Punishing Success, Olympics-Style

Imagine an athletically talented young woman who has committed blood, sweat, tears and countless hours to her gymnastic training. She finally qualifies for her nation's Olympic team, and during the event qualifications at the Olympic Games she places in the top 24, placing her in the individual all-around competition - a life's achievement, right?

Except two of her fellow team mates placed higher and the competition's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), has a "two qualifier per nation" rule. Sorry, guess you have to wait four years and try again - if you can.

Oh, did I forget to mention that this happened to four young women - three of whom are Anastasia Grishina of Russia, Jennifer Pinches of Great Britain, and Yao Jinnan of China?


That's right, this has nothing to do with the United States' Jordyn Wieber, although she happens to be the fourth competitor whose superior performance has been summarily discarded by the FIG. In the qualifications, Wieber (USA) placed 4th, Grishina (RUS) 12th, Pinches (GBR) 21st, and Yao (CHN) 22nd, all placed in the top 24 gymnasts but behind two of their countrymen.

This is "fairness" corrupted. All four of these women should be representing their countries in the individual all-around competition, regardless of how many others from their nations are as well. The four finishers from positions 25-28 didn't perform well enough to make the cut. They shouldn't be in the all-around.

I feel horrible for Jennifer Pinches, who has been deprived of the chance to compete for herself and her country on the world's greatest stage that is also in her home country. A truly once-in-a-lifetime happenstance.

Jordyn Wieber is the reigning women's all-around world champion. It isn't just unfair to her, but it is also unfair to the other competitors that she won't compete head-to-head in the Olympic competition with all the other of the world's best. This stupid rule also cheated China's Huang Qiushuang (7th of 8) out of a spot in the uneven bars final and the United States' Kyla Ross (6th of 8) out of balance beam. The male gymnasts didn't get away from this problem either.

Thankfully, they don't have idiotic rules like this in swimming and track & field - both where ultimately the fastest people - that is, the best - get to run the race for the medals, regardless of nation.