GYMNASTICS HAPPENINGS

It was strange being at the women’s gymnastics team final this morning. There might have been eight nations competing, but no one within five miles of the indoor stadium wasn’t watching the China and the United States, included in the same rotational group.

I took my eyes off the duel long enough to see a Russian girl fall in her beam routine and the dark, gloomy stare from her coach that followed. We’re talking a cross between Mrs. Doubtfire and Don Rickles. The young lady finished her routine, walked slowly off the stage and burst into tears.

Mrs. Doubtfire walked within screaming distance and promptly relayed a not-so-nice evaluation.

My only hope: The scorned gymnast isn’t “mistakenly” put on a plane to Georgia following the Games.

One thing that continues to surprise me although it shouldn’t is how journalists from other countries react during competition. I was sitting next to a writer from China and by the amount of cheering he did, I can only infer he is related to the entire gold-medal team and its coaching staff.

At beach volleyball one day this week, European writers waved their nation’s flag and danced as their team spiked itself to victory.

I think it might be time to stand up and cheer and offer my peers high-fives when UNLV wins its third football game. This way, I can make a bold statement here and yet still have a great chance of remaining unbiased and professional the entire season.