Pow Wow in Shanghai

Glad to be back in Shanghai, the place i used to call home. Daren came back to visit Aileen (he went back to Malaysia in April), so Les and I decided to fly down just to hang out with the chain gang. We've missed them so much. Even though our lives have sorta moved on, hanging out was exactly the same as before. No need to warm up at all.

Les, Daren and Jackson are out for Boy's Night, so i'm here blogging.

Can't believe that the Olympics is gonna be over in 2 days. What am i gonna watch on TV after this?!

I'm quite proud of the Chinese for pulling this off, despite all the scandals and controversies... Like the fake footprints amidst the fireworks, the lip-synching, the "fake" ethnic children. The critics have been overly harsh on the opening ceremony. It's just a show. If one wants to nit-pick and find fault, it can go on and on. Next thing u know, someone's gonna say that LiNing didn't really fly.


The only disappointing thing is the underaged gymnasts. I have mixed feelings on this. I feel so much for He Kexin, she must have worked so hard to get the goldS, to take them away from her is just cruel. It wasn't her choice. I'm not surprised if sneaking in underaged gymnasts is a common practice. It could be escalated partly because it's China, the one country that everyone is rooting to fail.

But to be fair, i googled to gain some knowledge on the advantages/disadvantages of young gymnasts... And why the 16 yr old age limit was implemented in 1996.

Arguments FOR removing the age limit.

1. A gymnast peaks in performance at the age of 15-16.
2. Being young gives u advantage on 2 levels- Mental (more fearless) and Physical (lighter cos pre-puberty, more nimble).
3. World's phenomenol gymnasts were mostly 14, and that was before the age limit was imposed.
4. This rule had ALWAYS been controversial.

But on the flipside...

1. Taking part at 14 would also mean that one has to start training at a much younger age, torturing the body before it is allowed to grow enough.
2. It's actually cruel. Endorsing He Kexin is like endorsing abuse of children.
3. And a rule is a rule, controversial or not. Cheating creates an unequal playing field. It penalizes those who uphold the Olympics Spirit, the ones who play by the rules.

Anyway despite all these, world records are still broken, history is still made. Cannot deny that EVEN without the 6 gymnastic medals, China is far ahead in the gold medal count. It's like falling down, just get up and walk. no big deal.