Thanks for all the comments regarding my last entry. As I alluded to in the last blog, the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team selection controversies are NOT confined to the Women's Program.
The Men's Program is guilty of unclear decisions with little to no accountability too!
Frankly, I'm tired of hearing the excuses of "the 6-3-3 format," "the rest of the world is selecting teams just like this," and "that's just how the numbers came out."
Regardless of the 6-3-3 format, decisions need to have a transparent rationale. Plain and simple, the athletes and coaches deserve explanations. Family members, fans, and media are also worthy of clarification.
Take a peak (below) at Olympic columnist Helene Elliot's article PRIOR to the Men's Olympic Team selection. The entire piece can be viewed in it's entirety at: LA Times.com
Dennis McIntyre, head of the men's program, said the committee will ignore gut feelings and go with empirical evidence.
"We're looking at what they're doing now, not what they did two years ago," he said.
Otherwise why have trials?
"Correct. Very correct," McIntyre said. "We're really looking at results. Sometimes when you're doing that, scenarios come up and an athlete that you might not think about comes up. And from the outside looking in it's 'How did he make the team?'
"But it really is about crunching numbers and making sure you give the team the best possible chance for success."
It sounds good on paper, but I'm not so certain Mr. McIntyre's sentiments are consistent with the committee's decisions. Can we see the empirical evidence? If this year's team was picked based on a computer program, I think USA Gymnastics needs to upgrade their software or upgrade the individuals entering the data!
By the way, when is the men's program going to make a statement regarding Morgan Hamm?
USA Gymnastics' statement on July 3rd, 2008 stated that "USA Gymnastics will review this situation to determine how this may impact his qualification to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team."
It appears that several athletes' status with respect to the Olympic team remains in limbo. That doesn't appear to be very empirical. In fact, in a process that was supposed to be the most objective in recent years, this is quickly becoming the most slanted process we've ever witnessed.
Second, the rest of the world is NOT selecting teams like this. Here's an example... defending Olympic Mens Team Champions, Japan. Their Olympic team was not chosen based on this system.
I've personally witnessed what these "left-field" decisions do to individuals and their families, and while I don't propose that decisions be made to protect athlete's emotions, I subscribe to the belief that a thorough explanation can help answer questions and prevent unnecessary suffering for many athletes, coaches, and family members.
Raj Bhavsar NEVER received a formal explanation for the 2004 men's selection committee decision, and I'm confident that he's not holding his breathe for an explanation this time around.
For those of you that regularly visit the site, you know that my husband and I are close to Raj. In fact, he was Mike's best man in our wedding. I know how 2004 affected Raj, because I witnessed it first-hand.
Raj isn't the only one suffering for this practice. National Champion David Sender and crowd-pleaser Sean Golden are still scratching their heads about Olympic Team selection after their Olympic roads came to end, having not been selected to the Olympic Training Squad.
I think most will agree that our athletes deserve better treatment.
It's time for USA Gymnastics to start taking some responsibility for their decisions. If the Men's and Women's Selection Committees made their team selections more transparent, we might not agree with their decisions, but perhaps we would gain an appreciation for their perspective. Presently, many of us feel as if they are "hiding" something.
Which begs the question, why don't they make their rationale more open? Is the process too complex for the minds of gymnastics enthusiasts to comprehend? Could it be that they believe that athletes, coaches, fans are not capable of following their line of thinking? Is the decision-making process not anyone's business?
Unfortunately, our beloved sport has found itself wrapped up in gobs of controversy in the most recent Olympic Games (2000, 2004), and now it appears that we're moving toward the trend of starting the controversy before the Games even begin!
I can't sit back and watch this happen, because I care too much about gymnastics. I suggest that USA Gymnastics help our sport by supporting changes in the selection of our Olympic Teams.
Dominique-Moceanu.com sat down with Raj Bhavsar to take a closer look at the person and gymnast that we like to call "The People's Champ."
Please note, this interview was conducted the week
PRIOR to the U.S. Men's Olympic Team training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
D-M.com: Raj congratulations on a great showing at the Winter Cup, U.S. Championships, and Olympic Trials. We were bewildered when you weren't named to this year's Olympic Team. Can you share some of your thoughts with us?RB: Thanks. I was shocked too, but that part of my Olympic run was out of my control. Right now, I'm focused on my mental and physical preparation, so I haven't had time to sit back and rehash the decision.
In the months following 2004 Games, I blamed myself for not making the team, and I questioned what I could've done to solidify a spot to compete in Athens.
By 2005, I came to the realization that I'd done everything in my power to prove myself, and the team selection had less to do with my performance and more to do with outside factors. I've found peace in that, and I believe my mindset is going to allow me to be successful in 2008.
Was I disappointed with the most recent selection? Of course, but I have a CRITICAL role as an alternate to this year's Olympic team, and that's where I've chosen to focus my energy.
I hit 23 out of 24 routines during the selection process; I'm healthy, and prepared to compete. I'll continue to do my best!
D-M.com: Following the 2004 Olympics, there was some discussion about you competing for India. Was that a serious consideration? If so, do you regret not pursuing that option?RB: Yeah, there was some discussion about it, and I'm proud of my Indian heritage, but I've always dreamed of becoming a U.S. Olympian, so I didn't seriously pursue the India option.
You'd think that the men's program's recent decision would make me second-guess my thoughts, but it really hasn't. I've done everything in my power to be selected to the team and I have no regrets about my performances since the Winter Cup which is when this entire process began. My mind and body are sound.
D-M.com: Many of us were heartbroken after hearing the selection committee's decision. Did you consider refusing to take the alternate position? RB: Absolutely not.
Four years ago, I took the responsibility of being an Olympic Team alternate seriously. I trained very hard after the team was selected, and I trained extremely hard while in Athens. It wasn't easy, but I conducted myself like a professional.
Four years later, I continue to take this position seriously. Maybe even more seriously than in Athens. I'm prepared to help Team USA.
There were a lot of questions marks in 2004 and maybe even more in 2008, so I'll continue to remain focused on my Olympic preparation. I can deal with the emotional part later, but I've made it clear that I'M READY TO COMPETE. I WAS READY TO COMPETE IN ATHENS FOUR YEARS AGO, AND I'M READY TO COMPETE IN BEIJING.
I know that I didn't go through the growth, soul-searching, and anguish over the last four years to end up in "the same place" I did in 2004. When I say "same place", I don't necessarily mean the alternate position. I'm talking about my entire outlook and profile. I'm a healthier person than I was four years ago, and I'll be rewarded. I just don't know when that'll be.
The two years following Athens were really difficult for me, but I grew and learned so much about my personal pursuit of happiness.
I refuse to let the selection committee's decision to negatively impact me like it did four years ago.
D-M.com: is your approach to the upcoming Olympic Team Training Squad Camp?RB: I'm going to continue to display how prepared I am for the 2008 Olympic Games! Nothing more. Nothing less. I'm healthy emotionally and physically. All they have to do is say the word, and I'm ready to compete! If there is a change in plans, I'm 100% ready to fill the void! My track record demonstrates that.
D-M.com: Anything you'd like to add?RB: I want to thank all of the individuals that have supported me throughout my career, and especially those that have supported my over the last four years.
This time around, I really felt that people knew my story. I felt them pushing me forward, and I felt the sense of support in crowd reactions in Houston and Philadelphia. I felt support and kindness through compliments I've received all year long. I've had people that aren't even gymnastics fans telling me how much they've enjoyed my performances this year! That counts for something. In particular, I'd like to thank my family for their support. I hope that I'll continue to make them proud
D-M.com: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck!RB: Thank you for your continued support.
Labels: chalk
