Never thought I'd speak out on a subject like this, but it's disgusting to learn that coaches have access to judges in practice, openly lobbying in some cases BEFORE the competition. I had trouble sleeping I was so angry. These people dedicate themselves as few of us will ever do, AND last night, they were perfect.

It's pre-judging is pretty obvious though, there was an American couple who were not expected to do much (Ina & Zimmerman). They turned in the performance of their lives, nearly flawless, 5th or 6th they ended up. They deserved silver, bronze at least. But they skated early, and the commentators at the time said that their skate was worthy of a medal at that point, but that the "big guns" were much later, and the Americans were doomed to be forgotten. And of course they were, a sidenote-story that will be forgotten in light of the more glaring theft of the gold.

What I love about the Olympics, is the respect that the fans have for all athletes and countries, you see it best when an American crowd rallies behind a Canadian pair like this, and even in events where the American is leading and then a foreigner turns in a great run to capture top spot, and the crowd still goes wild. It's all about appreciation of a great performance and respect, shows the true side of people.

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It's a shame that these athletes work their entire life to get the chance to compete in the Olympic games, and some screwball judges ruin the whole thing.

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Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut http://www.muellersatomics.com/

Fortunately the local Olympic scandal was basically thrown out of court here in SLC way before this got off the ground. No one could prove anything! The real culprit here is ex mayor Corodini who is also getting royal treatment by the olympics people. I say Poo-tang to her! Go away!

I can bet that there will be a growing scandle from the figure skating thing. There will also be alot of reform in the judging in future games, but you really hit the main point here that an athlete wins by visually un-noticable fractions of a second. To me that makes watching them all very boreing, its all the same. It all looks basically the same on things like downhill, and Luge, etc. Pretty boreing. I will always support the Olympcs but its time for some MAJOR changes.
Mark @ GTS

The descrepancy in the skating is clear when watching the replay's on the monitor. I am sure this will be corrected. If this were to be swept under the table I might agree with you. However, at this point in time I will continue the cheer...U-S-A, U-S-A.

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p.s. Notice how the only games Americans have excelled in require heavy pot smoking? Congrats snow boarders!

I am shocked, upset and concerned about what is going on with the Olympics.

First of all, glad to make you laugh so much.

The points about drug tests and bribing are so way off the mark I had to set you straight here.

First of all, here in the 2002 Winter Olympics, we have the most comprehensive drug testing program to date for the olympians. They must be tested upon arrival, and within one hour of EACH EVENT. That means plenty of testing. No drugged or doped athelete will compete period here.

Second, as to the so called BRIBERY scandal. What bribe exactly got the games to OUR CITY as you put it?

In this case, PRIVATE individuals using PRIVATE funds to purchase PRIVATE gifts to be given to other PRIVATE individuals working for other PRIVATE businesses with NO GOVERNMENTAL MONEY OR INFLUENCE, does not constitue BRIBERY. It is the same when lets say I go to a THEATER and give MY MONEY to the THEATER to show ME a MOVIE. Is this bribery? Sure why not?

Lets not forget that Nagano Japan gave more than 500 thousand dollars in actual CASH to get the winter olympics. Lets not forget that this type of cash and gift giving to win over the bid committee has been going on for a century now. Just because Salt Lake was the last one to do it, doesnt mean it was illegal. This has been proven in court. And every time the justice department refiles charges, they always get thrown out, because what was done is NOT ILLEGAL!!!

We did not BUY the games. We only played the game as it has been played for so very very long. We played the game for twenty years before we finally WON THE GAMES as it were. We are the most equipped and prepared city in the world for the games. We are even the largest city to have every hosted the games. Why would you think we would have to buy the games. This has never been proved anyway. How does anyone know that we wouldnt have won the bid anyway?

Suffice it to say, I am fed up with people crapping on Salt Lake with a bunch of nonsense!

As for the games all fixed? Oh come on. get real, in a timed event that doesnt wash at all. The judged ones, well apparently so.

WWF??? Wrestling honest? Give me a break.