I still cannot believe people are defending this! If a US team broke a rule and it got overlooked, there would be UPROAR. I am sorry, in addition to having too many boys, they broke USASF rules as far as spotters, dismounts, AND assisted tumbling. Do NOT tell me all of these things can be excused due to a language barrier. Plenty of other countries compete LEGALLY at Worlds. Just because Bangkok has become a crowd favorite does NOT exempt them from following the same rules ALL the countries have to follow. They broke MANY rules, not just the amount of boys guideline. I cannot understand being lenient on this type of blatant disregard. They should be stripped of their title. They performed with more boys, which gave them an advantage in stunts and pyramids (and tumbling too since the boys were the most elite tumblers), they performed out of level skills that are illegal. The additional boys should be a DQ, and the illegalities would have penalized them so many points that there is NO way they would have won ANY globe. So allowing them to keep their title negates the entire point of having rules and guidelines. A slap on the wrist and a "ok, just don't do it again" is NO ENOUGH. Again...let me stress that this is not about me not LOVING Bangkok. I was there watching. I think they are amazing. What they do is incredible and takes strength, training, talent, etc. BUT...it was illegal! From the extra boys to the illegal skills. It was illegal. And all those other teams that played by the rules, even the NON-English speaking countries, did not get the same treatment. I say action on this should be swift and appropriate. I cannot understand wanting it handled any other way.
