Olympics Talk: A brief discussion before it goes away

[Snarf Zagyg]

Watching the Olympics is fun. I love it. Although, confession time, I love the Winter Olympics more. Why? Who knows what damage was inflicted upon me for that, but that's the way it is.

Anyway, I was watching the shot put yesterday (gold medal) and I saw how devastated some of the athletes were. And I feel for them, but I also thought, "My goodness! You made it to this round. That means that you are one of the BEST EIGHT PEOPLE IN ALL THE WORLD at this!!! I mean, wow!" I know that it isn't very consoling to athletes who want to win, but sometimes my 'Murikan brain (If you're not first, you're last!) can forget that.

And along with that, I had another thought.

If someone told me they were an Olympian, what event would they compete in that would make me the least impressed?

My answer? Dressage. Having a lot of money (IMO) isn't overly impressive. But maybe someone else has a better answer...

Second, I was wondering what event, that isn't that well-watched, is one that I would recommend? My answer? Weightlifting. It's awesome. And stressful to watch. Although I am not sure anything can beat the mixed team judo finals.


Anyway, I created this thread so people can chat, if they want.

Three things-

1. What is the least impressive event to you, in terms of someone saying, "I am an Olympian."

2. What is the coolest event that doesn't get all the press (not the 100m, or swimming, or gymnastics)?

3. Finally, what other thoughts do you have? I mean, other than learning that all the Olympic swimmers pee in the pool?

 

[Krachek]

The concern about the sprinter who is depressed because he is only the fourth fastest on earth!

 

[Scribe]

Least impressive, I dont know honestly. Probably one of the newer things, 3 on 3 Basketball? Breaking? At a glance most of the Summer sports all have a lot of physically impressive feats going on.

Coolest event? I didnt even realize there was Pistol shooting.

Thoughts? Plenty this year, but mostly that the spirit of sport is amazing. That some of these folks are kids, and the best in the world (Summer McIntosh omg) just blows me away.

At 17, I was...not doing anything like this, I can tell you that.

 

[Vael]

1. What is the least impressive event to you, in terms of someone saying, "I am an Olympian."

2. What is the coolest event that doesn't get all the press (not the 100m, or swimming, or gymnastics)?

3. Finally, what other thoughts do you have? I mean, other than learning that all the Olympic swimmers pee in the pool?

1. Shooting and Sailboats. While I get that it's an impressive skill and I'm amused at the memes over some of the athletes ... at least the archers have to put their own muscle into firing their shots. As for the Sailboats ... again, it's an impressive skill, and at least this year they've cut down the number of types of boats, but this is such a equipment first sport. Dunno, didn't do it for me when Dawson was trying to outman Pacey, don't care for it now.

2. Winter Sport, but I realized I liked Curling when I was sick for a week and was watching curling and it wasn't the Olympics. I have tried it (didn't get far, kept banging my knee into the ice), and it's fun. Chess with big rocks, interesting strategies and winning by millimeters.

3. Every time the Olympics comes around I think I can be detached and view this as some weird chest thumping display of athleticism and note the politics and BS around it and then 10 minutes into the opening ceremonies I'm in it and full of nationalistic fervor.

 

[billd91]

The concern about the sprinter who is depressed because he is only the fourth fastest on earth!

Honestly, they're some of the people you should feel most for because they only just missed out of a medal. So, yeah, I feel for someone who gives it their all only to have the top 3 spots be just barely out of reach. Far better, psychologically, to finish 6th or 7th than a close 4th.

Aside from the ones who might have DQed because of a minor mistake due to the jitters. I feel for them too.

 

[payn]

Sideways walking horses is the dumbest thing.

 

[MGibster]

Shooting and Sailboats. While I get that it's an impressive skill and I'm amused at the memes over some of the athletes ... at least the archers have to put their own muscle into firing their shots.

The target is 17 cm by 17 cm (6.7 moon units) at a distance of 10 meters (11 freedom units). During the qualification round, shooters have 75 minutes to take 60 shots and the top 8 individuals move on to the next round. During the next round, the remaining shooters take 24 shots but I can't remember how long they have to take them. Like many Olympic events, it's tough to gauge how difficult the sport is because we're watching the best people in the world. I'm an experienced shooter and I wouldn't be able to qualify. The amount of control one has to have over their own body to score well is simply amazing.

1. What is the least impressive event to you, in terms of someone saying, "I am an Olympian."

Artistic gymnastics or maybe rhythmic gymnastics. Flag football in 2028.

What is the coolest event that doesn't get all the press (not the 100m, or swimming, or gymnastics)?

New Zealand footballers dancing the haka

. Finally, what other thoughts do you have? I mean, other than learning that all the Olympic swimmers pee in the pool?

The IOC is so corrupt and the Olympics so overly expensive I cannot enjoy them. I don't watch the games, even the few sports I'm interested, because I hate the orgnaization so much.

 

[Older Beholder]

I'm just waiting for the Olympic breakdancing to start!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm just waiting for the Olympic breakdancing to start!

Ditto that!

As for which Olympic event impresses me least? There really isn’t one. I mean, I have preferences, and there’s stuff I don’t watch, but I don’t care enough about certain events to even judge how impressive they are to me.

Besides, regardless of tge event, there’s training that goes into being that good, usually more than I can truly comprehend.

And of course, there’s the aspect of the wide variety of events that lets a bunch of countries participate in global-level competition when it’s probable they couldn’t otherwise. It’s always cool to me when a country wins their first-ever medal, regardless of the sport.

 

[Older Beholder]

Ditto that!

I figure they’re scored based on a routine, but I’m hoping it’s more like 1v1 breakdance fighting like in Zoolander.