Kamila Valieva - Olympic Figure Skating

[J.Quondam]

For these reasons and more, the Olympics really lost their shine for me many years ago. The whole mess works much better "in theory" than it does in practice. Which is truly sad, given the idealism that's supposed to underlie the Games.

 

[Ryujin]

For these reasons and more, the Olympics really lost their shine for me many years ago. The whole mess works much better "in theory" than it does in practice. Which is truly sad, given the idealism that's supposed to underlie the Games.

For me the tipping point was when professionals started showing up. Especially in hockey.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Yes, X-games should go too. Curling is played by almost no one despite what you wrote. Only 10 countries fielded teams.

Only 10 teams 'qualified' big difference

 

[Thunderfoot]

For me the tipping point was when professionals started showing up. Especially in hockey.

That has, for the most part, disappeared. The problem was back in the day when you had the CCCP their state program could 'consistently' beat the pros from around the world.

Now the only sport that really has pros still competing is Basketball, because unlike other sports, the professional season is played opposite of the actual season. Baseball and Hockey have since stopped allowing pro players to participate. This may change as the NFL is trying to add flag football to the Summer games and has already recieved permission to add it as an exhibition sport in LA 2028, but that remains to be seen.

 

[Ryujin]

That has, for the most part, disappeared. The problem was back in the day when you had the CCCP their state program could 'consistently' beat the pros from around the world.

Now the only sport that really has pros still competing is Basketball, because unlike other sports, the professional season is played opposite of the actual season. Baseball and Hockey have since stopped allowing pro players to participate. This may change as the NFL is trying to add flag football to the Summer games and has already recieved permission to add it as an exhibition sport in LA 2028, but that remains to be seen.

Up until the 2014 Winter Games, NHL players took part. In 2018 the only reason why they didn't, was a dispute over who paid for what. The reasons why they didn't play this time are fairly widely known (stated reason Covid-19).

 

[Thunderfoot]

Up until the 2014 Winter Games, NHL players took part. In 2018 the only reason why they didn't, was a dispute over who paid for what. The reasons why they didn't play this time are fairly widely known (stated reason Covid-19

Yeah, except the player's association and the owner's collective wanted to garner exclusive merchandising rights but wanted the individual countries to pay for everything (my personal opinion is COVID was a false flag) I would say it's almost guaranteed that it's over as a thing, but who knows?

 

[Ryujin]

Yeah, except the player's association and the owner's collective wanted to garner exclusive merchandising rights but wanted the individual countries to pay for everything (my personal opinion is COVID was a false flag) I would say it's almost guaranteed that it's over as a thing, but who knows?

Why I referred to "stated reason"

 

[éxypnos]

Only 10 teams 'qualified' big difference

So? shows there is little interest globally. Proves my point better.

 

[Aeson]

They let her compete because she's a young attractive girl in the most popular sport at the games. And she's the best at it (drug enhancement or not). It's about viewership and ratings. This controversy brings in viewers.

 

[Greggy C]

Russians compared to Ukranians

But next year they will all be on the Russian team.