Too many Olympic events???

[RP]

I say yes and return back to the more basic events like pankration....

The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 BC, when they were extended to three days. In the 5th century B.C., the Games were extended again to cover five days. The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events.

Pankration was a sporting event introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and was an empty-hand submission sport with few rules. The athletes used boxing and wrestling techniques, but also others, such as kicking, holds, joint-locks, and chokes on the ground, making it similar to modern mixed martial arts.

[kego]

Nobody said you have to watch 'em all!

:-/

[Dirk Hofman]

It’s a bit much, yeah. Badminton and table tennis are really fun, enjoyable games. They aren’t sports IMO.

[Jim Owen]

Absolutely. I’m surprised rock/hammer/scissors ain’t on the slate.

I may be done with the Olympics.

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

It’s a bit much, yeah. Badminton and table tennis are really fun, enjoyable games. They aren’t sports IMO.

You've obviously never played pro-level badminton or table tennis.

[Silly Moustache]

I confess that BMX races seems a bit odd. Pretty sure that wasn't in the original games.

Really sorry for the American Gymnast who had to retire. Its a whole lot to heap on a young girl, with the world watching, and stage fright whilst doing that stuff - whoa!

[frankmcr]

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

You've obviously never played pro-level badminton or table tennis.

Indeed! I'm not saying it's not hard, the skill level is incredible. At the world class level anything is really hard. That doesn't seem like the right bar for what makes something an Olympic sport, however. But no way to agree on what does.

For me it's some combo of strength, endurance, and skill, and hopefully good measures of at least 2 of those. Badminton and table tennis are high on skill, near zero on strength and endurance. Lose 'em. Skateboarding the same. Surfing? High on all 3, but the venues are so limited. It's a great sport in its own arenas, it doesn't need to be an Olympic event. Equestrian? Ridiculous, such limited access for 99.99% of the planet. Lose it. Trampoline? Fun, cool, but come on, we have enough gymnastics. BMX? Loved it as a kid. We have Road Racing, XC Mountain Biking, Track, Time Trails...lose it. Add in downhill MTB, it's amazing. Rhythmic gymnastics, 3x3 basketball...nah. Flatwater canoe and kayaking? Snore.

There's so much great stuff already. The bar for new sports getting in and old sports staying in should be high, IMO. It's getting too dispersed.

Downhill MTB is awesome:

[jpd]

It's become a media event...not what it started out as many eons ago...

[RP]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

Indeed! I'm not saying it's not hard, the skill level is incredible. At the world class level anything is really hard. That doesn't seem like the right bar for what makes something an Olympic sport, however. But no way to agree on what does.

For me it's some combo of strength, endurance, and skill, and hopefully good measures of at least 2 of those. Badminton and table tennis are high on skill, near zero on strength and endurance. Lose 'em. Skateboarding the same. Surfing? High on all 3, but the venues are so limited. It's a great sport in its own arenas, it doesn't need to be an Olympic event. Equestrian? Ridiculous, such limited access for 99.99% of the planet. Lose it. Trampoline? Fun, cool, but come on, we have enough gymnastics. BMX? Loved it as a kid. We have Road Racing, XC Mountain Biking, Track, Time Trails...lose it. Add in downhill MTB, it's amazing. Rhythmic gymnastics, 3x3 basketball...nah. Flatwater canoe and kayaking? Snore.

There's so much great stuff already. The bar for new sports getting in and old sports staying in should be high, IMO. It's getting too dispersed.

Downhill MTB is awesome:

I mostly agree although equestrian events harken back to the original games...

The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 BC, when they were extended to three days. In the 5th century B.C., the Games were extended again to cover five days. The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events.

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by RP

I mostly agree although equestrian events harken back to the original games...

The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 BC, when they were extended to three days. In the 5th century B.C., the Games were extended again to cover five days. The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events.

Understood, but for the reasons I stated above, I don't care for it as an Olympic event. Basically to compete you need skill and a ridiculous amount of money. It requires very little strength or endurance. For me it's just too elitist. Globally, how many can relate to it? Tradition is important, but it's not everything.

Again, don't get me wrong. Clearly it takes a ton of skill and dedication, and I personally love riding horses. But to me it seems prissy and silly, and totally out of touch.

[Brucebubs]

I believe they are considering 'Speed Texting' as an event to attract more young people.


I made that up.

[Bob Womack]

Once again, I am unimpressed with the likes of inverted pedal car racing and pogo stick dancing. It dilutes the brand.

Bob

[TBman]

I still scratch my head over "Artistic Swimming" formerly known as "Synchronized Swimming."

But like some would say, "You think its easy, you try it."

[jazzereh]

Skateboarding? WTH. and many other 'sports' that are of no interest