who is Paul Hamm?
He should keep it. At first I though what a great sportsmen he would be to offer it as a split medal, then the real facts came out and the Korean did not deserve to even medal at all. It is an insult to him and the hard work he has done to try and make him get rid of it. The USOC and the IOC is absolutely right on this and the FGC (right acronym?) went way over board on this. If I was Hamm and the USOC I would demand an apoligy from the FGC.
Paul earned the gold. If the Koreans want to push this, Yang should give up his bronze to the guy who came in fourth as he had four holds instead of three.
Gymnastics judging is very subjective. The judges that night gave Mr. Hamm the score he needed to finish first. They felt he had the best score. Had the Korean's score been scored correctly and been higher, there is nothing to say the judges would not have scored Mr. Hamm accordingly higher to award him the gold.
Similary the judges did not deduct as much as they might have from the Korean's score on one event [bars?] because he started from such a low maximum. Anyone who watches gymnastics knows this, even though the Federation likes to pretend scoring is all science.
Bottom line, the judges thought Mr. Hamm was the best all around gymnast that day. You can go back and pick at this or that or the other call or judgement in any sporting event. Mr. Hamm earned his medal and should keep it.
I understand that he did not cheat to win the Gold Medal but he is taking credit for something he did not actually do.
Suppose in 36 years Paul runs for President of the United States and as part of his Campaign he 'claims' to have won a Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics.
However, everyone who was in Athens form a group, buy commercial time and tell the world what really happened at the Olympics.
He should give back his medals just as John Kerry should give up his medals.
I just read on Fox News that his gold medal will be taken away and given to the Korean gymnast. This hits home for me as well as for any teacher who has had a grade challenged and changed due to an unjust complaint. This is yet another example of empty barrels making the most noise.