437 replies to this topic

[thanes16]

I beyond love the Olympics. Try to watch every event I can. I actually get a little down when the Olympics end. I was happy when the Summer/Winter Games got offset. It's nice to only wait 2 years to experience that "Olympic feeling."

I do have a problem w/ the coverage provided by NBC. They rarely show the distance events. When NBC does show a distance event, they'll only show parts of it. I ran cross country and track in high school and college, so it's something I want to see. It's amazing to see a number of the world's best complete the 1500 in the 3:30's. People don't realize how important strategy is in distance events. There are a number of ways to race the 1500. It really comes down to what type of runner you are and what competition you have. The 1500 is regarded as the best race by many people/countries across the world. I remember when I had a meet at the University of Arkansas, the 1600 (mile) was the only race to have the entire crowd on their feet. It was awesome to see a guy go sub 4 in person.

[thanes16]

Vanek-Man, on 26 July 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

It's not growing. All i listed was facts. I am not saying to destroy the womens game from the Olympics, it just isn't a good event to have right at this time. If it will or will not get renewed, i don't know, and neither do you. But, theres a lot of chatter about kicking the women out.

There are other solutions to fixing the womens game, i pro women and them having a area to play at and see who's best, and help the sport grow. The sport is too thin, lacks interest, and has zero financial support beyond the US, in which it is PAID by the USSF, which gets money from the mens side.

You gave one legitimate fact and that was the United States winning gold in all but one of the Olympics. But guess what, women's soccer has only been in the last 4 Olympics. Also, it is much more difficult to win the World Cup. Almost everything else you said was opinion.

DR HOLLIDAY already gave you the best response. Here it is again in case you missed it.

DR HOLLIDAY, on 26 July 2012 - 09:11 AM, said:

Dude you have it mixed up with women's hockey, where there are only two teams, Canada and the US.  If you watched the women's world cup from Germany last year you would have seen some very good games, including 70,000 some people to watch some of the games.  By the way Japan won the last WC and the previous two were won by Germany, NOT the United States, sorry to break it to you.

Great post.

[Eleven]

Women's soccer is safe.  There are enough other countries taking it seriously now.

Women's hockey, on the other hand, is in for some serious trouble if things don't change soon.

[d4rksabre]

Eleven, on 26 July 2012 - 12:29 PM, said:

Women's soccer is safe.  There are enough other countries taking it seriously now.

Women's hockey, on the other hand, is in for some serious trouble if things don't change soon.

Yup. I don't know how it can last. I enjoy watching it, but there is a physical factor that is missing from the Women's version that makes it fundamentally less entertaining to the average viewer. Soccer doesn't suffer from this problem because it is the same game for each sex.

[DR HOLLIDAY]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

Yup. I don't know how it can last. I enjoy watching it, but there is a physical factor that is missing from the Women's version that makes it fundamentally less entertaining to the average viewer. Soccer doesn't suffer from this problem because it is the same game for each sex.

I enjoy watching women's hockey as well, but let me put it this way, only if the US and Canada are playing.......The rest of the competition is not even close to these two programs.  Instead of world tournaments......These two should face off in a best of 5 game series every year.

[Campy]

I prefer the Winter Olympics, most of the summer sports bore me.  That said, I will try to catch some Velodrome Cycling, I think that has got be one of the coolest sports on the planet - it is fun to watch and looks like it would be a blast to do..

[gohansrage]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

Yup. I don't know how it can last. I enjoy watching it, but there is a physical factor that is missing from the Women's version that makes it fundamentally less entertaining to the average viewer. Soccer doesn't suffer from this problem because it is the same game for each sex.

That is 100% true and I don't even remotely understand it.  Why can't women hit? Can anyone explain that to me?  Women's field hockey and lacrosse players crack each other constantly

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 01:29 PM, said:

That is 100% true and I don't even remotely understand it.  Why can't women hit? Can anyone explain that to me?  Women's field hockey and lacrosse players crack each other constantly

no they don't. I'm not sure about field hockey, but even stick checking is against the rules in women's lacrosse.

