Gary Russell, Jr's hopes for an Olympic medal are over before they even start.
The Capitol Heights, MD resident collasped late Thursday night after trying to make weight. At the weigh-in, Russell was disqualified for being one pound over the 119-pound bantamweight limit. Later, Russell was found unconscious and severely dehydrated by one of his teammates, Luis Yanez. According to NBC, medical personnel were able to rehydrate him after he made a final attempt to make weight.
"We became alarmed a couple of days ago when we saw he wasn't sweating like he should," US Head Coach Dan Campbell told NBC after Friday's draw. "When these kids try to make weight, sometimes they cut corners. What we believe is he did not increase his fluid intake after we told him to."
According to Teddy Atlas, who is calling the boxing tournament for NBC, Russell was five to six pounds overweight earlier in the week but assured Atlas that he would be fine come weigh-in.
"It's the fighters - and the coaches' responsibility - to make sure they are on weight," Atlas said. "Plus USA Boxing started a residential program to better prepare its boxers and you would have expected that this type of situation would never have happened. Its embarrassing."
Russell weighed 121 pounds Thursday and was trying to get to the required 119 before the weigh-in at 6 a.m. Friday. He went running to get the last two pounds off and collapsed after returning to the Olympic Village. His father Gary Russell Sr., said that his son passed out after resting from the run. He was treated with fluids by doctors at his dormitory but was not hospitalized.
Russell Jr. is the first USA boxer to be disqualified from the games since David Jackson in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
"I'm extremely disappointed," Russell said in a statement released by USA Boxing Friday afternoon. "Competing in the Olympic Games has always been one of my dreams, and I wish I would have been able to represent my country alongside my teammates."
The USA Team now has only eight boxers -- its smallest contingent since 1948.
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41 comments:
Gary,
Why don't you ever mention that one of our own is the coach of the olympic boxing team. Dan Campbell ran Norfolk boxing club for many year before his current position. Most of the young pros that came up through the amateur ranks know him well. He could also be counted on to pack his kids into the van and travel to everyone's show. I think we should applaud him for his work and effort to make it to where he is now.
I just saw that about Russell in today's Wash Post. Such a shame :(
I have mentioned Campbell's name plus I have mentioned that Robert Martin -- the punching coach is also from DC.
As you know, Campbell has come under some scrutiny in the past few weeks as well.
Anyone in Dan's position would come under scrutiny, that is boxing. The team has done so poorly in recent Olympics and Dan has been part of a total shift in the way the athletes prepare for the games. Whether he is from the area or not, he should be supported and we all should wish him and his team well and not be part of the sniping.
Gary thought he was on a vacation.
The teams issues with Campbell are well documented over the past few months. There is no way this should happen. If they noticed he was 5lbs. over earlier in the week and was dehydrated, why wasn't he working closely with the teams trainers/nutritionists to get the weight off. Reading the NBC report, Campbell says that basically 'I guess he didn't rehydrate himself like we told him". Again, why weren't they working with him closely this close to the weigh-in? After moving all the athletes in for months to be closely monitored - he has to get the weight off alone? I don't get it.
Also, Campbell may be a good coach but he has only had one national champion and has been quoted in the news as speaking against his own boxers. Almost all of the boxers are unhappy with the entire training process and I guarantee it will be changed before the next games.
Whoever says he thought he was on vacation - your an ass. He's been busting his ass for years to get this point and I think this was avoidable given the resources the team has.
As I reported in the Post back in February, the national amateur program in this country has been in an absolute shambles. Take it from Emmanuel Steward: "The U.S. amateur program in the past 10 or 12 years is totally gone."
There was an attempt to right the ship -- with a woeful lack of funding -- in preparation for these Olympic Games. I'm not going to comment personally on Campbell or Millman, both of whom I've never met, but this never should have happened to Russell. It is the responsibility of Olympic coaches to make sure the athletes are adequately prepared to perform. Teddy Atlas' comments are on the money. I know there has been internal disenchantment (Les Carpenter wrote about it this week) among fighters over the team being centralized in Colorado Springs to prepare under one coach, not their own, but I think the change was a worthy experiment. In most of the sports, athletes leave the coaches that got them there and go under the Olympic coach -- basketball, gymnastics, etc. The belief is that once you've won the Trials, you are already good enough for the world stage, and then it is time to hone the team -- as a team -- for the Olympics. It makes sense, except the boxing team produces this: our hometown star and one of the brightest U.S. hopes found unconscious, apparently from a dangerous attempt to reach a weight he probably already should have made. Unless Russell was freelancing irresponsibly out there, the ultimate blame for this lies with the staff, no matter how hard it has worked with the best of intentions. -- J.S.
