Underwhelmed by Athens Olympics?

Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:07 AM
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Underwhelmed by Athens Olympics?

Is it just me or are others not as riveted to the current Olympic games?

I know in the past I have found several events that drew my attention.

I have several friends and co-workers that seem obsessed this year. Not to take anything away from the athletes, maybe it's NBC's coverage. It seems every morning starts with Katie Couric dangling her stumpy legs, giggling through one of her silly interviews.

Or maybe it's some of the events themselves. Is Beach Volleyball really an Olympic sport? What's next? Bikini Miniature Golf? Wet T-Shirt Frisbee?

Does anyone else find these Olympics not as interesting?

JoeG
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:10 AM
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I am just confused by the line up. On 4 different channels. I start watching something and then miss the finals. Tivo is doing the best it can, but I just can't get it together. I also agree. Badmiton? or however you spell that birdy game. I am waiting for juggling and stilt walking while throwing a discus.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:14 AM
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Its table tennis that gets me...come on Olympic Ping Pong??????
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:20 AM
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The issue of "is it really a 'sport'? " comes up every four years. I notice, for some, it dies to a whisper if someone from the US wins the gold medal in the particular category.

I suspect a lot of people were riveted to it just as a lot of people are riveted to the Poker channel and to the WWF. All a matter of interests and don't let your non-interest become a matter of guilt.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:21 AM
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Maybe I'm wierd, but I do feel table tennis and badminton are great sports. I enjoy watching them.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:21 AM
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My 2 cents: Bob Costas does the best he can. As usual, NBC does crummy sports camera work, switching just as the action reaches its peak. Costas, a man who knows what he is talking about and talks well at the same time, just does what he can. He loves baseball and is a real expert on what does on off the field as well as on.

What irritates me most is the inane chatter by rusted ex-jocks in a voice-over mode. That guy Rowdy Gaines ought to be shown the door. But, then, this is an old complaint of mine. During ice skating shows, the supercilious nitpicking of ye olde Dick Button drives me up the wall. And that guy Collins who always comments on tennis should be put out to pasture. They are old, tired, and cranky rather than enthusiastic and knowledgeable about sports today. But then, out here in Arizona, we have to put up with Joe Garagiola Sr., on baseball -- who cares what the St. Louis Cardinals did in 1947???
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:22 AM
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Table Tennis (thanks to the Chinese love of the sport) is now the world's largest participant sport (fact courtesy of the BBC) - so its place in the olympics is un reasonable.

But what about Olympic Stick throwing (Javelin)? What's the point?

And don't get me started on synchronised diving! You don't get golf and cricket but tou get synchronised diving!
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:24 AM
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Table Tennis' place is not unreasonable - that's what I meant to say!
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:33 AM
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Aside from the odd event which is questionable as a sport, there have been a lot of great things to watch.

I think the Athens Olympics has been let down by the various prolonged controversial disputes and other mishaps along the way which all helps to portray the event as not that well run. At least some of the stadia look at least half-filled these days! It was very disappointing to see people competing with practically no one there.

I wasn't overly impressed by the opening ceremony but now we have got into some of the better events with good performances, it's getting better.

Considering the event as a whole, I did not expect this Olympics could come close to Sydney or even Barcelona. It's better than the Atlanta Games but that's not really saying much.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:33 AM
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We enjoy watching it on BBC, and French and German channels. The focus is much more on the sports and a minimum of the drippy, schmaltzy "human interest" stories. We were most interested in the swimming, gymnastics, and equestrian events.
It's been interesting viewing, but we could have done with fewer squabbles over who really deserves which medal. Pick the winners right the *first* time and then stick with the decision!
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:35 AM
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I'm not saying its unreasonable to be at the olympics...I'm saying I dont consider it a sport.

What about golf and cricket?? I consider these to be sports more than table tennis and they arent included.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:36 AM
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"Is Beach Volleyball really an Olympic sport?"

When the Brazilian women play, it's my FAVORITE sport.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:37 AM
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And, BTilke, didn't Justine do well!
I have been pleasantly surprised, considering all the bad press the Greek got before the event. We're mostly watching hockey, equestrian and swimming events here.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:39 AM
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Although it has no particular bearing on the Athens olympics per se, I have noticed several events this time that strike me as being much more of a "skill" than an "athletic competition". Table tennis - a skill, to be sure, but how athletic it is I am not sure.

The equestrian events also come to mind. For instance, the "dressage" events...I'm sorry, watching someone prance and walkabout on top of a beautiful horse has nothing to do with the olympics. Even Bob Costas said, in a quick comment that was genuine, "Why doesn't the horse get an olive wreath?.

When you compare the dressage events on one hand, and the marathon on the other, it seems to me that the real distinction is brought to light. A wealthy (no doubt) rider prancing on a horse versus runners covering over 26 miles on foot, in 90 degree weather. Watching the female British marathoner break down after about 21 miles, *physically* unable to continue, (not because of injury, but because of exertion) was sad to see. But at the same time, someone was prancing about on a horse winning a medal. I just don't get it.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:41 AM
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I told my dh just the other night that I didn't understand why in the beach volleyball the women were in bikinis but the men were in shorts and tank tops. Definitely not fair! lol!
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:52 AM
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Re beach volleyball...my wife said," They look like boys in bras."
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 09:58 AM
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"my wife said," They look like boys in bras."

Did she happen to look at the cheerleaders?

And, to those who do not think ping pong is a sport, this is not your beer swizzling, back-yard game. But please, NO MORE Synchronized Diving.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 10:03 AM
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I really enjoy the swimming, diving, and gymnastic events -- they're more fun to watch than some of the others, in my book. But it seems each time there is more and more controversy. And not to take anything away from a great performance, but when a male gymnast actually falls down on the vault, with the commentators all agreeing there was no way he could still win a medal, it seems funny that now everybody is raving how he shouldn't have to share the gold with another guy -- who may or may not have actually done something very minor which should have affected his score, but didn't.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 10:11 AM
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"it seems funny that now everybody is raving how he shouldn't have to share the gold with another guy"

A couple of years ago, the Raiders didn't go to the Super Bowl (thank God) because a referee missed a call. These things happen in sports. To paraphrase Tom Hanks, "There's no crying in gymnastics (unfortunately, there is)."

That was only one part of the performance. Perhaps the judges screwed up earlier on one of Hamm's deals. If South Korea had protested at the correct time, it might be a different story. They did not. It's time to move on or the judicial system will decide the outcome of sporting events. Referees (like athletes) make mistakes.
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Old Aug 24th, 2004, 10:24 AM
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Janus...Two Views. The spectators and the participants. Nothing in life may be more exciting or challenging than being at a starting gate waiting for the gun. Nothing in life may be more boring than watching a repetitive event. A book, an opera even a movie may be a better use of time than watching another Olympic long jump. But know that the jumper is not bored.
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