Yeah and how many of those guys are actually from the countries they represent? If those countries had legitimate laws pertaining to citizenship, only 1 of those 6 you mentioned would be competing at the Olympics this year under the Russian flag and you would esentially the same tournament as before the Soviet break up.
I'd love to see an "open" world championship where more than one guy from each country can compete. It would stop some of the silly country-hopping, and you'd have legitimate 2nd and 3rd places instead of guys like Murtza and Gatsalov sitting at home.
yea with guys like murtazaliev and gatcalov siting at home, it sure makes you wonder how valid are those silver and bronze medals. I guess it comes down to you either win the whole thing, or u lose thats it.
I have often wondered about the open Olympics idea. I guess I do not see the drawback.
I am sure there are some but I can not think of one right now.
You could do qualifying like the World Cup. Not every country gets to have a wrestler at 74Kg if they do not finish a certain place in a string of tournaments.
doesn't track & field have more than one representative per country based on qualifying times? maybe a few international qualifying tournament not just for a weight but for individuals.
Same thing also hapens in the US.
Reigning World Champ Stephen Neal could not beat McCoy and did not make the 2000 Olympic Team. Backup Brandon Eggum went to the worlds as a sub for Cael and won a silver.
Obviously not as much as Russia, but the US has multiple guys that could medal on a good day at most weights.
doesn't track & field have more than one representative per country based on qualifying times? maybe a few international qualifying tournament not just for a weight but for individuals.
Track & Field can send up to three qualifiers per event based on qualifying times, which is why the US often sweeps many of the sprinting events.