inquiring minds want to know.
12 Lisa // Aug 18, 2008
she did a great job. even after she fell off the balance beam she got right back up there and owned it.
i also feel like shawn johnson got robbed in the floor exercise. that romanian performance was pretty good, but shawn’s was a lot harder.
13 StephenYing // Aug 18, 2008
china is better gymnasts
14 BelaWasRight // Aug 18, 2008
absolute rip off. i’m going to start my boycott not based on really bad judging. idiots.
15 Vince // Aug 18, 2008
Cheng Fei fell on her face and get Bronze? You have got to be kidding. Yes, most definitely poor Alicia was robbed.
16 qi4 // Aug 18, 2008
Total fix. I don’t know if you can say the Chinese themselves are cheating (apart from the fact they lied about the ages of their girls), but the fix was definitely, obviously in on the vault.
17 Bob // Aug 18, 2008
It’s a shame that Alica was cheated
like this. You saw how Fei came off
the mat almost in tears because she
KNEW she’d blown it. Then she gets
the bronze? Totally unfair. This is
not new, though. Americans have gotten
ripped off at the Olympics many, many
times in the past. Same old, same old.
18 Earth Ling // Aug 18, 2008
Well at least Fei got payback on the floor routine. It was funny seeing her cry, maybe she was hoping for some more sympathy vote? What a sham China has made gymnastics, beginning with with the under-age girls. In the end they get no real glory. To all the naive people who defend this fascist government, you have no clue how this sort of gov’t thinks. Defending it (either if you are Chinese or foreign), you are brainwashed or just plain stupid.
19 dave // Aug 19, 2008
um…china is NOT better at gymnastics. Do me a favor and count the number of medals each country has won since 1984 (china’s first olypmics) and then make that idiotic statement.
20 Matt from MMA Gyms // Aug 19, 2008
Hah! OK, first off, the Olympics suck. It’s 2008 and I want to watch events on youtube — not NBC’s website which is off limits to people accessing outside of the US. It’s ridiculous. The Olympics is all about these media corporations. And the event is played up so much like a Hallmark holiday. Ever wonder why nobody gives a damn about gymnastics when the Olympics aren’t on?? Nobody cares about amateur sports until you’re told to care about them.
21 Bill // Aug 19, 2008
Poor Alicia was definitely cheated out of her medal. The judging system is in desperate need of an overhaul if you can win a medal after crash landing on your knees. I realize China has “home court” advantage, but the underage gymnasts and poor judging is an absolute disgrace. Anyone watching the event knows Alicia had a solid performance on both vaults, and without the corrupt scoring would have had at least third place.
22 Unbelievable // Aug 19, 2008
AGAIN Cheng Fei gets a ridiculously high score after checking her balance twice!! What is with these olympic judges? Something needs to be done because a lot the olympics are losing a lot of respect in a lot of people’s eyes.
And what is going to happen when that 12 year old chinese girl is proven to not be of age? Does Nastia get the gold then? So stupid!
23 GoShawn // Aug 19, 2008
if shawn doesn’t win this china should be banned from the olmpics
24 Nasty-A // Aug 20, 2008
that was awesome, even though those crap judges STILL gave Cheng Fei way too high of a score, at least Shawn came out on top. Nastia did not look happy for her, but whatever, she has her gold.
25 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
Wow how many of you are actual gymnasts, and how may of you feel that US should win just because you live in the country? Do you know why you’re not the one on the panel? That’s right, you’re NOT judges! Gymnastics isn’t just about falling and landing but about the performance overall, and just because US didnt win, dont act like sore losers and claim that the entire event is corrupt. Also, people who defend this “fascist” government (who should look up the definition since the last time I checked, China was communist and fascism is different entirely) aren’t exactly stupid since, guess what, China’s economy is BOOMING and we’re practically in a recession. Therefore, stop complaining about stuff you know nothing about and just enjoy the show.
26 Leila // Aug 20, 2008
I’m an “actual gymnast” Nicole and that judging was obviously flawed. Bela was an “actual gymnast” and he called the whole thing a rip off, now who are you? Go live with the commies if you like it so much.
27 Ron // Aug 20, 2008
Yeah, China’s air quality is BOOMING too eh Nicole?
28 Nancy // Aug 20, 2008
Repression is BOOMING in China too
29 Remo // Aug 20, 2008
I don’t care about anything except the fact that they let a 12 yr old girl win the gold and nothing has been done about it. You know that is going to come out in the future.
30 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
Oh, so since you’re an “actual” gymnast, you MUST know everything about the entire sport, enough to compete in the Olympics? There’s definitely a reason that the people only pick Bela to comment. He’s BIASED. You’re going to sit there and tell me that the ENTIRE panel is biased for China whenever it gives it a good score, but it’s being completely fair when it gives the gold to the US gymnasts? Give me a break and get a life.
