Remember Paul Hamm in the Athens Olympics? He landed his vault on the scorer's table and still managed a 9.137 and ended up winning the all-around Gold.
Does this unfairness sound familiar, America? Hamm set the future bar, we just didn't realize it amidst our celebrating his gold.
What about Jonathan Horton? His high bar routine was stupendous, and could have been considered as great as Zou Kai's. But Zou Kai has a stellar reputation, as well as Yang Wei, and Horton, despite his great routine, was a freaking alternate on the men's 2004 team in Athens.
Horton is earning the star treatment, but still needs to do well in worlds before he gets the complete treatment.
Reputation and perceived dominance in a sport has its rewards. The USA Redeem Team will surely benefit from the treatment, while other teams will not. The Americans will double-dribble, push-off, travel, palm the ball, and to hell with the referees for blowing the whistle on them. It's "allowed" now.
Paris Hilton can still cut to the front of the womens' bathroom line and have her security guard hold back ten desperate women who have been patiently waiting their turn. It's how the world rolls.
Special people get special treatment and we, the second-class citizens of the world, know that. We don't like it, but hey, too bad. We, after all, allow it. It's how we roll.
The scoring was fair, consistent and legitimate compared to previous Olympic competitions, despite the probable disrespect the US got in this Olympiad. Those same American gymnasts will be bestowed the treatment if and when they compete in London 2012, don't kid yourselves. They earned it.
It's the American way. And now, the Chinese way.
China, for all of its attempts at appearing more westernized, has finally figured out how to play with the big boys and girls. Demand the star treatment. Expect the star treatment.
We taught them well.
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