Americans face Olympic double standard

ATHENS, Greece - It is the American dilemma in every Olympic Games, and here we go again, the flashpoint this time a piece of gold from gymnastics.

To be strong, but not overbearing. To win, but not annoy the rest of the planet. And to understand there is a double standard at the beginning, that will only grow more so by the end, by which time the host city usually wants the Yankees to go home, anyway.

Comes with the territory. It is tricky work, and we do not always get it right. Sometimes we talk too much.

Here is where the world of Olympic gymnastics had turned.

FIG - the federation that runs the sport - had asked in a letter that Paul Hamm give back his all-around gold medal, and bail them out of a butchered judging controversy that cost a Korean the victory.

The United States Olympic Committee had responded in a letter by telling the FIG it could stick that idea in its pommel horse.

All this comes as the boos for the United States have been growing in Greece, which happens nearly every Olympiad. By then, the world has seen quite enough American victory laps, heard quite enough American anthems.

``If you want to be liked, don't invade Iraq,'' a taxi driver said.

He probably could have added don't win 90 medals, either.

And so the United States, presumed bully, must play by different rules.

The men's 200-meters was held up seven minutes Thursday night because the Greek crowd refused to get quiet for the start, venting its rage that national hero Konstantinos Kederis was not in the field because of - to them - a trumped-up drug suspicion.

Nobody complained. If that happens in Atlanta, the world news media goes ballistic.

Hamm had to wait to compete on the bars the other night, while angry Russians inflamed a crowd furor over a score.

If that happens in Los Angeles, it's a scandal.

Fani Halkia, who won the women's 400-meter hurdles for Greece, said something interesting after the race.

``Greeks were born to be winners. They are born to be first. It is inscribed in our cells. It is the best gift our ancestors bequeathed upon us.''All Hellas broke loose in applause, which was fine. But imagine Michael Phelps saying the exact same thing, only change the word ``Greek'' to ``Americans.'' What's the reaction then?

The Argentine basketball team ripped off its jerseys and paraded around the court bare-chested Friday night after beating the United States.

It was a celebration deserved. But if Americans do that, the word ``ugly'' would not be far behind.

And it must be wondered if Hamm is even sent that letter if he is from Romania instead of Wisconsin.

USOC executive Jim Scherr's letter of response read in part:

``The USOC views this request as a blatant and inappropriate attempt on the part of (FIG) to once again shift responsibility from its own mistakes and instead pressure Mr. Hamm into resolving what has become an embarrassing situation for your federation. The USOC finds this request to be improper, outrageous, and so far beyond the bounds of what is acceptable, that we refuse to transmit it to Mr. Hamm.''

In other words, no.

The USOC is on solid ground. Hamm is being asked to become the first Olympic champion in history to hand back a medal without breaking any rules.

But it went a flexed-muscle too far - as can sometimes be our custom - by saying a second gold to the Korean is not an option. That's not the USOC's say. And it'd be the best way out.

Best to stick to the game plan in a delicate world. Speak softly, win a few last medals, and get out of town. Leaving the boos behind.