[8IhGpvH0]

Yup. That's what I said. Every country should get the chance to compete though. Shoot, why can't the U.S. field two or three olympic basketball teams. I bet our B squad would have a chance to medal. That's unfair!

I think it is a little different when these competitors are already in the Olympics and competing for spots with gymnasts from other countries rather than at home competing to make the olympic squad. There isn't a rule like that in any other sport that I am aware of.

[TpDoctorOneTp]

Defending world champion . . . and not even the second best gymnast in her country this week. Everyone falters at the Olympics.

Her score of 60+ was better than almost all other gymnasts... that's not exactly faltering.

So maybe swimming should only send one person?
Phelps and Lochte should duel it out in Trials so the rest of the world doesn't have to see two Americans on the podium at the same time?

[Kemapreedasse]

I saw the beam and Wieber had a really awful performance there. Not sure about the others.

Awful? I don't recall her falling even once.

I think you need to watch a few non-US gymnasts to see what "awful" is.

[Junrlaeh]

What IS the purpose behind the rule? To force participation from more countries and keep one country from dominating? Didn't realize this was Little League.

First, I don't get the distaste for the idea of sportsmanship and competition that is usually associated with Little League.

Second, I don't understand why you guys don't understand what the Olympics are really about. It's unfortunate.

[Annyllop21]

Awful? I don't recall her falling even once.

I think you need to watch a few non-US gymnasts to see what "awful" is.

I think you should watch her performance on the beam again.

[LxtdK9i4]

First, I don't get the distaste for the idea of sportsmanship and competition that is usually associated with Little League.

Second, I don't understand why you guys don't understand what the Olympics are really about. It's unfortunate.

The little league stuff is the more recent take that no one loses anymore, which a lot of people think has a negative effect on kids.

[Jasonstawnosaa]

I think you should watch her performance on the beam again.

Are you saying she fell?

[dgdhgjjgj]

I saw the beam and Wieber had a really awful performance there. Not sure about the others.

Yea, so you didn't watch then, she was far from awful. Had no major errors, she checked her balance once that was the only problem.

[famosetroie]

I think it is a little different when these competitors are already in the Olympics and competing for spots with gymnasts from other countries rather than at home competing to make the olympic squad. There isn't a rule like that in any other sport that I am aware of.

Of course it's different -- but what is the purpose behind these Olympic qualifying rules? People are arguing that the Olympics are always about seeing the best athletes compete. Well, it's not true. There are rules in place to help give every team a chance of competing.

[BenWired306]

Are you saying she fell?

Absolutely not. But that doesn't mean she didn't have a bad performance on the beam.

[hopertveyk]

I think you should watch her performance on the beam again.

Pretty sure her score (which many criticized was harshly scored) proves her performance wasn't awful.

[enrisaabsotte]

Absolutely not. But that doesn't mean she didn't have a bad performance on the beam.

You think the judges were too lenient on her decent score?

[Krruqgwt]

Yea, so you didn't watch then, she was far from awful. Had no major errors, she checked her balance once that was the only problem.

Really irrelevant what I think about her beam performance. She wasn't one of the top two from her country. I blame her performance on the balance beam for that. But again, not relevant to the discussion at hand.

[Evoryboypoto]

You think the judges were too lenient on her decent score?

Irrelevant what I think about Wieber's beam score. You guys are grasping at straws because the "Olympics are about the best vs. the best" argument has fallen apart.

[orillaVar]

The little league stuff is the more recent take that no one loses anymore, which a lot of people think has a negative effect on kids.

In that case, I'm not sure why it was even brought up. Really a ridiculous comment. Tell Wieber that no one loses anymore. People aren't getting rewarded just for competing -- they are being given an opportunity to compete in the spirit of the Olympic games.

Each country sends its best athletes. Each country is limited in some way so that other countries can send their athletes to compete. The two-per-country rule is just an extension of every other rule that the Olympics implement.

Now, maybe you're right that it's used differently -- but it's still used to fulfill the same purpose of all of the other limitations that the Olympics have.

[juliannamed]

Irrelevant what I think about Wieber's beam score. You guys are grasping at straws because the "Olympics are about the best vs. the best" argument has fallen apart.

How so? All youve said is WE DONT KNOW WHAT ITS ABOUT.. ok so whats it about? Letting mediocre talent compete with top notch talent just to be fair everyone gets a chance to inspire their nation??

Brilliant..

[Vobomei]

LMAO... The spirit..

[realfan87]

I'm going to quickly address SUNT's point that it's not done this way in other events and then be on my way. Here is a possible reason (although who knows if I'm right on this) as to why it would be done in the all-around gymnastics competition.

The all-around competition is different from other events. Theoretically, you could put together a team of 4 girls who are strong at each event, but not great at each event. In the meantime, you have a girl who is great at the vault (i.e. McKayla Maroney) but not that strong at the other events. In a world where 4 girls from one country are allowed to compete in the all-around, you may not see McKayla Maroney make the team.

In essence, by allowing more than 2 girls from each country, you could be watering down the talent in the other individual competitions and actually undermining the "best vs. best" idea of the Olympic games. This probably happens to an extent already.

[karkinadze]

I'm going to quickly address SUNT's point that it's not done this way in other events and then be on my way. Here is a possible reason (although who knows if I'm right on this) as to why it would be done in the all-around gymnastics competition.

The all-around competition is different from other events. Theoretically, you could put together a team of 4 girls who are strong at each event, but not great at each event. In the meantime, you have a girl who is great at the vault (i.e. McKayla Maroney) but not that strong at the other events. In a world where 4 girls from one country are allowed to compete in the all-around, you may not see McKayla Maroney make the team.

In essence, by allowing more than 2 girls from each country, you could be watering down the talent in the other individual competitions and actually undermining the "best vs. best" idea of the Olympic games. This probably happens to an extent already.

Well I guess youre right, as long as that girl from the Sudan who's going to get her ass kicked at least has a shot.. Its the right thing to do to let her in at the chance at inspiring her nation.

[arrasleds]

How so? All youve said is WE DONT KNOW WHAT ITS ABOUT.. ok so whats it about? Letting mediocre talent compete with top notch talent just to be fair everyone gets a chance to inspire their nation??

Brilliant..

I've laid out why I think the rule is a good rule. I'm glad not to be one of the people overreacting to a rule because it ended up hurting an American athlete this year.

In the end, it won't affect me. But you are all welcome to cry about it. I'll be busy enjoying the rest of the Olympics.