10/19/06

The Chinese – Rising Giant!

“It was a great day for the Chinese, who finished seventh at the Athens Olympics. They haven't won a medal at worlds since 1999 and in 2003, they infamously gave away the bronze when an athlete was penalized for warming up for her beam routine on the podium near the beam, which wasn't allowed.” This is a portent of things to come. We all know that China will host the Olympics in 2008, what many people may not be aware of is the huge commitment they have made to sporting excellence. They will be a factor to be reckoned with in all sports, not just the sports where they have traditionally done well. They just had excellent success at the World Rowing Championships. I have spoken to several coaches and sport scientists who have been there is the past year and the word is scary. They have taken talent identification to the max. One story is that in men’s volleyball if you are not 2 meters tall they will not even look at you. Let’s not be naïve, doping is probably a factor, but when you have large and diverse a population and coaching you can’t help but be successful. They have taken the systematic approach of the former eastern European countries and invested huge sums of money and human resources to achieving world domination in sport.

posted by Vern Gambetta @ 10/19/2006 09:10:00 AM   6 comments

6 Comments:

At 10/19/06, 1:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This year the UCI had an U-23 category at World Championships for women's mountain-biking and two Chinese girls cleaned up (1 and 2) with no problem. I agree, China is working really hard for good results in 2008.

As for the doping comment, I doubt the doping in China is any worse than in North America.

 
At 10/19/06, 3:56 PM, Blogger Joe Przytula said...

Sorry, I'm not buying into this one yet. Cheating seems to be state sposored. Just look at the shinnanegans they play with their currancy valuations and software piracy.

 
At 10/19/06, 11:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The comment above about state-sponsored cheating is flimsy. It is based on paranoia rather than reason.

 
At 10/20/06, 12:45 PM, Blogger Joe Przytula said...

Thanks for your diagnosis of paranoia anonymous. You're right. The idea of state sponsored doping in communist countries is rediculous. You really know your DSMR IV manual. You deserve an award from the APA for sure.

 
At 10/21/06, 2:16 PM, Blogger Matt Patterson said...

George Bush may not be getting the needles ready, but with all the doping associated with the US Track Team in the last few years, I'd say that those guys might be close to state sponsored doping.

Seems like the US might be one of the world leaders as far as performance enhancing drugs goes. There is a huge market-need for that stuff in all North American pro-sports, where testing pretty much does not exist.

 
At 10/22/06, 2:33 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The REALITY is...HAVING BEEN IN ELITE OLYMPIC SPORT...And knowing many Olympic staff from various NGB's and countries who travel to BEIJING as past of OLYMPIC TEAMS. CHINA IS PREPARED! Regardless of any doping suggestions which will ALWAYS surround an Olympics and sport. In 04'Wilma Shakespeare, Head of the EIS and formerly head of the AIS stated and predicted China's potential dominace in sport in Beijing. Just look at the Chinese dominance in Aerial Freestyle skiing.

If only we would stop limiting tag at recess and take care of our own domestic problems and fund sport we might be more competitive in the years to come.

And...who cares about low box DVD's anyways! We lack such imagination and innovation and DEFINITION in this field. Quite frankly and fron personal experience having traveled the world. All these GURU's do is promote ieas and concepts that have little scientific basis and progression and have little impact when working in a truly intergrated elite team environment. Cutting edge and innovative is not another dvd series. Look at the guys who REALLY understand-the asking different questions and creating better environments.

 

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