Also, repression is NOT booming in China. You can already see that the yuan is rising in worth compared to the dollar so fast. And wow, people are going to comment on the air?! Wowwww, that’s really an effective argument considering that it impacts the economy and the government so heavily. The emissions from China aren’t comparable to that of the US, especially considering that they have a over a billion people.
31 Sym // Aug 20, 2008
Wow Nicole, you are ridiculously dumb. Repression is not booming in China? Have you read the world news in the past 3 months? Have you? Obviously not, unless you really are typing from China, in which case, congrats on your fake cold medals you twit.
32 Ti // Aug 20, 2008
well, I work for the ALA (American Lung Association) and Nicole, you are pretty far over the wrong line. Beijing is the worst in the world.
33 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
Wow, have you actually gone to China and tried to buy something? People are rich there, people are becoming millionaires from starting small businesses. You’re going to resort to name-calling because you can’t think of a better comeback? Keep this civil and try to use your actual brain.
34 Mark // Aug 20, 2008
Ok, I’m a gymnast and actually competed in the national level. Oh, and I’m from the US. Cheng Fei deserved the bronze medal. Yea, sure she fell, but if you look at her routine closely, and I have, it was a lot better executed than Alicia’s. Oh, and China isn’t cheating. Those girls aren’t 14. How do I know? 1) Sure young girls are flexible, but they can’t deal with the pressure that comes with international gymnastics. Trust me, I’ve trained 14 year olds.
Lets leave the politics out of it and look at the real deal. I’m an American, but I’m proud to say we lost to a greater rival. Lets stop behaving like losers and accept the fact we have to try harder.
35 Blaze // Aug 20, 2008
People are becoming rich in China???
Nicole, I suggest you look up the definition of Communism
lol!
36 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
Way to read what I said. I had stated that China as a whole isn’t as bad as the US in terms of pollution, but of course US is always quick to call someone else wrong.
Oh, and no, I live in America, thank you very much. And, unlike many people apparently, I thought the judging was fair.
37 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
Yeah, I thought it was weird, too, but I’ve met a couple people from China who started their own business and now have a driver, maids, and send their children to colleges overseas. That’s what I meant by China’s booming economy. From a developing nation to major industrialization in just decades.
38 Brent // Aug 20, 2008
You are a disgrace to America Nicole. Sorry we’re smart enough to call you and your Chinese fandom out, take it to the Britney blog.
And China as a whole isn’t as bad as US.. uh, because most of China is green hills. Go move there, please.
39 Matt // Aug 20, 2008
Nicole is pretty retarded. The world press is criticizing the Beijing judges. Something tells me Nicole has the yellow fever.
40 Nicole // Aug 20, 2008
WOW!! For people who are living in a country where free speech is in the Bill of Rights, you sure are pretty un-American in trying to suppress my views of China through insults and irrelevant points.
Oh, and last time I checked, greenery was a GOOD thing.
By the way, why isn’t anyone asking about how Yang Yilin didn’t get a higher score than Nastia Liukin even though there were no visible deductions on the horizontal bar? Save your pro-American crap for yourself.
41 Mark // Aug 20, 2008
K now i’m pissed.
How is US better than China?
1)We have freedom? I don’t think so, especially after 9/11 everyone was forced to pretend loving the US
2) We don’t have a dictator? Bush controlled everything at one point and look what happened to the country
3) We have freedom of religion? The goverment is trying to make the whole country one religion.
4) We have unity? Just look at all these posts to show we hate each other.
Oh, and the world press isn’t criticizing the Beijing judges. I have friends in other countries, they didn’t even hear about the controversy. US is only blaming the judges…I wonder why? Oh because we’re obnoxious, obese people who think if we lost something, it’s the judges fault
42 Ling // Aug 20, 2008
Leaving aside the politics of it, China is winning a heck of a lot of golds. Not saying there’s hanky-panky, but maybe an unconscious tilt in favor of the home crowd?
43 Mark // Aug 20, 2008
I think it’s more that the Chinese are working harder to win in their own country. The government have had a huge athletes development program for the last 8 years to make sure they can make their athletes better.
44 Mark // Aug 20, 2008
The Chinese were third overall highest medal winners and second for most golds in the 2004 olympics.
45 Dang // Aug 21, 2008
bunch of defensive commies in these comments
46 Michel // Aug 21, 2008
Mark doesn’t care about American journalists
47 Paul // Aug 21, 2008
You guys are idiots. At least Nicole and Mark are making good points. The rest of you are acting like angry three-year-olds. You’re acting exactly like communists yourselves, expecting everyone else to listen to you just because you piss and moan loud enough to annoy the hell out of people.
