# Some Olympic questions... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 29, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797 "2012-07-29T21:33:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/181 "2012-08-15T23:58:00Z")
> [@booklover](#): > > A nitpick here–it’s Aly’s coach who filed the protest, not a judge. In Aly’s case, the issue was that the judges called her front pike a front tuck, which reduces the value of the skill. > > During video review, they concluded that her knees remained straight for longer than they originally thought and gave her credit for the front pike. And, it was the 24 year-old Romanian gymnast woman that got bumped, not a Russian. I cold not quite tell, but I think there were some daggers in those eyes. ---
**Author:** ![jakemccoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jakemccoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakemccoy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/182 "2012-08-16T01:25:23Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > I seriously doubt it, on the basis that I don’t believe the men do stop to pee on long races - when you’re sweating that much and expending so much energy (and hence liquid), you can probably go for hours without even needing to pee, let alone actually being forced to let go. If anyone has a cite against this, I’d be surprised. Plus, it’s the Olympics, not a recreational race. If a competitor has to pee while riding in order to win a medal, then he/she will let go a #1 without a thought. I have heard this happens all the time in the marathon. A few have even known to let go a #2. ---
**Author:** ![JessMagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@JessMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/183 "2012-08-17T04:50:34Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Olympic soccer refs are FIFA refs. > > I too am curious what language a Egyptian ref uses when talking to a German and Polish player. Hi, I don’t think this has been answered yet in this thread. In that scenario, most likely English, unless the Egyptian ref just happens to speak either German or Polish (or the players can speak Arabic). I think FIFA requires referees for international games to be proficient in English only (can’t find a cite, sorry). Most Germans aged between 18 and 35 can speak English, and almost all will have a basic understanding. In Poland, English is probably less widespread but in that age group, and given that these guys are often professionals playing outside Poland, I think most of the Polish team will have enough English to get by. In reality, most instructions from the referee during a game can be effectively transmitted using signals and a few basic words. The rules of football are pretty simple. There’s very little in-depth discussion required, and if there is, there will likely be at least one person out of eleven who speaks enough English to understand and pass the message on to his/her teammates. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/184 "2012-08-17T21:48:55Z")
> [@booklover](#): > > You’ve hit on one of the oddities of gymnastics. In vault only, the gymnast posts the D-score for the vault they intend to do. > > For the other apparati, the judges use a type of [shorthand](http://www.nawgjwa.com/pdf%27s/judgingsymbols.pdf) to document the routine as it is performed and calculate the D score. Interesting. I suppose I could go look to see if they prerated other events, but I won’t bother. And thanks for the shorthand. That explains why Aly’s coach was able to write down her routine so quickly on the form. He got the form, wandered over with a pen, scritch-scratched for a few seconds, and was handing the form in. > [@](#): > > A nitpick here–it’s Aly’s coach who filed the protest, not a judge. Oops, I knew that, but misstated. My brain filled in the wrong word against my wishes. 😉 > [@](#): > > In Aly’s case, the issue was that the judges called her front pike a front tuck, which reduces the value of the skill. Interesting. How did you find that out? > [@snowthx](#): > > And, it was the 24 year-old Romanian gymnast woman that got bumped, not a Russian. I cold not quite tell, but I think there were some daggers in those eyes. You are correct. :smack: Yes, it was the Romanian who got beat out on the bronze. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797.md?page=9)