[d4rksabre]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 01:29 PM, said:

That is 100% true and I don't even remotely understand it.  Why can't women hit? Can anyone explain that to me?  Women's field hockey and lacrosse players crack each other constantly

Because there is too much size disparity. There are women out there at 6 foot, 175lbs playing against girls at 5' 100lbs. In order to allow for the most talented players to be showcased, they have to eliminate body checking.

[dEnnis the Menace]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:

Because there is too much size disparity. There are women out there at 6 foot, 175lbs playing against girls at 5' 100lbs. In order to allow for the most talented players to be showcased, they have to eliminate body checking.

I honestly thought that the first time I went to a Women's game that I wouldn't like it because of the lack of hitting, but the Women's games are a ton of fun to watch, and they are not what you'd expect to see at all (I was expecting an NHL All-star type score fest of ridiculousness).  I cannot wait to see RIT's women D1 this year.  I have started following them more and more over the last 2 years.

[gohansrage]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:

Because there is too much size disparity. There are women out there at 6 foot, 175lbs playing against girls at 5' 100lbs. In order to allow for the most talented players to be showcased, they have to eliminate body checking.

I don't get that though.  Tyler Ennis could get checked by Zdeno Chara.

I find women's hockey interesting, I just don't understand why they can't hit.  Seems weird.

[d4rksabre]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 02:28 PM, said:

I don't get that though.  Tyler Ennis could get checked by Zdeno Chara.

I find women's hockey interesting, I just don't understand why they can't hit.  Seems weird.

I don't want to make the argument, but I will. Women are not as durable. Their bodies simply cannot take that kind of beating. The women I know who play hockey are injured all the time as it is. Checking would be a disaster.

[gohansrage]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 03:04 PM, said:

I don't want to make the argument, but I will. Women are not as durable. Their bodies simply cannot take that kind of beating. The women I know who play hockey are injured all the time as it is. Checking would be a disaster.

Apaprently I was overstating the amount of hitting in lacrosse and field hockey anyway, so I will have to take your word on this.

Now that we've hijacked this thread, let's get back on to the Olympics...

Yesterday, WGR was talking about the dumbest Olympic sport.  Anyone have any thoughts?

[RazielSabre]

Vanek-Man, on 26 July 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

LOL please tell me which ones.



It's not growing. All i listed was facts. I am not saying to destroy the womens game from the Olympics, it just isn't a good event to have right at this time. If it will or will not get renewed, i don't know, and neither do you. But, theres a lot of chatter about kicking the women out.

There are other solutions to fixing the womens game, i pro women and them having a area to play at and see who's best, and help the sport grow. The sport is too thin, lacks interest, and has zero financial support beyond the US, in which it is PAID by the USSF, which gets money from the mens side.

[MattPie]

RazielSabre, on 26 July 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

As a girlfriend used to say to me, "Those are just made-up names."

[RazielSabre]

MattPie, on 26 July 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

As a girlfriend used to say to me, "Those are just made-up names."

LMAO.

[d4rksabre]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 03:14 PM, said:

Apaprently I was overstating the amount of hitting in lacrosse and field hockey anyway, so I will have to take your word on this.

Now that we've hijacked this thread, let's get back on to the Olympics...

Yesterday, WGR was talking about the dumbest Olympic sport.  Anyone have any thoughts?

Dumbest Olympic sport?

Here's the list: http://en.wikipedia..../Olympic_sports

I'm going to go with everything Equestrian. I love riding, don't get me wrong. And I'll watch jumping. But why do sports that rely on an athlete riding another living thing count as Olympic?

[RazielSabre]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Dumbest Olympic sport?

Here's the list: http://en.wikipedia..../Olympic_sports

I'm going to go with everything Equestrian. I love riding, don't get me wrong. And I'll watch jumping. But why do sports that rely on an athlete riding another living thing count as Olympic?

This point bugs me. While the UK are good at it so I shouldn't complain it really bugs me.

[d4rksabre]

RazielSabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:05 PM, said:

This point bugs me. While the UK are good at it so I shouldn't complain it really bugs me.

Care to elaborate?

