Why are Olympic umpires calling the player's names instead of their nation's names?

[BreakPoint]

By calling the player's names instead of their nation's names, it makes the Olympics more like any other tournament on tour instead of being special and the players playing for their countries. Don't they call the nation's names in most other Olympic sports where it's just one-on-one or one team vs. one team? Heck, they even call only the nation's names in Davis Cup, so why not also in the Olympics? I mean, aren't the players supposed to playing for their countries and not just playing for themselves?

So instead of the umpire calling - "Game, Tsonga" or "Advantage, Djokovic", shouldn't they be calling - "Game, France" and "Advantage, Serbia"?

 

[BullDogTennis]

By calling the player's names instead of their nation's names, it makes the Olympics more like any other tournament on tour instead of being special and the players playing for their countries. Don't they call the nation's names in most other Olympic sports where it's just one-on-one or one team vs. one team? Heck, they even call only the nation's names in Davis Cup, so why not also in the Olympics? I mean, aren't the players supposed to playing for their countries and not just playing for themselves?

So instead of the umpire calling - "Game, Tsonga" or "Advantage, Djokovic", shouldn't they be calling - "Game, France" and "Advantage, Serbia"?

what about when same nation is in the match...."team america serving to team america"


phelps and lochte in same race for example. "and america pulls away, america is catching up, america takes the lead, america is head to head...

 

[BreakPoint]

what about when same nation is in the match...."team america serving to team america"


phelps and lochte in same race for example. "and america pulls away, america is catching up, america takes the lead, america is head to head...

Phelps and Lochte are not in a one on one race. Besides, there's no umpire calling the score in swimming.

I guess only when both players in a tennis match are from the same nation should calling the players by their names be allowed. But I don't think that happens very often in the Olympics. In fact, I can't recall when that's ever happened.

 

[Breaker]

Davis Cup is all about the team and the team as a whole is awarded the trophy.

Medals are awarded to individuals.

 

[Ash_Smith]

They call the players names because although they are representing their countries, they are still competing as individuals, they qualify as individual athletes. Same in Athletics, they don't announce Usain Bolt as Jamaica 1 and Yohan Blake ask Jamaica 2 when they make the announcements!

 

[rommil]

When the umpire says "Spain" it might automatically imply dopers

 

[The Bawss]

When the umpire says "Spain" it might automatically imply dopers

hehehehehehe

 

[BreakPoint]

Davis Cup is all about the team and the team as a whole is awarded the trophy.

Medals are awarded to individuals.

Then why do they keep track of each countries medal count? Why not only name the individuals who have won medals?

 

[Mainad]

By calling the player's names instead of their nation's names, it makes the Olympics more like any other tournament on tour instead of being special and the players playing for their countries. Don't they call the nation's names in most other Olympic sports where it's just one-on-one or one team vs. one team? Heck, they even call only the nation's names in Davis Cup, so why not also in the Olympics? I mean, aren't the players supposed to playing for their countries and not just playing for themselves?

So instead of the umpire calling - "Game, Tsonga" or "Advantage, Djokovic", shouldn't they be calling - "Game, France" and "Advantage, Serbia"?

Difference is that Davis Cup is a team event and medals are awarded to the team. Whilst Olympians are representing their countries they are still competing as individuals and medals are awarded to them as individuals and not as members of a team.

 

[BreakPoint]

They call the players names because although they are representing their countries, they are still competing as individuals, they qualify as individual athletes. Same in Athletics, they don't announce Usain Bolt as Jamaica 1 and Yohan Blake ask Jamaica 2 when they make the announcements!

There's no umpire calling the score in athletics.

Besides, in Olympic tennis, the two players on the opposite sides of the net are almost always from two different countries.

I still think it would give the players a greater sense of national pride and responsibility if they called the score by their nation's names - just like it does in Davis Cup.

 

[ollinger]

Stupid obfuscation. The "they" that keeps track of nations' medal counts is the press, the "they" that calls out players' names are the olympic officials. See the difference?

 

[ollinger]

Even you (begrudgingly??) acknowledge that players are "almost" always from different countries --- but they needn't be --- so calling out country names just wouldn't do.

 

[BreakPoint]

Difference is that Davis Cup is a team event and medals are awarded to the team. Whilst Olympians are representing their countries they are still competing as individuals and medals are awarded to them as individuals and not as members of a team.

I don't think that matters. The players are still there representing their countries - that's the whole purpose of the Olympics. That's why on the awards podium, they play the national anthem of the gold medal winner and not his or her favorite pop song.

Even in Davis Cup, EACH player on the team gets a trophy. And in DC singles, they are also out on the court by themselves competing one-on-one.

 

[BreakPoint]

Even you (begrudgingly??) acknowledge that players are "almost" always from different countries --- but they needn't be --- so calling out country names just wouldn't do.

Why not? How many times has two players from the same country played each other?

And if it happens, then they can add the player's name to their nation's name. Just like when Venus plays Serena - they use both their first and last names.

