US: 10 Gold, 8 Silver, 11 Bronze = 27 Medals
PRC: 17 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze = 29 Medals
Last night, China clinched the gymnastics gold from US in an unprecedented upset. US coach Bela Karolyi and Chinese coach Lu Shanzen went head-to-head in an unimpressive round of PR blows. US media outlets are crediting the American team with graciously accepting the defeat . . . in spite of having received criticism for straddling the fine line dividing patriotism and propaganda.
Bela has been outspoken in his suspicion that China is bending the rules by competing underage Chinese girls for its gymnastics team, calling them “little, little” girls. His wife Martha has also been brazen with her opinions to press, saying “I have no proof. I know one baby is missing her tooth, but I have no proof. But I don't think for sure all the countries are going by the rules.”
Refusing to lose face, Chinese Lu responded with a counter-claim on the size of its American and European competitors: “If you think our girls are little because of looks, then maybe you should think the Europeans and Americans are strong because of doping.”