[weave]

I won't watch any sport that is scored via subjective judging.  Yeah, I know, there are guidelines and techniques the judges look for, but any "sport" that requires an opinion to determine score is a sport I won't follow.  So, equestrian events are out, gymnastics in Winter, diving, etc.  Meh.

Oh, and I can't stand to watch soccer.  There.  I said it.

Love the bicycling events, shooting events, sprints, swimming, I make a judging exception for boxing, and most of the field part of track and field events are entertaining to me.

[d4rksabre]

weave, on 26 July 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

I won't watch any sport that is scored via subjective judging.  Yeah, I know, there are guidelines and techniques the judges look for, but any "sport" that requires an opinion to determine score is a sport I won't follow.  So, equestrian events are out, gymnastics in Winter, diving, etc.  Meh.

Oh, and I can't stand to watch soccer.  There.  I said it.

Love the bicycling events, shooting events, sprints, swimming, I make a judging exception for boxing, and most of the field part of track and field events are entertaining to me.

I agree pretty much. I'll watch some soccer though. I've grown to like it.

[RazielSabre]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:06 PM, said:

Care to elaborate?

Not really, you summed it up pretty well. I was agreeing with you.

[d4rksabre]

RazielSabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:28 PM, said:

Not really, you summed it up pretty well. I was agreeing with you.

haha k. I wasn't quite sure.

[drnkirishone]

weave, on 26 July 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

I won't watch any sport that is scored via subjective judging.  Yeah, I know, there are guidelines and techniques the judges look for, but any "sport" that requires an opinion to determine score is a sport I won't follow.  So, equestrian events are out, gymnastics in Winter, diving, etc.  Meh.

wait what? lol

[thanes16]

I coach a few high school soorts. The cheerleading coach and I got into a debate on what constitutes a sport. My argument was person against person, person against height and person against distance. No I think this person did better should be allowed. That is all opinion and if an event depends on that, it's not a sport.

Edited by thanes16, 26 July 2012 - 06:41 PM.

[Vanek-Man]

RazielSabre, on 26 July 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

So basically, you can't name me 1. Cool.

[gohansrage]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Dumbest Olympic sport?

Here's the list: http://en.wikipedia..../Olympic_sports

I'm going to go with everything Equestrian. I love riding, don't get me wrong. And I'll watch jumping. But why do sports that rely on an athlete riding another living thing count as Olympic?

I'd like this event better if the horses got the accolades (like in horse racing.)  Especially since seeing the horses on the podiums would be amazing.

weave, on 26 July 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

I won't watch any sport that is scored via subjective judging.  Yeah, I know, there are guidelines and techniques the judges look for, but any "sport" that requires an opinion to determine score is a sport I won't follow.  So, equestrian events are out, gymnastics in Winter, diving, etc.  Meh.

Oh, and I can't stand to watch soccer.  There.  I said it.

Love the bicycling events, shooting events, sprints, swimming, I make a judging exception for boxing, and most of the field part of track and field events are entertaining to me.

I can't stand the gun events.  (I think archery is OK.)  I respect the amount of practice and sacrifice, but some of those "athletes" don't look like they could make it up flights of stairs.  

While I don't think it's dumb, I can't watch table tennis.  HD has made this a little better but I struggle to follow the ball.

[SwampD]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 07:48 PM, said:

I'd like this event better if the horses got the accolades (like in horse racing.)  Especially since seeing the horses on the podiums would be amazing.



I can't stand the gun events.  (I think archery is OK.)  I respect the amount of practice and sacrifice, but some of those "athletes" don't look like they could make it up flights of stairs.  

While I don't think it's dumb, I can't watch table tennis.  HD has made this a little better but I struggle to follow the ball.

But they wear pants that turn into chairs.  C'mon.  That's just cool.

[TrueBluePhD]

weave, on 26 July 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

I won't watch any sport that is scored via subjective judging.  Yeah, I know, there are guidelines and techniques the judges look for, but any "sport" that requires an opinion to determine score is a sport I won't follow.  So, equestrian events are out, gymnastics in Winter, diving, etc.  Meh.

Oh, and I can't stand to watch soccer.  There.  I said it.

Love the bicycling events, shooting events, sprints, swimming, I make a judging exception for boxing, and most of the field part of track and field events are entertaining to me.