 

[BreakPoint]

Stupid obfuscation. The "they" that keeps track of nations' medal counts is the press, the "they" that calls out players' names are the olympic officials. See the difference?

No, I don't. Are you saying the players are all there for themselves only and are NOT representing their countries at all? Then why is Federer wearing his nation's colors and why was he so proud of having won a gold medal for Switzerland in 2008?

The Olympics are supposed to be about nation vs. nation. That's why during the opening ceremony, the athletes are grouped by their countries and walk together instead of coming out by themselves.

 

[Rippy]

I find it strange that on the onscreen score, it uses countries. It seems odd when the player's name is used everywhere else.

 

[fps]

I think ollinger has made two of the best points. It's all fairly obvious to anyone older than 7 anyway.

 

[Mainad]

I find it strange that on the onscreen score, it uses countries. It seems odd when the player's name is used everywhere else.

The players' names are certainly up on the scoreboard as well.

 

[BreakPoint]

I think ollinger has made two of the best points. It's all fairly obvious to anyone older than 7 anyway.

Really? So the Olympics is just another tournament on the ATP Tour and playing for your country has zero relevance? Hmmm....then I wonder what gave Massu the extra motivation to win Chile's first gold medals EVER in ANY sport in both singles and doubles in 2004 when he didn't manage to win anything else of significance in his entire career?

 

[Rippy]

The players' names are certainly up on the scoreboard as well.

I mean the virtual scoreboard only shown on the TV/computer (I don't know if it has a proper name, it's just a graphic at the top left of the screen). I don't mean the physical scoreboard on the court.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

OP's bored and looking to strum up an argument when there's none there. Another fail thread by BP, Talk Tennis Guru.

 

[BreakPoint]

OP's bored and looking to strum up an argument when there's none there. Another fail thread by BP, Talk Tennis Guru.

Hmmm...I've heard numerous players mention that when the umpire calls their nation's name during Davis Cup matches that it gives them goose bumps and makes them feel so much prouder and gives them extra motivation and incentive to want to try even harder to win for their countries. That's why you often have amazing all-out Davis Cup matches with sometimes surprising results. Why are the players in the Olympics being robbed of this special feeling and the extra pride and motivation of representing their countries?

 

[jmverdugo]

Yes, I have also have had troubles to sleep because of this, it must be addressed immediately ...

 

[BullDogTennis]

Phelps and Lochte are not in a one on one race. Besides, there's no umpire calling the score in swimming.

I guess only when both players in a tennis match are from the same nation should calling the players by their names be allowed. But I don't think that happens very often in the Olympics. In fact, I can't recall when that's ever happened.

no, but they are 2 racers in the same race. and assuming they are in the lead (1st and 2nd place) they might as well be one on one.

 

[BreakPoint]

no, but they are 2 racers in the same race. and assuming they are in the lead (1st and 2nd place) they might as well be one on one.

Huh? Are there umpires calling out the score after each point next to the pool in swimming?

 

[opiate]

i guess it's just to cover all eventualities.
there might be times when competitors of the same country face each other across the net.

i'm not sure about (lawn) tennis, but (table) tennis comes to mind.
i think there are more than one olympic instance when PRC has won gold, silver, and bronze; and South Korea doing the same.
in badminton as well either China or Indonesia has repeatedly have both players facing each other either in gold & silver contentions, or making clean sweeps across the board.

also it is probably to anticipate those "without nationality". If Guor Marial can run under the Olympic Flag, maybe by some convoluted logic, there might be, one day, a tennis player who will play "without nationality" (very very little probability of happening, but theoretically it can happen).

and while the individual must be applauded for their achievements (gold for Mr. So And So, world record by Ms This Andthat), lest people forget that this is ultimately a "for the Country": there's the flag raising ceremony at the end (which is absent in "normal" tournaments). which can be one of the most touching part of the whole ceremony.

P.S. I'm sure though, some umpires secretly would prefer to call nation-names rather than personal names (sometimes can be tonguetwistery at best, others only draw a lot of neg-comments about how umpires or game callers butcher exotic player names)

 

[Thud and blunder]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_medal_table

The Olympic Charter, Chapter 1, section 6 states that:
“The Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries …”

End of story.

 

[Sentinel]

How the heck are viewers supposed to know who is playing if they only use country names. Yesterday there was a tennis match with GBR and SUI showing. No names. I was wondering who those two ugly dudes were, one with freckles and one with a dour face.

 

[sureshs]

No one wins against BP, so give up

 

[federer_FREAK]

No one wins against BP, so give up

This guy is getting way too worked up over such a minor thing.

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

No one wins against BP, so give up

Hey,ONLy Nadal saves BP.Fed tanks BP,or,Am I missing something?

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

No one wins against BP, so give up

Hey dood,can you speak hindi?

 

[sureshs]

Hey dood,can you speak hindi?

speak, read, write, including gaalis. can read ramcharitmanas and premchand in the original.

