Should Paul Hamm give up his gold medal even though it was awarded to him?

[JulieL]

[JulieL]

I thought the events that happened to Paul were so aweful! I couldn't believe they said the judges made a mistake. I thought this was a thought provoking dilema. I'm not sure he should give the medal back since he was awarded it. But then again is it fair that he should have a medal that should be someone elses? To make matters worse the Olympic Panel won't allow them to share the medal as both countries said they would be willing to do. What are your thoughts? I think I'll vote no...but not sure...

It wasn't his fault the judges made the error in start value and if they had noticed it before the medal ceremony it might have been different, but it was way afterwards. I think they should just award the Korean gymnast a gold too and they can share the honor of all around champion. I mean, with the figure skating pairs competition two years ago they ended up awarding a gold to both pairs teams. Why not do the same thing now?? Both gymnasts were awesome. If the countries are willing to share, they should settle it and share!

[lizajane]

paul said it best himself. **HE** didn't do anything wrong! he is willing to share, which is the right thing to do.

[jec2]

Dh and I had this discussion too the other night. I offered that it would be a lovely gesture to volunteer to swap medals. DH made the point that ideally, the judges would not error. However, part of the competition and the Olympics is the judging...if the judges error, well, the judges error and Paul should keep the gold.

[s7714]

It's my understanding that the S. Korean team had every opportunity to contest the original DD score during the event and even after the routine. NBC said the US contested several of the DD scores the judges came up with before their athletes preformed. If they did it, why didn't the S. Korean team? I mean this is the Olympics for pete's sake. If hundredths of a point matters, shouldn't they be looking at everything and questioning everything right off the bat, instead of waiting until it's all said and done and then try to change things? If they did try to do something about it earlier and something happened so things didn't go according to proceedure, the media hasn't mentioned it. I feel bad for the S. Korean athlete, and perhaps he should be given a gold medal as well, but I do not think Hamm needs to give up his medal.

Jennifer
Mommy to Annalia 03/03/03

[mudder17]

I agree with what most people have said here: Paul Hamm should not give up his medal because he earned it, even if it was in part due to a judging error. Since both athletes and countries have agreed to share the gold, I think the IOC should at least consider it. But judging is in part subjective, especially when it comes to hundredths of a point and I think Paul Hamm earned the gold honestly.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

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[redhookmom]

I have been giving this some thought lately. In the end I would say, no. If it could be concluded that NO other mistakes were made in either his scoring or his oppenents then I would say yes. But, I am sure other mistakes or subjective scores could be argued.

It is like when the ref makes a mistake in the last 10 seconds of a game and he/she gets blamed for the outcome. WAIT, there were a 100 other plays and most likely some other mistakes...

ITA with everything you just said!!

Angela
EDD 10/15/04
A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg

[Tondi G]

He should keep his GOLD! He earned it.... whether the judges made a mistake or not, it isn't his fault and I think it is rediculous how he is being treated by fans..... he had NOTHING to do with it! They have now gone back and looked over the tapes of both routines and it shows that there was a fault in the other guys routine.... more than 4 holds that would have lowered his score..... After that mistake and the one last night after the high bar routine and them changing Alexi's score...... those judges should be on point right about now.... not making further mistakes!!!!! In my opinion the Koreans waited too long to contest it.... and now the tapes are being scrutinized..... it's just wrong. The medals were awarded.... thats the end of it... better luck next time!!!!!

~Tondi