Gabby Douglas Hate - (Hopefully) An End

[lhmom]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/awrite-fannybaws?utm_term=.aiEAa1Nyg#.crK4D3Njk

Must show this to my husband!

 

[Sasha]

About the flag thing...

Yes, there is a specified code of conduct that suggests the "hand over heart" pose, but the whole code is intended to be a guide. It is not enforced, there is no penalty, and, therefore, is voluntary.

"Thus, the Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include enforcement provisions; rather the Code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups."

"The Flag Code itself, however, suggests a general rule by which practices involving the flag may be fairly tested: “No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.”5 Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown."

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
(Bold added by me for emphasis)

Personally, I like to follow the suggested protocol, and I do place my hand over my heart. I do recognize, however, that not everyone feels as bound by this 'voluntary' tradition. I do feel that an athlete standing and facing the flag could reasonably be "deemed acceptable."

I get that the Olympic Podium has a special significance, and I do see that taking a different 'pose' than what a large segment of people believe is most appropriate will invite criticism. It is OK to say, "I would have preferred that the athlete follow this convention that is important to me", but the amount and degree of criticism, and the very presumptive attitudinal attributions (e.g., assuming she must be bored, upset, disinterested, unpatriotic, selfish - you name the thought or emotion) are disappointing.

 

[Canadian_gym_mom]

you are grown adults and keep commenting on the expression and hadn position of a kid during a competition. i would scold my pupils (aged 9-19) for such behavior. we expect better from them. to me this whole disucssion is (at best!) extremly superficial and ridiculos, hurtful and unkind and bullying at worst.

My first comment on this thread, but she isn't a kid, she's 20.

She's not a kid competing JO, she is a professional athlete and reality television star.

She is also supposed to be a role model to the thousands of young gymnasts watching the olympics, standing in front of televisions all across the world trying to emulate their idols.

I also agree that much of her perceived public persona is a direct fallout of the influence of her family.

But it remains, she is a 20 year old adult.

 

[suebee]

I'm not a Gabby fan, but don't consider myself to be a Gabby hater either.

I mainly just feel badly for her. From what I understand, it seems as though she is a 20 year old young adult who is financially supporting her entire family of adults, including her mother and adult siblings, and perhaps her grandmother too, because I read her grandmother was living with her when she was training at Buckeye because Gabby didn't want to be alone. I can't imagine the pressure of that, and while 20 is a young adult, I think it is young to be supporting an entire family of adults and knowing that their well-being depends upon you.

And it seems like there may be some dysfunction in her family as well, and any family dysfunction is difficult, but worse when it's all tangled up in money.

I watched Bob Costas interview Simone and Aly after their AA wins, and he asked Aly about all the sacrifices she had made to make it to this point. And she answered something to the extent of (and I'm paraphrasing) that she and Simone were so lucky because they had parents who supported them and could afford to put them in gymnastics and take them through this journey. And I wondered whether she meant that Gabby's journey was totally different. Maybe she didn't at all, but I wondered.

Aly and Simone are also young adults. But as I understand it, they both live at home with their parents still and their parents still help them tremendously. I read that Aly said she sometimes even calls her dad to drive her home from practice when she's so exhausted and doesn't feel safe to drive herself home. Whereas Gabby's mom is in the media herself, probably trying to make things better for Gabby, but just somehow always seems to make it worse. Certainly she's not living with Gabby and providing her with every day support and help, but maybe it's because the family is dysfunctional and her daily presence would make things worse?

 

[l.c.o]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/awrite-fannybaws?utm_term=.aiEAa1Nyg#.crK4D3Njk

I think the Scots have the best words.

(Also I've been patiently awaiting adoption by a family in the UK for most of my life because vocabulary and accents and amazing travel options)

 

[Flyaway]

I will say I am not a Gabby fan. I respect her as a gymnast and I think the media and the critics have been harsh on her. I also think she tends to play the victim. She claimed bullying when she left Excalibur, she claimed bullying when she did not perform well on UB at the last Olympics. They may be true, but maybe it is her perception of things when situations don't go her way and she needs to find someone else to blame. For me she has turned into the gymnast who has cried wolf.

Either way, she is a young girl who has accomplished great things, and I hope that while this experience is uncomfortable and unpleasant, that like other young people who have to deal with harsh critics in the public eye, she will use this as an opportunity to grow and learn. She represented USA well and deserves to be honored for those accomplishments. Unfortunately history tends to remember the controversy/scandal not the awards.

Yes. This.

 

[ladybird]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/awrite-fannybaws?utm_term=.aiEAa1Nyg#.crK4D3Njk

Back OT again, but someone (possibly Margo) had "Numpty Watcher" as a signature at some point here correct???

I am totally using this word now that I know what it means

 

[bogwoppit]

Back OT again, but someone (possibly Margo) had "Numpty Watcher" as a signature at some point here correct???

I am totally using this word now that I know what it means

Yes she did, it was a gift from me.

