|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Jared Ball added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Chris Shepherd added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
|
Quote from Jared Ball's post:
|
|
"http://www.flowrestling.org/article/41703-frank-molinaro-is-headed-to-rio"
|
Glad to hear it. Blood doping is so completely running rampant over in that part of the world right now it seems you can't get a fair competition with any of those countries now. I'm surprised all of the Russian teams haven't been banned from the games after the systematic doping programs that have been proven to be in place across their sports programs. Why is this continually being allowed? Clearly they're not capable of cleaning it up from within. Yes, it appears busts were made this time. But justice isn't being done to truly level the playing field with any kind of consistency.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
Chris,
With my primary sport being cycling, I can address at least part of that question.
MONEY is at the root of almost everything.
All of the sports governing bodies are afraid of what money can bring and, IMO, a lot of this is likely tied to pay offs and bribes.
In the world of cycling there is one Russian team and one Khasak (sp?) team that, by all rights, should be out of World Cup competition yet they aren't.
Why?
Because the UCI (world governing body for cycling) is afraid of any sort of court case. They might go after little fish but the big ones are released to swim away.
If you saw the 60 Minutes feature on this last Sunday, it is crystal clear. The Russian athletes get on board or bad things happen to them.
The IOC is about as corrupt as any organization in the world. As long as their pockets are lined, they have zero interest in making fair competition.
Sad.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
Jim: Sad commentary. I am sure you're correct.
I'm very happy Frank Molinaro will get to participate in Rio. Good for him....good for USA Wrestling.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Chris Shepherd added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
|
Quote from Jim Behrens's post:
|
|
"Chris,
With my primary sport being cycling, I can address at least part of that question.
MONEY is at the root of almost everything.
All of the sports governing bodies are afraid of what money can bring and, IMO, a lot of this is likely tied to pay offs and bribes.
In the world of cycling there is one Russian team and one Khasak (sp?) team that, by all rights, should be out of World Cup competition yet they aren't.
Why?
Because the UCI (world governing body for cycling) is afraid of any sort of court case. They might go after little fish but the big ones are released to swim away.
If you saw the 60 Minutes feature on this last Sunday, it is crystal clear. The Russian athletes get on board or bad things happen to them.
The IOC is about as corrupt as any organization in the world. As long as their pockets are lined, they have zero interest in making fair competition.
Sad."
|
It's an interesting topic, for sure. I'll check out the 60 minutes episode. If the big fish are going to be allowed to swim away, I wonder why more Americans aren't playing by a similar set of rules. Not that I'm condoning it. I'm just surprised more aren't taking it upon themselves to level the playing field? In America, I think the stain of Lance Armstrong is probably a huge deterrent. American athletes don't want cheating to be their legacy.
The Russians are essentially professionals at the Olympic level. So it's more a "win at all costs" mentality. If they're not cheating they look at it as if the athlete isn't trying hard enough to win by pushing the envelope as much as possible. It's only cheating if they're caught.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Christopher Henderson added to this discussion on May 11, 2016
|
Frank beating the 2014 World Champion in Turkey had to put Molinaro over the top when choosing who to take the Ukrainians place.
If I had any doubts about Molinaro's ability to medal at the Olympics they were erased last week. Good luck in Brazil!
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Matt Mace added to this discussion on May 12, 2016
|
|
Quote from Chris Shepherd's post:
|
|
" If the big fish are going to be allowed to swim away, I wonder why more Americans aren't playing by a similar set of rules. Not that I'm condoning it. I'm just surprised more aren't taking it upon themselves to level the playing field?"
|
I also follow other sports passionately, such as cycling, where doping is rampant. My opinion is that doping is expensive and often requires a "system" to be effective. Wrestlers simply don't make enough money to dope effectively. Effective dopers have to be a step ahead of the USADA (US anti doping agency). On the other hand, if you are in a country that doesn't have a strong anti-doping organization or is corrupt you will see doping.
I like to think USADA hasn't been corrupted, but I agree that WADA (world anti doping) has been.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on May 12, 2016
|
|
Quote from Christopher Henderson's post:
|
|
"Frank beating the 2014 World Champion in Turkey had to put Molinaro over the top when choosing who to take the Ukrainians place.
If I had any doubts about Molinaro's ability to medal at the Olympics they were erased last week. Good luck in Brazil!"
|
I hope you are right but I have my doubts. If we are honest he was lucky to qualify and if he doesn't open up a bit I see him going 0-2 or 1-2 at best.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Chris Shepherd added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
...and the hits keep on coming for Russia. Insiders now claiming at least 15 of 33 medalists from last Olympics were fully doped by state sponsored doping specialists. I would be stunned if they're not shut out of Rio altogether at this point.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
|
Quote from Chris Shepherd's post:
|
|
"...and the hits keep on coming for Russia. Insiders now claiming at least 15 of 33 medalists from last Olympics were fully doped by state sponsored doping specialists. I would be stunned if they're not shut out of Rio altogether at this point."
|
I see it the other way (and I REALLY hope I am wrong) but I just don't see that happening.
OTOH, even though there are other guys that I would have preferred to see, I wish Molinaro the best of luck.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
Bing and Bob's performance was good. Too good. They were definitely using some performance enhancing supplements.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
Hmmmmmmmm... Starting to see why Russia has been so dominant on the international scene. Corrupt piece of sh!t.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Rich Brunetti added to this discussion on May 13, 2016
|
|
Quote from James Kessen's post:
|
|
"
|
Quote from Christopher Henderson's post:
|
|
"Frank beating the 2014 World Champion in Turkey had to put Molinaro over the top when choosing who to take the Ukrainians place.
If I had any doubts about Molinaro's ability to medal at the Olympics they were erased last week. Good luck in Brazil!"
|
I hope you are right but I have my doubts. If we are honest he was lucky to qualify and if he doesn't open up a bit I see him going 0-2 or 1-2 at best."
|
I feel just the opposite in regards to "open up a bit." Molinaro has found a style that works for him and is more the norm than not with successful international wrestlers. He wrestles conservatively, tries to stay in good position and picks his spot to attack.
He's never going to be a dominant wrestler like Sadulaev or Burroughs, but his style could lead him on a run OR he could be bounced out early. His margin is razor thin as is the case with many.
Nobody at 65kg in the US going to do any better this year. Stieber has the potential, but may be well served to take a page out of Molinaro's book in the future and tighten up a bit.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Molinaro is in!
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on May 14, 2016
|
You can't win internationally without offense. Molinaro had a brilliant weekend at WTT's but American refs allow more defense than their international counterparts.
College wrestling has taken steps recently to become more freestyle friendly. Good trend in my opinion and one that should trickle down to high school.
Burroughs, Snyder and Dlagnev are our three best reps for the Olympics because they understand the sport best and have offense. Cox and Dennis might surprise as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