Man, boxing judges are arguably the worst in all of sports.  I'm going to assume you just like the sport (safe assumption given the fight night threads ), hence the exception....but those judges are indescribably bad (*cough* corrupt *cough*).

[weave]

TrueBluePhD, on 26 July 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

Man, boxing judges are arguably the worst in all of sports.  I'm going to assume you just like the sport (safe assumption given the fight night threads ), hence the exception....but those judges are indescribably bad (*cough* corrupt *cough*).

It's the violence.  I admit it.

[gohansrage]

TrueBluePhD, on 26 July 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

Man, boxing judges are arguably the worst in all of sports.  I'm going to assume you just like the sport (safe assumption given the fight night threads ), hence the exception....but those judges are indescribably bad (*cough* corrupt *cough*).

Sir.  Are you telling me that the Bradley/Pacquiao was not on the up and up?  Surely you jest.


The odd part is, I feel Olympic boxing used to be way less corrupt.  What happened?

[ubkev]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

Sir.  Are you telling me that the Bradley/Pacquiao was not on the up and up?  Surely you jest.


The odd part is, I feel Olympic boxing used to be way less corrupt.  What happened?

The 1988 Olympics happened. Roy Jones Jr. got robbed blind after he beat some South Korean like he stole something. Freaking hometown job if there's ever been one.

[TrueBluePhD]

gohansrage, on 26 July 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

Sir.  Are you telling me that the Bradley/Pacquiao was not on the up and up?  Surely you jest.


The odd part is, I feel Olympic boxing used to be way less corrupt.  What happened?

I'm not so sure Roy Jones, Jr. would agree with that statement

ubkev, on 26 July 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

The 1988 Olympics happened. Roy Jones Jr. got robbed blind after he beat some South Korean like he stole something. Freaking hometown job if there's ever been one.

Beat me to it.  

But in all honesty, the Olympics don't feel as bad as at the professional level, but I have absolutely nothing to back that up with.

[ubkev]

I don't know, I think judged events always screw someone. There's always gonna be a French judge to screw someone (sorry Canadian pairs team). Or hometown judges like in south Korea, or even Atlanta (Keri Strug hopped on that landing lol)

[DR HOLLIDAY]

ubkev, on 26 July 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

The 1988 Olympics happened. Roy Jones Jr. got robbed blind after he beat some South Korean like he stole something. Freaking hometown job if there's ever been one.

One of the worst days for the injustice in sports thats for sure........I watched that fight when I was a kid

[bunomatic]

I'll watch when they make womans pole dancing an event. Even more so if its womans doubles. Oh ya !

[drnkirishone]

bunomatic, on 26 July 2012 - 09:08 PM, said:

I'll watch when they make womans pole dancing an event. Even more so if its womans doubles. Oh ya !

giggity

[gohansrage]

TrueBluePhD, on 26 July 2012 - 08:50 PM, said:

I'm not so sure Roy Jones, Jr. would agree with that statement



Beat me to it.  

But in all honesty, the Olympics don't feel as bad as at the professional level, but I have absolutely nothing to back that up with.

This is what I'm talking about.  I too have nothing to back this up with.  Even odder is that I no longer feel that way.  Maybe I just got more cynical?

[thanes16]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Dumbest Olympic sport?

Here's the list: http://en.wikipedia..../Olympic_sports

I'm going to go with everything Equestrian. I love riding, don't get me wrong. And I'll watch jumping. But why do sports that rely on an athlete riding another living thing count as Olympic?

Not in the Olympics, but this is why I don't consider NASCAR a sport. 1/2 the guys racing have beer bellies! It takes plenty of skill, both for the driver and his or her crew, to be successful, but give me a break. When it comes down to it, they're still dependent on a car. This is why I don't consider it a sport.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

d4rksabre, on 26 July 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:

Dumbest Olympic sport?

Here's the list: http://en.wikipedia..../Olympic_sports

I'm going to go with everything Equestrian. I love riding, don't get me wrong. And I'll watch jumping. But why do sports that rely on an athlete riding another living thing count as Olympic?

This could be entertaining...