there's been a lot of talk about this in Chinese baidu bars and such, so far it sounds like a lot bigger issue than just figure skating.
But for those who are wondering how big a deal speed skating/short track is in China, it's kind of the equivalent to badminton in the summer games.
Or, for those who still don't grasp how severe an issue that ruling was in women's team relay, let's put it this way:
Hockey-imagine about mid way through the gold medal game vs Russia, a referee calls a player on the canadian or USA team. But rather than just that 1 player being benched, the entire canadian or USA team is benched. The canadian/USA coaching team have 30 minutes to file a complaint, and they try to, only to find that the entire referee team for the match are engrossed in a giant meeting that lasts over half an hour. And when you appeal, you are told by the sport's international governing body that you ran out of time to file. And to add to the problem, when asked in a press conference, the IOC Rep says, "It's not our decision, it's up to X governing body and we don't deal with the specifics."
Well, I imagine that would go over well.
But for those who are wondering how big a deal speed skating/short track is in China, it's kind of the equivalent to badminton in the summer games.
Or, for those who still don't grasp how severe an issue that ruling was in women's team relay, let's put it this way:
Hockey-imagine about mid way through the gold medal game vs Russia, a referee calls a player on the canadian or USA team. But rather than just that 1 player being benched, the entire canadian or USA team is benched. The canadian/USA coaching team have 30 minutes to file a complaint, and they try to, only to find that the entire referee team for the match are engrossed in a giant meeting that lasts over half an hour. And when you appeal, you are told by the sport's international governing body that you ran out of time to file. And to add to the problem, when asked in a press conference, the IOC Rep says, "It's not our decision, it's up to X governing body and we don't deal with the specifics."
Well, I imagine that would go over well.