By the way, keep your facts straight wen you’re accusing other people of cheating. Cheng Fei is 20 and her age isn’t part of the controversy.
Michel, you missed the point about the world press not caring. The rest of the world just cares about Anna Pavlova’s issue, not about how petty the US is. Of course, only US is pathetic enough to support itself and then expect everyone else to follow.
48 Joesph // Aug 21, 2008
I think this was the best comment: “Mark doesn’t care about American journalists.”
Seriously, if you’re trying to make a point, try being logical about it. Otherwise, it’s just crap.
I agree with you Mark and Nicole.
49 Austin // Aug 21, 2008
I don’t know much about gymnastics so I can’t comment on the judging EXCEPT to say it seems like falling on your face should have a larger effect on your score. Thats just my opinion.
Also, whoever said the Chinese gymnasts aren’t underage based on the assessment that 14 year olds couldn’t handle the pressure of the Olympics…thats downright unintelligent. Athletes in China are pretty much trained from the time they can walk. At this point its almost FACT that some are underage. Official Chinese documents have been uncovered that show their real ages. The IOC just launched an investigation.
On a final note, Nicole can go fuck herself.
50 Nicole // Aug 21, 2008
Wow. I have never been ashamed of being an American until now. I always thought that other nations were jealous of us because we were so powerful and wealthy, but now I see that we’re just all petty and fundamentally idiotic people who can’t even be civil. Start reading the NY Times, maybe you’ll increase your IQ a few points above 0.
Bye.
51 Mark // Aug 21, 2008
I like how no other country in the world cares about the China’s gymnastics. Even though, other countries could get a medal if the gymnasts are proven to be young.
I like how Austin knows everything about Chinese athletes. Good for you, too bad you’re not in the olympics though.
Seriously people. You can keep talking, but in the end, you’re all just losers who aren’t even competing. At least I competed in the national level, so I have some claim to what I say. You people are just getting your information from biased news reporters. No wonder the US sucks. There’s blind idiots like you.
52 David // Aug 21, 2008
Everyone just calm down. Maybe Alicia was robbed, maybe not. It definitely looked like she was to the naked eye, but the truth of the matter is that none of us know how the judges decided the scores. So instead of getting all worked up and calling names over this one moment of the games, why can’t we all just celebrate the amazing American moments? Lezak’s amazing comeback, Phelps winning 8 golds, USA basketball still undefeated, Nastia winning the All-Around, Shawn finally getting a gold medal…things like that.
Because right now every single person on both sides of the argument looks pretty bad. Its a ridiculous thing to fight over, so drop it, forget about what happened to Alicia, and support USA athletes for the rest of the games instead of bickering with other Americans on a blog.
53 Michel // Aug 22, 2008
Good to know ignorant people have learned about the blog-o-sphere. Those judges were a disgrace to the Olympics and I’ll be anything you won’t see such inexperienced judges in the Olympics again.
54 Dannielle // Aug 22, 2008
Wow, the only sane person here is David. But, I must say that Im pretty ashamed too, having people like Austin represent the US when the best comeback they could get was f*** yourself.
In my opinion, though, Cheng did deserve the medal. She got 1.5 points deducted on the second vault with .8 points off for her fall. That leaves .7 points for other deductions. I thought that was pretty fair. Alicia, on the other hand, might have been gypped, but I definitely don’t think you should automatically start blaming the Chinese gymnasts for doing better since there ARE other competitors that also did well. Please don’t be ignorant yourself, because it just looks outright racist.
55 Dannielle // Aug 22, 2008
Oh, as an afterthought, Alicias vault wasn’t perfect either AND it was a lot easier than Chengs. Don’t just toss the importance of the starting value away so fast when it definitely does make a difference. Alicia could actually not had deserved the medal and we should just let go of this issue entirely.
56 Nki // Aug 24, 2008
I’ve got to say, I’m not an American, and this is the first time I’ve ever watched women’s gymnastics in the Olympics, but the judging was disgraceful, not only in this event, but also in the women’s all round finals. Now granted I may be an amateur to the topic, but when someone who completely messes up a routine is scored higher than someone else who nails an ever so slightly easier routine, you really have to wonder. This judging makes me scratch my head in amazement. Bela’s reaction was bang on. This is a rip off, and it shouldn’t have ever happened. So, judges, get with the frickin program!
Also, to all the diehard fans out there with statements like “china is better gymnasts”, please support your claims with evidence, or don’t waste my bandwidth.
57 raul // Oct 25, 2008
only simple beautiful girl
i hope someday meet her
alish, i like you.
kisses
peace
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