Olympic Team on Today Show

[PunchDrunk]

The US is currently ranked two, behind only the ever-dominant Cuban team.

I don't think so. The US "only" got two medals at the world championships in Chicago, and as anyone who knows amateur boxing knows, the home team, always gets a few favors. I think the US harvest at the Olympics will be no better, and quite possibly less than at the worlds.
My reasons for this are:

1. You're no longer at home, so no favors from the judges. Those favors will go to the Chinese.

2. The Cubans are back, they weren't at the worlds. This makes everybody's chances smaller, though the Cuban team is likely to be their weakest showing in 20 years.

3. There's been numerous problems in the US Olympic camp. For one, Yanez has been kicked off the team, leaving one less chance for a medal.

PS: Where did you find that rating that says the US team is second in the world?

[Live Dog]

Anyone seen Ricky??

[mspiegelo]

I don't think so. The US "only" got two medals at the world championships in Chicago, and as anyone who knows amateur boxing knows, the home team, always gets a few favors. I think the US harvest at the Olympics will be no better, and quite possibly less than at the worlds.
My reasons for this are:

1. You're no longer at home, so no favors from the judges. Those favors will go to the Chinese.

2. The Cubans are back, they weren't at the worlds. This makes everybody's chances smaller, though the Cuban team is likely to be their weakest showing in 20 years.

3. There's been numerous problems in the US Olympic camp. For one, Yanez has been kicked off the team, leaving one less chance for a medal.

PS: Where did you find that rating that says the US team is second in the world?

They mentioned it several times this morning on the Today Show... I was going by that...

[Glos Exile]

I'm looking forward to the olympics for this. I think the UK team have a good chance of doing very well. Had a decent worlds, have done well at EU event recently, biggest GB team for a long long long time (7 qualifiers) so could be a good event for them. The media over here are certainly pushing them forward a hell of a lot over here. Think you still need to look at the cubans as being the front runners though.

Haven't heard a lot about the US team, anyone got any links and info?

Either way we'll mince you all medals wise in the cycling and rowing!!!!!!

[PunchDrunk]

They mentioned it several times this morning on the Today Show... I was going by that...

Well, it is not an accurate assesment. Trying to hype team to generate interest, most likely.

[PunchDrunk]

I'm looking forward to the olympics for this. I think the UK team have a good chance of doing very well. Had a decent worlds, have done well at EU event recently, biggest GB team for a long long long time (7 qualifiers) so could be a good event for them. The media over here are certainly pushing them forward a hell of a lot over here. Think you still need to look at the cubans as being the front runners though.

Haven't heard a lot about the US team, anyone got any links and info?

Either way we'll mince you all medals wise in the cycling and rowing!!!!!!

Eight qualifiers for England, not seven.

Great team, they beat the US team soundly in a duals meet a while ago. This was in England, so some of that could be chalked up to home refereeing, to be fair. I do agree that the English team isprobably stronger than the American, or at least as strong.

I don't have a lot of faith in the Cuban team though. They've lost all their best fighters, except Ugas at 60kg. I think Gavin will beat him though...

Look for the Chinese to get a lot of hometown credit form the judges, and finally Russia probably has the strongest team of all.

[Glos Exile]

Eight qualifiers for England, not seven.

D'oh yep!

Will there be many local officials adjudicating on hometown fighters fights? I presumed it would be international judges?

Not sure how it works

[PunchDrunk]

D'oh yep!

Will there be many local officials adjudicating on hometown fighters fights? I presumed it would be international judges?

Not sure how it works

International judges, yes. For some reason you wouldn't think that was the case when you see the way they score the fights. The host nation always gets extra credit, sometimes to a completely ridiculous degree. I've seen the Cuban middleweight wipe the floor with a Turk, in Turkey. The Turk did nothing but hold, duck, crawl around on the floor. He didn't throw a punch in the fourth round, and still managed to win that round 5-0 on the punch count.