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malaise

(267,791 posts)
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 05:31 PM Aug 2016

The Real Political Incident at the Olympics is the running of a race with only the US

in the 4 X 1.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/18/us-women-drop-baton-4x100-relay-and-file-an-appeal/88945320/
<snip>
RIO DE JANEIRO — It was a disaster, pure and simple. And then, a reprieve.

The U.S. women's 4x100 relay dropped the baton on the second exchange on Thursday in the qualifying heats, knocking them out of the final. However, Allyson Felix said she was bumped by a Brazilian runner right before she got to the zone, and replays confirmed. Brazil was disqualified, and a U.S. appeal was upheld.

But the Americans can't simply be advanced to the final on the eight-lane Rio track, so there will be a surreal scenario on Thursday night — the USA's 4x100 relay running alone in a time trial at 7 p,m. in Rio (6 ET). The USA will have to run faster that 42.70, which would replace eighth-place qualifier China.

Initially it was suggested that there might be a second run-off between China and Canada, who both clocked 42.70, but the IAAF took the time out to the thousandths, which places Canada seventh.

China appealed the USA's reinstatement, but it was denied.

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The Real Political Incident at the Olympics is the running of a race with only the US (Original Post) malaise Aug 2016 OP
It is difficult to run a race with yourself liberal N proud Aug 2016 #1
True but that's not the point here malaise Aug 2016 #2
If they US weren't interfered with, they wouldn't have qualified geek tragedy Aug 2016 #4
I understand how the four ladies feel and it is true that the US were clear favorites malaise Aug 2016 #8
they still have to qualify by running their qualification heat. geek tragedy Aug 2016 #9
Of course they belong - they are the best relay team on paper malaise Aug 2016 #11
I can see why the Chinese team might be upset, but geek tragedy Aug 2016 #12
There is a rule and objectively they were 'seriously interfered with' malaise Aug 2016 #13
To be fair... Hav Aug 2016 #5
I'd say the Chinese team hasn't qualified yet at all. Fair, square, or otherwise. Captain Stern Aug 2016 #7
Not in a 4x100 Johnny2X2X Aug 2016 #3
They have to do this... orwell Aug 2016 #6
Some of you have raised valid points malaise Aug 2016 #10

malaise

(267,791 posts)
2. True but that's not the point here
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 05:45 PM
Aug 2016

Why should China be eliminated when they qualified fair and square? Why create a stupid political mess over this particularly when no one can catch you in the medal department? A lil class is a good thing.
I'm about ready to jump off this planet.

Dying to see the reaction of some folks here.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
4. If they US weren't interfered with, they wouldn't have qualified
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 05:50 PM
Aug 2016

it isn't the USA running, it's four young women who've busted their asses their entire lives for this opportunity

malaise

(267,791 posts)
8. I understand how the four ladies feel and it is true that the US were clear favorites
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:04 PM
Aug 2016

but none of us knows how the race would have ended.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
9. they still have to qualify by running their qualification heat.
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:06 PM
Aug 2016

If they blow the Chinese team's time away, I think it's hard to say that the US doesn't belong

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
12. I can see why the Chinese team might be upset, but
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:19 PM
Aug 2016

there's no way to make everyone feel they've been treated fairly unless they build a new track overnight

malaise

(267,791 posts)
13. There is a rule and objectively they were 'seriously interfered with'
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:22 PM
Aug 2016

That will be the debate - were they 'seriously interfered with'?

And yes the Chinese are upset. I'm watching some discussions around it.

Hav

(5,969 posts)
5. To be fair...
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 05:51 PM
Aug 2016

The individual runners don't care that much about how many medals their country has won in comparison to the work they put in the last years. They worked for their own success. If they got eliminated and it wasn't their mistake, then they deserve a second chance. China did qualify with a specific time that the US has to beat now. Without this incident, China's time most likely wouldn't have been enough to qualify.

Captain Stern

(2,195 posts)
7. I'd say the Chinese team hasn't qualified yet at all. Fair, square, or otherwise.
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:02 PM
Aug 2016

They run two qualifying heats. The teams with the eight best times advance to the finals. One of the teams (ours) wasn't able to fairly compete in their heat due to outside interference, so they'll be given a chance to earn one of the eight best times.

The Chinese team's time is currently the eighth fastest. After the US team runs, it either will be one of the best eight, or it won't. If it's still one of the best eight, then they'll have qualified, but only then.

orwell

(7,753 posts)
6. They have to do this...
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 05:52 PM
Aug 2016

...When there is interference from another team not only should that team be DQ'd, but the aggrieved team should be given the opportunity to get into the finals through a time trial. You should not be punished by some other team's screw up. In that case a runner could knock out another runner to give another member of his/her team a better chance.

This isn't roller derby...

malaise

(267,791 posts)
10. Some of you have raised valid points
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 06:07 PM
Aug 2016

but we've had interference before without this sort of intervention.

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