The Olympics are fun for a few reasons, not the least of which is how it fosters a sense of patriotism, which can’t hurt in an election year. But for me, one of the reasons why I love these two weeks is because of the variety of events that are showcased.
Moondoggie is a huge sports fan and it would be a rare day in our household for some sporting event or SportsCenter to not be watched at some point, but we’re talking pretty mainstream American sports– football, basketball, and especially, baseball. I’ve grown to enjoy watching these sports, baseball mostly, not only because I like it but because it’s a way to connect with my husband.
“My” sports that I was involved with growing up were a little less mainstream: gymnastics, co-ed cheer, and a little field hockey and pole vaulting (I did play soccer & softball as a kid, too, though). Gymnastics may be the one of the most popular events of the summer Olympics, but I still don’t consider it a mainstream event; in fact no one (except gymnasts) really cares about except for two weeks out of every four years.
Watching some of these “obscure” sports with my husband is fun for me because it’s a way for him to get to know a part of the younger me, and maybe even garner a little respect for “my” sports that he didn’t know much about before. I’ll have to see if I can scrounge up and scan some photos of myself in my sports heydays to post.
But hey, some of those Olympic sports are too obscure even for me. A fellow Tweet, Everydayfooddeb, put it best I think: “bonus badminton coverage. time for bed??”
What’s your favorite thing/sport about the Olympics?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I just can’t believe Stacey didn’t make it to Bejing this year!!!
Oh, And I’m also very sad I am missing it ALL because of the timing of my trip!
I have been trying to come up with new guidelines for what sports should be included/eliminated from the Olympics. This is still a work in progress…
- Any sport with the word “Synchronized” in the title should be removed. They add nothing of athletic value to the non-synchro version.
Team sports should be eliminated unless all teams can compete simultaneously. This means events sports like rowing, swimming/running relays, sailing are in. Baseball, basketball, soccer, etc are out.
Any judged events must either be modified to remove the judging element, or just eliminated from the games. I am talking to you gymnastics and diving and figure skating! Gidget, I recognize the hard work and athleticism involved in gymnastics, but the endless scoring debates and fiascoes are ridiculous.
OK that is all I have for now. Any other ideas?
@David I agree that the judged events are totally bogus. As I watched the gymnastics and diving events, I quickly realized there was some funny business going on (read: these events are fixed). It is very frustrating to see bad performances rewarded and competitors get shafted when they have a good performance.
I don’t feel the same way about team sports being eliminated, but I have a solution for you. Why not have a basketball-like game with all the teams playing at once? I would call it something like JungleBall. I envision something like Hungry, Hungry Hippos meets 5-year old soccer. It would need some thought but if anyone can do it, it’s you.
@David & Moondoggie, well I wish I could refute what you’ve said in regards to gymnastics… as much as I love it and couldn’t imagine the Olympics without it, something has got to be done about the scoring! Even the new system which is theoretically better, isn’t good enough.
OK, So I agree with team sports being eliminated. The Olympics should be about finding the best in the world…Olympians, not olympiteams, it just sounds woosy! (Sounds like owhimpyteam) As far as gymnastics and other judged sports goes, really that IS the olympicas as far as the fans are concerned. Eliminate those and you lose 60% of your views, with 60% of viewers gone, there would be way less money pumped into the whole thing from Ads and within three cycles, it would be a non event that our children would have never heard of before. So guys, be careful what you wish for….
On another note…. Interesting that Women’s Beach volleyball has be come as popular as gymnastics and figure skating, yet no one watches the men’s BV? Lets put the ping pong players in bikinis and see if they will start showing that on prime time… Sillies…..
@Sarah Ping-pong players in bikinis would be hecka funny! That would definitely rock prime time.