 

[CoachMeg]

This video sort of sums up my thoughts on the subject.

Also, Gabby's mom is a whole other story and I'd rather not drag Gabby down because of her mother's words/actions.

My post was to simply say that Gabby is getting an unusual amount of hate...yes, I use the word "hate" because at this point it has gone beyond criticism. I understand this is a gymnastics forum and we discuss pretty much only gymnastics....but when Gabby's medal ceremony demeanor is a trending topic on Facebook for a week straight, and Hope Solo's nasty, poor sportsmanship attitude isn't, there's something wrong.

Honestly, it boggles my mind that people are so wrapped up in her posture on the podium. Like, she just won a GOLD medal for our country...wearing "USA" plastered all over her warm-ups....yet, she gets hate for not loving her country enough.

 

[CoachMeg]

Is Gabby supposed to be off limits cause she a gymnast? Is gymnastics too dainty and fancy/special of a sport that people can't say anything but positive supportive things about our athletes?

I don't think anyone has ever said gymnastics is "off limits" from criticism because it's "dainty"...whatever that means. I'm talking about HATE...and people who are constantly and passionately saying negative things about Gabby's gymnastics/demeanor/character. It's sad. And maybe I'm just an overly sensitive person, but I have always been one to stick up for anyone that is being bullied. And in this social media age, online bullying is super prevalent. I have read some utterly disgusting things on Facebook revolving Gabby Douglas and that is what prompted me to start this thread. It needs to stop.

 

[LindyHopper]

Back OT again, but someone (possibly Margo) had "Numpty Watcher" as a signature at some point here correct???

I am totally using this word now that I know what it means

What does it mean? I tried googling, but nothing made sense.

 

[JessSyd]

My post was to simply say that Gabby is getting an unusual amount of hate...yes, I use the word "hate" because at this point it has gone beyond criticism. I understand this is a gymnastics forum and we discuss pretty much only gymnastics....but when Gabby's medal ceremony demeanor is a trending topic on Facebook for a week straight, and Hope Solo's nasty, poor sportsmanship attitude isn't, there's something wrong.

Honestly, it boggles my mind that people are so wrapped up in her posture on the podium. Like, she just won a GOLD medal for our country...wearing "USA" plastered all over her warm-ups....yet, she gets hate for not loving her country enough.

From an outsider's perspective, Gabby, with the team, represented all that is wonderful about US gymnastics when she was poetry to watch as she did her thing. I do not think you guys realise just how amazing you look to countries that do not have the same gymnastics culture. Genuine awe, for all of the women on that team.

The haters who are still banging on about how her patriotism does not look like their preferred brand of patriotism, especially even now after she has apologised and it has been made clear how distressing she is finding it - they are vocal and visible to the rest of the world and they are certainly not doing their country proud. But I bet the irony of that would be lost on them.

 

[ladybird]

What does it mean? I tried googling, but nothing made sense.

Basically an idiot

 

[Iwannabemargo]

its a polite word for someone who does a silly thing.

Despite our perceived irreverence a lot of us was brung up proper and are polite whilst gently chastising. Numpty is word I use with my family. "Oh Pink, you fell over your own feet, you numpty!"

One up from Numpty is Twonk, "that friend of yours is a complete Twonk when his is drunk, maybe you need another friend", still polite but more forceful, then we have a whole other dictionary that, whilst it will make the spam filter here, is not to used on an open forum

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Gabby just helped win an Olympic gold medal for her country while we sat on the couch at home and watched.

She does not owe it to us to stand how we think she should stand. She does not owe it to us to say what we think she should say. She does not owe it to us to smile when we think she should smile.

She owes us exactly nothing.

 

[Terry]

She does not owe it to us to stand how we think she should stand. She does not owe it to us to say what we think she should say. She does not owe it to us to smile when we think she should smile.

She owes us exactly nothing.

But she owed it to her team, her sponsors and to Marta Karolyi to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike way. And she failed there. hats an attitude problem. She also failed to come through for them in EFs. That may have been due to less than outstanding training. Or just the pressure she felt. who knows.

But the main thing I think is not this "is gabby patriotic" issue. I doubt her deportment at the team medal ceremony reflected a lack of patriotism. I think it reflected an overall lack of enthusiasm for the games when she realized she was no longer the star -- and relegated to the position of specialist along with Madison Kocian who she did not have the ability to surpass.

Many people have had serious issues with Gabby and her family for 4 years now. The stories about unpaid gym bills, the hopping from coach to coach, the fact that at the age of 16 her family allowed her to be their sole means of support, buying big houses with her money instead of saving it for her post gymnastics education and life. The clear appearance that Gabby was not putting in the hours or discipline needed for a comeback. The less than stellar performance at the games this year, coupled with a rather apparent lack of enthusiasm for her team and her teammates accomplishments. But right or wrong many people found her aloof, arrogant and self-centered long before Rio.

