The hounding of Gabby Douglas at the Olympics

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I really couldn't care less about this. Gabby Douglas is a gymnast first and foremost.

I really f*****g hate nationalism and if I were an Olympian I might not even stand on the podium let alone put my hand o my heart. Nationalism is a cancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ88FLqH0Vg

the way she stands... NOT RESPECTFUL. The one shot especially. The smiling shot she was not in any way thinking of the flag or America..com'on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhkMwAhIOcU

how REAL mil brats stand at attention for the colors up or down......

She tried to excuse herself then she manned up and apologized. Yet has defenders.

Rio turned parts this whole crew of spoiled elitist entitled generation atheletes into national embarassments n(Swim team anyone?)

And no nationalism .. when speaking of Olympics? are you serious? so how about no more Olympics too. Why the hell should I want our govt out so much of our tax dollars our for some team if they are not OUR team. Let them all find Real jobs. Make it a national vote... if any govt funds, matching or total go to Olympic teams that do not REPRESENT our country

So you think she is an entitled spoiled brat just based on the way she stands?

Well, maybe she is. I don't know her. What I do know is that she has put an incredible number of hours into training. She is doing this for herself, not her country. As spectators, we like to root for our home country but it's very different from the athlete's point of view. I think the Olympics are about sports and not about nationalism. That's just my view. Athletes are basically pawns. They get to enjoy their sport but at a price.

Also, look into the state of women's gymnastics. I'm sure she has faced a lot of abuse from the Karolyis. They are not good people. Maybe she is carrying some anger around.

As for Lochte, I think he might just have a drinking problem. I thought he gave a sincere apology. He didn't just say what everyone wanted to hear which is why he is being hounded so much. We expect athletes to be saints and role models but they are just people who like to compete. And he was treated unfairly even though he is kind of an a**hole when he's drunk.

Interest in hosting the games is very low. I wonder if the Olympics themselves are on the way out.

But maybe in the interim they can form a catch-all 'Under no Flag' team for people who don't want to represent their country for whatever reason. They can carry just a bare flagpole in the ceremonial parts. At least they don't have to wear those stupid looking uniforms.

Or maybe they can scrap the national format and have teams fielded by other entities. Like the poets team, and the Drug Cartels, the team made up entirely of people named Mike, the Sagitarians, etc, etc.

If it was proper protocol, to stand at attention, the pundits have been making flippant comments, with no serious investment of their own time or money.

Casual sociopaths were ruining the event, for those fans who thought it was special, and who made sacrifices.