I wonder if he has been struggling to make this weight for awhile. I don't want to pass judgement on this until we get the entire story. After participating in 120 amatuer fights myself, I know how making weight can be a problem. Especially, if the body starts going through changes from different training methods etc..There are many things that go on behind closed doors that we don't know.
The bottom line is that he missed the most important thing in his life up to this point.
Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be right now. It could be a blessing in disguise.
Get better, Gary. We're all pulling for you!
You'll get 'em next time!
you stupid son of a !, there won't be another next time.
What he could have brought to the region would have been unbelieveable. Mr campbell has been having trouble with Russell for some time. I hope that Gary is physically healthy but some where along the line somebody failed
miserably with this situation.
I'm sure the fingerpointing has already started and that the situation will destroy somebody's
career.There is absolutely nothing good that can come out of this for anybody involved.
PS.this blog does nothing but makes enemies of all the people in the area that are in boxing.
Dan has nine athletes that he is overseeing. He can't be spoon feeding each athlete. At some point, after all the amateur fights, it has to be the responsibility of the fighter to be prepared himself. The bottom line here is the buck stops not with Dan and not with the kid's father, but with the kid. What an incredible waste of time for all involved, all the folks that raised money or donated so that his family could be there with him. What an embarassment.
Fighting through this disappointment will probably be the toughest opppopnent Gary will ever face. I am sure he has the support from his inner circle that is needed right now. I must say I was looking forward to watching him in the Olympics
If this doesn't make him grow up quick then nothing will, you've got to prepare yourelf like no other opportunity you've ever been presented with when it comes to the Olympics.
Dan Campbell is an xtremely good coach. Russell is old enough and should know better. He has had over 70 amateur bouts and has been through this weight issue before.
Turn pro with a local promoter and start over again. The road will be steep, but Gary you can fight and people will take notice.
wait untill 2012, it will be worth it. Rasheen Warren did it twice and now he is on top of the world.
Good Luck Garry.
everyone talk about Dan but if guys at home run for 5 miles and Dan say run 3 miles the guys could run the 2 miles later if he said hit the bag for 5 round and at home they hit it for 8 round hit it for 8 round Dan don't know if they did more round punching coach Robert Martin work with Gary and his team at home so Gary team is over at the olympics did they help him i know some think am saying don't listen to the team coach but it about the kids
blme dan...blame dan... blame dan... poor gary had no idea he was 7 1/2 pounds over. they only check the weights at 6am 2pm and 10;30 pm every shingle day
DAM SLIM THAT'S MESSED UP,KEEP YOUR HEAD UP GET READY FOR THE PRO'S.
C.U.V
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-0&fp=489cb16d0f0c303e&ei=ytOcSL7iC6GuyQTchbDhCw&url=http%3A//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080801412.html%3Fhpid%3Dtopnews&cid=0&sig2=FTAYJG0nezT9uu8uywkRhQ&usg=AFQjCNFJg3Oy4PCn2fVvTjYsZf53_q0kJg
Seems like he's alright, just disappointed.
How was he not able to generate anymore sweat?
DUMB!
i agree with you
Is aint over yet. Gary u might still end up being champ of the Universe. U stick by ur guns and do it for ur family. we all maked big mistakes in our lifetime. it makes us all stronger. i hope u stick around for 4 more years and show the world what u r really about. u can do it!$ 4 years in he future will be here before u know it. u will be at the young age of 25 and much stronger mentlly & physically. no one will b able to handle such strength. look at Rasheen Warren. Gary-come home-trin hard-show the world! u r a champ and u always will be.
how old is Garry?
21
Dan said he knew Gary wasn't sweating a week ago and they told him to rehydrate. So, let me get this straight . . . .USA coaches sequester the athletes to control every facet of training, don't allow their personal coaches to be involved officially while training at the Olympic Training Facility, complain that athletes aren't letting the Olympic coaches to drive the bus - but when something like this happens - it's the athletes fault.
