Occupy Fencing
July 30, 2012 12:00 PM   Subscribe

During an Olympic women's fencing bout earlier this morning, a timer malfunction granted two extra seconds to the German competitor, allowing her to score a match-winning touch. Her South Korean opponent requested an appeal. Until the appeal is final, she cannot leave the piste. She still sits there now as the event unfolds.
posted by mudpuppie (29 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: "An oddish thing just happened" posts are probably a bit under the bar considering we've got a lot of days of Olympics to go; maybe make a post about this a week from now if it shapes up to be something that'll really work as a post on it's own? -- cortex



 
The judges ruled against the Korean fencer and physically led her off the piste. She must now fight for a bronze medal after losing a chance at the gold. The appeal sent the Korean team scrambling for cash, as a cash deposit is required before an appeal can be processed.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:06 PM on July 30, 2012


Update (3:03 p.m.): Officials have removed Shin from the piste and she is leaving the arena as it appears the appeal has been denied.

Bullshit, in my book. But then, I'm not a fencer.
posted by Tomorrowful at 12:07 PM on July 30, 2012 [4 favorites]


Piste ... Off
posted by chavenet at 12:08 PM on July 30, 2012 [2 favorites]


This post unifies my love for bizarre sporting rules and easy pun set-ups.
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:08 PM on July 30, 2012 [4 favorites]


Man the camera work! Who kind of expected her to burst into song when the camera slowly zoomed in on her?
posted by SharkParty at 12:09 PM on July 30, 2012


You'd think that the timekeepers who were running things for that US-Russia basketball match in 1972 would have retired by now.
posted by "But who are the Chefs?" at 12:10 PM on July 30, 2012 [5 favorites]


Can someone who is more up on the rules of competition in this instance explain this to me?

1) There was a clock malfunction.
2) This allowed a competitor extra time they shouldn't have had.
3) That extra time let them win, which would not have happened if the clock had not malfunctioned.

...how is an appeal denied? Does Olympic-level competition really have no recourse for "oh shit that shouldn't have been allowed?"
posted by tzikeh at 12:11 PM on July 30, 2012 [6 favorites]


Update (3:05 p.m.): Ms. Shin has decapitated two of the officials. The appeal is now being reconsidered
posted by theodolite at 12:12 PM on July 30, 2012 [13 favorites]


That is rough, sitting there alone in the center of the arena. What a dick move on the part of the german fencer, at least hang out while they make the decision instead of a halfhearted handshake and fleeing the scene.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:13 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


Can someone who is more up on the rules of competition in this instance explain this to me?

I'm curious about how this decision was made, too. It seems like the appeal should have easily been granted and the original decision overruled.
posted by asnider at 12:13 PM on July 30, 2012


And now she's back to fight for bronze, versus China. Standing ovation.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:14 PM on July 30, 2012


Update (3:05 p.m.): Ms. Shin has decapitated two of the officials. The appeal is now being reconsidered

Unfortunately she was subsequently disqualified for using the edge of her épée. Had it been a sabre the decapitation would have stood.
posted by nathancaswell at 12:15 PM on July 30, 2012 [3 favorites]


Apparently the delusion of officials' infallibility isn't restricted to baseball umpires.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:15 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


The appeal sent the Korean team scrambling for cash, as a cash deposit is required before an appeal can be processed.

They don't take the "Official credit card of the Olympics" Visa?
posted by D_I at 12:16 PM on July 30, 2012 [2 favorites]


" The PA announcer at the ExCeL arena told the crowd at 2:39 ET, "As part of the rules it is required that the Korean official lay down a sum of money for the appeal to be valid. That procedure is now in progress."

Wait, what? You have to bribe the judges to overturn their decision?
posted by Melismata at 12:16 PM on July 30, 2012 [3 favorites]


I assume the clock is manually operated. Somebody pauses it when the action starts and starts it when the referee says "fence." I don't think they have that automated at any level yet.
The discussion here will be worth following.
posted by COD at 12:16 PM on July 30, 2012 [2 favorites]


Wait, WHAT?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:16 PM on July 30, 2012


mudpuppie: "And now she's back to fight for bronze, versus China."

That's quite a handicap they are giving her. Usually it's just against the one fencer.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:17 PM on July 30, 2012 [11 favorites]


Ref is introduced to boos from the crowd. Announcer: "Ladies and gentleman, please respect the officials." Audience: Laughs.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:17 PM on July 30, 2012 [8 favorites]


It makes sense to me that the NOC has to front some cash for an appeal. Otherwise everyone would always appeal.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:18 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


Apparently it's been quite the day for appeals. Oy vey.
posted by fight or flight at 12:18 PM on July 30, 2012


She has got the entire British crowd behind her now. They are roaring her on each time she scores.
posted by MuffinMan at 12:18 PM on July 30, 2012


That's quite a handicap they are giving her. Usually it's just against the one fencer.

Well she is pretty ticked off.
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 12:18 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


This does seem like an insane set of dispute resolution rules regardless of the merits of the appeal. This is 2012.
posted by zachlipton at 12:19 PM on July 30, 2012


She's up 2-0 in round 1 of 3. (My knowledge of fencing is exhausted at this point.)
posted by mudpuppie at 12:19 PM on July 30, 2012


mudpuppie: "ouncer: "Ladies and gentleman, please respect the officials." Audience: Laughs.
posted by mudpuppie at 1:17 PM on July 30 [+] [!] [q
"

Please tell me this is a real thing that happened.
posted by boo_radley at 12:20 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


That's quite a handicap they are giving her. Usually it's just against the one fencer.

Directed by Zhang Yimou
posted by theodolite at 12:20 PM on July 30, 2012 [3 favorites]


Please tell me this is a real thing that happened.

It's a real thing that happened.
posted by mudpuppie at 12:21 PM on July 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


//She's up 2-0 in round 1 of 3.//

First person to 15 or the leader after three 3 minute periods will win.
posted by COD at 12:21 PM on July 30, 2012


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