 

[Badger]

Completely agree with BreakPoint. The olympics needs more relevance in Tennis (can't believe that more points are awarded for masters event than a Gold Medal), and the only way of doing that is emphasising the representation of your country, which should be enough for most. They also need to pile on the ranking points.

 

[InvisibleSoul]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_medal_table

The Olympic Charter, Chapter 1, section 6 states that:
“The Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries …”

End of story.

/thread

From that, basically it means that the participants are representing their country, but are playing for themselves, and thus, it is appropriate to call them by their names and not by the country they represent.

 

[sureshs]

Completely agree with BreakPoint. The olympics needs more relevance in Tennis (can't believe that more points are awarded for masters event than a Gold Medal), and the only way of doing that is emphasising the representation of your country, which should be enough for most. They also need to pile on the ranking points.

I don't think changing the calling of the names will fix that issue

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

speak, read, write, including gaalis. can read ramcharitmanas and premchand in the original.

OMG!! LMAO...I thought you are a tamil so you won't be knowing much of hindi!!

 

[stormholloway]

Then why do they keep track of each countries medal count? Why not only name the individuals who have won medals?

Because it's an interesting statistic.

Seriously enough with the stupid, coy questions. Davis Cup can't be compared to the Olympics. Davis Cup does not award individuals whatsoever. The Olympics do.

 

[BreakPoint]

How the heck are viewers supposed to know who is playing if they only use country names. Yesterday there was a tennis match with GBR and SUI showing. No names. I was wondering who those two ugly dudes were, one with freckles and one with a dour face.

How do you tell who's playing in a soccer or a basketball or a volleyball game?

Just put names on the back of their shirts. Some tennis players already do this. Heck, they even do this sometimes in Davis Cup.

 

[BreakPoint]

Because it's an interesting statistic.

Seriously enough with the stupid, coy questions. Davis Cup can't be compared to the Olympics. Davis Cup does not award individuals whatsoever. The Olympics do.

That's the only thing you're right about. The Olympics is significantly bigger and more significant that the Davis Cup and involves many more sports than just tennis.

But in both, the athletes are representing their countries and playing for their countries.

 

[darrinbaker00]

Really? So the Olympics is just another tournament on the ATP Tour and playing for your country has zero relevance? Hmmm....then I wonder what gave Massu the extra motivation to win Chile's first gold medals EVER in ANY sport in both singles and doubles in 2004 when he didn't manage to win anything else of significance in his entire career?

Bonus clauses in his endorsement contracts, I would imagine.

 

[sureshs]

That's the only thing you're right about. The Olympics is significantly bigger and more significant that the Davis Cup and involves many more sports than just tennis.

But in both, the athletes are representing their countries and playing for their countries.

No, he was also right about DC not recognizing individuals while Olympics gives out medals. You just chose to ignore it.

 

[InvisibleSoul]

That's the only thing you're right about. The Olympics is significantly bigger and more significant that the Davis Cup and involves many more sports than just tennis.

But in both, the athletes are representing their countries and playing for their countries.

No, they're not. In the Olympics, they are representing their countries, but playing for themselves.

 

[BreakPoint]

Bonus clauses in his endorsement contracts, I would imagine.

I highly doubt Massu had any specific bonus clause his contract for just the Olympics. He wasn't a top ranked player. And if he did have it, then I'm sure EVERY player has one as well. But I doubt it's even there. They don't put clauses in contracts for something that happens only once every 4 years. Heck, I doubt any of Massu's endorsement contracts were for even 4 years long.

 

[woodrow1029]

Why does everyone keep feeding BP?

 

[BreakPoint]

No, he was also right about DC not recognizing individuals while Olympics gives out medals. You just chose to ignore it.

Davis Cup does indeed give each individual a medal as well as a Davis Cup trophy.

 

[BreakPoint]

No, they're not. In the Olympics, they are representing their countries, but playing for themselves.

Um...and you don't think the players in Davis Cup are also playing for themselves in some respect whatsoever? In what one-on-one sport are you never playing for yourself in some respect?

 

[sureshs]

Yeah but if Switzerland won the DC, both Stan and Fed will get identical trophies and medals, but in Olympics singles, if Fed won, only he gets the gold medal.

That is why Phelps and Lochte will not get the same medals if Lochte finishes first and Phelps third. In Davis Cup, Stan could lose all his matches, but still get the same trophy and medal as Federer.

 

[BreakPoint]

Why does everyone keep feeding BP?

Because they know I'm right. :wink:

BTW, do you have any inside info on this matter?

 

[BreakPoint]

Yeah but if Switzerland won the DC, both Stan and Fed will get identical trophies and medals, but in Olympics singles, if Fed won, only he gets the gold medal.

That is why Phelps and Lochte will not get the same medals if Lochte finishes first and Phelps third. In Davis Cup, Stan could lose all his matches, but still get the same trophy as Federer.

And what difference does that make as far as using nation's names instead of player's names?

Id Federer no longer Swiss nor representing Switzerland if he wins an Olympic medal and Wawrinka doesn't?