They knew he couldn't sweat - that means he's lost so much water that his body won't allow itself to cool off during overheating. Give me a break - the Olympic coaches wanted to take over but don't want to take responsibility for the health of it's athletes. If they weigh in regularly - why wasn't he being monitored and assisted more closely.
Bull S.
Gary will NOT sign with a local promoter, he's better than local. Sorry guys.
Gary keep your head up and just put this behind you. Everything happens for a reason. You will be just fine. God Bless.
how comes it olny happen to Garry?
why did he fight at 125 for over 3 years then b in the olimpics at 119? r all the parents of the kids out there? how come he dont stay nd root his team-mates on? will he box again in 2012? will he box at 125 instead of 119? how come u said he wont give a local promoter a chance? do not all boxers start locally? this is very interesting. I would like to know answers. How tall is garry at 119? from what i read i think he is one of the best in the usa"
no one answrs dumb questions
Gary is only 18 years old, he is not 21
gary was born march of 1987.
that makes him 21
my bad!i was thinking of the younger brother allen who is 18 or 19
So, he used to fight regularly at 127 lbs but dropped down to 119 lbs for the Olympic trials and he's still only 21 and GROWING...
Sounds like the same problem one of the British boxers had who had to drop out of this Olympics cause he simply couldn't drop anymore weight.
Maybe they just went through a natural growth spurt at the wrong time.
some people just aint cut out for one on one combat sports.gary will be just slendid. he is very smart and college material. he could wingd up being a great romoter/manager. i wish him as his family well
dan cambell sabotoged his karreer
Gary is about 5'4" and WILL have a great pro career. Why is he at 119lbs.?? Because in amateur boxing, it is pretty much routine for boxers to cut weight (sometimes a lot, sometimes a little) for competition in order to deal with other boxers that have done the same - under the guise of being stronger. Internationally, it is a very common practice for tournaments but for the Olympics it is harder because a boxer must keep that weight from the time of qualification (US Team Trials were in Aug 2007) to the time of competition. In this case that was one year!
If you've been to any US Amateur Boxing tournament, you will see cutting weight as a standard practice. I'm not saying it is good or right, just giving the facts.
wow, the anoymosity on this site is terrible. this guy missed a great chance - and all you guys can do (most of you) is criticize.
so he missed weight. at least he can still fight. do you know how many didn't make the olympics due to injury, or failed drug tests? will they give up, or will they try again? they'll try, try again.
let's offer a bit of support to Gary and his fam.
Gary and fam - all you can do is try, and you did that. You get much props for coming as far as you did.
There will be another op for GR, Jr., propably even bigger than any the Oympics.
How many fail at starsearch, or american idol and go on to bigger, and better opportunities? (yeah, i know we're talkin' boxing - so don't even go there!)
So keep ya head of Russell family.
Keep ya head up!
People should realize Gary could of lost his life trying to represent the country. At least he had the talent to be in this position. Anybody who knows Gary respects his boxing skills and know he is a treat to watch. Nobody knows Gary better than his father. If Gary didn't qualify, Dan wouldn't give a rats ass about him. Work with the coaches that get their boxers to that point and this might never happen again. A coach usually knows his boxers weight restrictions and eating habits. They've been doing it together for years. It's that talent that got him there, so don't mess with perfection. Keep your head up Gary, and remember obstacles are only put in your way to teach you how to climb. Overcome this situation and show the world just how special you are.
lil g gary will be a top contender.
dan campell messed him up.if they let his dad train him-he would have won the gold and he would have not missed the bus to the weigh ins. lil gary is only 22 and can beat any top contener right now with easyiness. we will be following lil gary all the way to the top. you make forestville and suitland very proud. the negatives ones r just jealious of u.
good luck 4 ever...
lil g gary will be a top contender.
dan campell messed him up.if they let his dad train him-he would have won the gold and he would have not missed the bus to the weigh ins. lil gary is only 22 and can beat any top contener right now with easyiness. we will be following lil gary all the way to the top. you make forestville and suitland very proud. the negatives ones r just jealious of u.
good luck 4 ever...
for all u commentators...
this is gary's lil brother Allen
my brother is only 20 years old
and please stop hatin..my brother will be worls champion !!!! SOON
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