For me the tipping point was when professionals started showing up. Especially in hockey.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.
Only 10 teams 'qualified' big differenceYes, X-games should go too. Curling is played by almost no one despite what you wrote. Only 10 countries fielded teams.
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.For me the tipping point was when professionals started showing up. Especially in hockey.
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).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.
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?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
Why I referred to "stated reason"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?
So? shows there is little interest globally. Proves my point better.Only 10 teams 'qualified' big difference
And Sun Yang who was suspended for eight years for the same drug despite his doctor saying it was prescribed for heart palpatations. On appeal the ban was reduced but not liftedSee also: Sha'Carri Richardson.
Not exactly, the last Olympic games had 26 teams, the teams this year were most likely affected by the two year COVID absence. This Winter games are light in participants in most sports.So? shows there is little interest globally. Proves my point better.
Kind of, yeah. I mean there have been some really cool moments, but overall participation (nations) is down and the political pissing match the Xi has been putting on is... off putting.Games overall have been a bit of a wet fart?
Kind of, yeah. I mean there have been some really cool moments, but overall participation (nations) is down and the political pissing match the Xi has been putting on is... off putting.
In the states part of that is NBC trying to relegate everything to thier other channels and their streaming service. No idea about coverage outside of the lower 48 + 6.I haven't been watching but heard about the various negatives. Low viewership apparently iirc.
Sooooo. To update this: The suspension amd the drug testing are going to not matter. Due to to the Russian Invasion of the Ukraine, the International Skating Union has banned all Russian skaters from International competition.
Kind of a weird end to a weird episode.
The first attacks took place on Tuesday morning the games officially ended the Saturday before. Sooo two and half days??? ish.On another board we said the war wouldn't start until after the olmpics finished. Raining on Xis parade.
Idk when they actually finished though paid very little attention to them.
The first attacks took place on Tuesday morning the games officially ended the Saturday before. Sooo two and half days??? ish.
Russia is technically part of the member nations that adhere to the don't start or escalate a conflict during The Olympics. Of course they didn't have to as they were under a ban until next year. I actually thought they would have gone sooner.