When you step into the limelight, as one does when one becomes an Olympian, you are accepting the publicity that comes with it. And that means that, certainly by the age of 20 (she is an adult now), you understand that you will indeed by judged by the behavior people see. And too many people do not like what they see in Gabby.

 

[bogwoppit]

But she owed it to her team, her sponsors and to Marta Karolyi to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike way. And she failed there. hats an attitude problem. She also failed to come through for them in EFs. That may have been due to less than outstanding training. Or just the pressure she felt. who knows.

But the main thing I think is not this "is gabby patriotic" issue. I doubt her deportment at the team medal ceremony reflected a lack of patriotism. I think it reflected an overall lack of enthusiasm for the games when she realized she was no longer the star -- and relegated to the position of specialist along with Madison Kocian who she did not have the ability to surpass.

Many people have had serious issues with Gabby and her family for 4 years now. The stories about unpaid gym bills, the hopping from coach to coach, the fact that at the age of 16 her family allowed her to be their sole means of support, buying big houses with her money instead of saving it for her post gymnastics education and life. The clear appearance that Gabby was not putting in the hours or discipline needed for a comeback. The less than stellar performance at the games this year, coupled with a rather apparent lack of enthusiasm for her team and her teammates accomplishments. But right or wrong many people found her aloof, arrogant and self-centered long before Rio.

When you step into the limelight, as one does when one becomes an Olympian, you are accepting the publicity that comes with it. And that means that, certainly by the age of 20 (she is an adult now), you understand that you will indeed by judged by the behavior people see. And too many people do not like what they see in Gabby.

Oh you came back!

 

[Terry]

Oh you came back!

Last time. I promise.

 

[skschlag]

But she owed it to her team, her sponsors and to Marta Karolyi to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike way. And she failed there. hats an attitude problem. She also failed to come through for them in EFs. That may have been due to less than outstanding training. Or just the pressure she felt. who knows.

Like her or not, she did not "fail" in event finals. She made event finals! She is one of the top 8 IN THE WORLD on bars. That is amazing. We should be excited for our gymnasts, all our athletes, for being in the Olympics, whether they medal or not. This uniquely American thing of only celebrating our medal winners is not what we tell our kiddos, but we are showing it to them now. My ds even said to me that he guesses The USA only cares to see gymnastics when we medal, and nothing more. We talk about gabby being a role model, but what are we showing our kiddos with the media coverage.

And I say this again as well. We are not there. Gabby may be cheering before the cameras get to her. She is not as exuberant as others, and that's ok. She is her own person. She can be quiet and shy. We are only seeing what they want us to see...not everything.

If any other 16 year old was the sole support of an entire family, we would be feeling for that 16 year old.

 

[lhmom]

But she owed it to her team, her sponsors and to Marta Karolyi to behave in a professional and sportsmanlike way. And she failed there. hats an attitude problem. She also failed to come through for them in EFs. That may have been due to less than outstanding training. Or just the pressure she felt. who knows.

But the main thing I think is not this "is gabby patriotic" issue. I doubt her deportment at the team medal ceremony reflected a lack of patriotism. I think it reflected an overall lack of enthusiasm for the games when she realized she was no longer the star -- and relegated to the position of specialist along with Madison Kocian who she did not have the ability to surpass.

Many people have had serious issues with Gabby and her family for 4 years now. The stories about unpaid gym bills, the hopping from coach to coach, the fact that at the age of 16 her family allowed her to be their sole means of support, buying big houses with her money instead of saving it for her post gymnastics education and life. The clear appearance that Gabby was not putting in the hours or discipline needed for a comeback. The less than stellar performance at the games this year, coupled with a rather apparent lack of enthusiasm for her team and her teammates accomplishments. But right or wrong many people found her aloof, arrogant and self-centered long before Rio.

When you step into the limelight, as one does when one becomes an Olympian, you are accepting the publicity that comes with it. And that means that, certainly by the age of 20 (she is an adult now), you understand that you will indeed by judged by the behavior people see. And too many people do not like what they see in Gabby.

And again, it seems that you are projecting here. You are assuming that she reacted that way at the ceremony because she felt she was no longer the "star". You know, out of curiosity, I went to YouTube and googled last year's Worlds medal Ceremony. When they stood up there for the anthem, it looked like Gabby was not the only one who did not have her hand on her heart. As for Rio, I guess I saw a different gymnast during the team qualifications, finals and after. I saw her hugging teammates after events, chatting with them. Even when it was apparent that she did not qualify for AA, I still saw her smile as they rotated to the last event. No sulking in a corner, no avoiding people. And again, her teammates have publicly thanked her for support and do not seem to have a problem with her (Aly thanked her on Instagram for her sweet text right after the AA). I guess I see someone who is a bit more introverted than the others and sympathize. There have been past issues with her family, yes. But to judge her solely on that in this instance is frankly unfair. And maybe, just maybe try to find and little empathy for her.