Olympic athletes coming home

What country's athletes are already home? i don't think any of our (US) athletes have left China. i've been following the Olympics pretty rigorously and i have yet to see anything like that on the news. Nor anywhere on the internet. i'd definitely be disappointed should some of our athletes come home early negating the closing ceremony. And should some do, i'm quite certain they'll go back for the closing ceremony.

Either the openning or closing ceremony is of great interest, I guess. Concerning for such a big deal is a must, after all, we have our own athletes in the competition representing our motherland. whatever the competion result is, we should wait for the closing ceremony and welcome their return. All athletes are number one and they are all winners.

I think it's so sad that some of the athletes have gone home already - what about staying to support their colleagues who still have events coming up? Anyway, to leave before the closing ceremony doesn't make any sense to me - that must be one of the most enjoyable parts of the Olympics and I would want to be a part of it.

I wonder why those athletes opted to go home early... my countries representatives are still there eventhough some do not have anymore events to participate in... i saw in the news that they are enjoying the sights and sounds of Beijing... if i were the athlete... win or lose... i will definitely stay... the closing ceremony for me is more colorful than the opening... and i would love to explore the host countries sights...

If I were an olympic athlete I would definitely want to stay for closing ceremonies. I would soak in as much of the experience as I possibly could. I wonder if it comes down to expenses for some of the athletes. They are elite athletes but not all are of an elite status and unless they have good sponsorship it might not be affordable for them to stay around.

Well our Filipino athletes are going home with no medals with them... But they made a new records for our country. just simply their are more good players than them...

For me, it would depend on when I finished my competitions. Some of the ones who were finished in the first couple of days might not have the $$ to continue to want to stick around so they have no choice but to leave. Maybe there are others that have families to go back too, or jobs so they have no choice as well. Not everyone can afford or want to stick around for the closing ceremonies. Sometimes they just want to get home away from all of the spotlight and get to their lives there again. So this is an interesting thought indeed.

Maybe there are reasons behind, maybe some of the players are very tired after the events. Or maybe they are not happy and no happy energy to watch the closing ceremony. But if I am one of the athletes I wish to stay for the closing ceremony because I was there on the opening, it must be a very good closure and adventure if I am will be a part of the closing ceremony. I am still part of history. And even if I don't win anything or I am speaking of the athletes here who did not win anything, i will still be happy because I became part of history.

Of course I want to stay for the closing ceremony and then leave later. I don't want to miss any important parts of the Olympics. I love China

Hey lilaclady! I have been all over the Olympics in disgust. I have started several discussions on this alone. I think I would leave if I was there as well. I dont know if all the negativity isnt outshining our athletes. I think the host country has done a terrible injustice to the Olympics. Just my opinion. dl

Hi lilaclady, I expect the may go back for the closing ceremony as they have finished with their event and no need for them to hang around and stay and beside they do't want get more polluted by the air there. Tamara

If I were an Olympic athelete, I would like to stay for the closing ceremony, no matter where I ranked in the games. I do know that a couple of our male gymnasts were going to have to leave early, but it was because they were hurt. A US swimmer was going to leave when his sports were over, but he is going to be going in the hospital for surgery and chemotherapy. There was also an Israeli swimmer who was leaving early because his father was killed in an accident 3 days after he arrived in Beijing. Incidents like these I can truly understand why they leave early. And I probably would also, if I was in their position. I agree that staying to support your fellow participants is the patriotic thing to do, but your family and your health should come first.

Hello friend, athletes are there to participate in the events. Its bettre to the hosting nation and respective country to take the participants away once their event is over. Nations are not sending them to see the china or Olympics but to perform , is that is done their target is achieved.

I can't wait to see the closing ceremony.The opening ceremony gives me a great surprise.I have never known chinese people are fond of romantic. I love china.

I feel like they shouldnt have gone in the first place after how china treats its citizens in places like Tibet. Leaving before the closing ceromony is fine to me, even good. Say "I want my medal and my chance, but no was will I stay and support this any longer than I have to."