162 replies to this topic

[Fitnhealthy]

For some strange reason I dont enjoy team sports and find then very hard to follow or get excited about, so you can chop all team sports if you like. Other then that I don't mind gymnastics (variety is great), beach volleyball, cycling, but not sure what else yet, as they never show any sports apart from swimming and gymnastics. Oh yeah we dont need anywhere near as many swimming races. I am so confued by all the different distances, strokes etc...It seems like everyone will get a chance of one medal in swimming lol

[Easy Tiger]

Crowpower said

Quote

But I have a massive respect for racewalkers, seriously - those guys are tough!

I wasn't suggesting that the athletes, except most swimmers, in any of the events i want culled aren't brilliant athletes. I just want the number of sports and events reduced, so we get to see the best vs best.

[Littlesim]

grinners, on Aug 13 2008, 11:25 PM, said:

good topic BT, someone really needs to take a very sharp machete to the olympic programme. and if softball is getting the chop in 2012, why stop there?

In response to your categories:

1. Agree - any team sport (but not including relays such as in athletics and swimming). I think the criteria here is something along the lines of "where did it originate?" if the answer is something like in the backyard over tea such as tennis, hockey, bowls, baseball, basketball, badmington, volleyball, water polo, canoe/kayak slalom, rowing and (especially after the performance last night by the olyroos) football. All out. I'm sure I've missed something.

2. Agree - although this is tricky because it is infiltrating and manifesting in other sports like synchronised diving (see below). but it is a disease that needs to be eradicated.

3. Not so sure about this - events like fencing, judo, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and diving have a lot of vigilant stakeholders. Not so easy to chop.

4. That is a given.

Point 1
It's BadMINton - interesting this is a 'backyard over tea sport' - A top level player would leave painful whelts it you were hit with the shuttle. I have seen someone have their retina detached after being hit in the eye by a smash. I actually rate it more dangerous than kickboxing   .

In all seriousness it's an awesome sport that does not have the kudos and a Grand Slam that tennis has to fall back on. The top Tennis players would have to rate any of the 'Opens' above the Olympics. So for me - Badminton in, Tennis out. I had the opportunity to compete with a couple of Australian players who went on to both Commonwealth and Olympic level and it was great to see them compete at this level.

Point 2
Fair enough

As for point 3 - the 'fighting' sports actually have a huge amount to do with the heritage of the ancient games which were really a demonstration of capabilities of the best warriors of the time. To kick out wrestling, boxing, archery, horseriding, fencing etc would ignore this heritage. Have said that does anyone know what on earth the Judo 'players' are trying to do to each other???  

Point 4. That really is a given

[grinners]

Littlesim, on Aug 14 2008, 10:41 PM, said:

Point 1
It's BadMINton - interesting this is a 'backyard over tea sport' - A top level player would leave painful whelts it you were hit with the shuttle. I have seen someone have their retina detached after being hit in the eye by a smash. I actually rate it more dangerous than kickboxing   .

In all seriousness it's an awesome sport that does not have the kudos and a Grand Slam that tennis has to fall back on. The top Tennis players would have to rate any of the 'Opens' above the Olympics. So for me - Badminton in, Tennis out. I had the opportunity to compete with a couple of Australian players who went on to both Commonwealth and Olympic level and it was great to see them compete at this level.

Point 2
Fair enough

As for point 3 - the 'fighting' sports actually have a huge amount to do with the heritage of the ancient games which were really a demonstration of capabilities of the best warriors of the time. To kick out wrestling, boxing, archery, horseriding, fencing etc would ignore this heritage. Have said that does anyone know what on earth the Judo 'players' are trying to do to each other???  

Point 4. That really is a given

Oh I wasn't suggesting that backyard sports can't be dangerous, not at all - think of chainsaw throwing for example, albeit probably played after a few beers not tea. That said, I sure some filthy tea has incited highly violent reactions amongst fine tea drinkers who have then left the party game by inflicting more than mere welts on the offender, most likely in China. I hope you stayed around to help with the detached retina Littlesim and there was a good recovery. btw - sorry for the mispell badminton, but it is actually WELTS.

On point 3, my point exactly, well except for the horsey. Judo players, as suggested by others, SHOULD be trying to kill each other. After all, life is far more precious than a squibby medal.

Handball - I knew I forgot something - so inane. I can't even think of any other sport to combine with it to warrant a wild card entry or make it even mildly amusing. Hang on, except probably chainsaw throwing.

Edited by grinners, 15 August 2008 - 07:30 AM.

[SMC42K]

Littlesim, on Aug 14 2008, 07:41 AM, said:

Point 1
It's BadMINton - interesting this is a 'backyard over tea sport' - A top level player would leave painful whelts it you were hit with the shuttle. I have seen someone have their retina detached after being hit in the eye by a smash. I actually rate it more dangerous than kickboxing   .

I would think BadMINton is definitely a "backyard over tea" sport. Isn't it also known as "shuttlecock" and very popular in the eastern suburbs? The detached retinas, bruises and severely battered bank balances are the result of the other half finding out.

I would eliminate all events which depend on judges, animals or machines.

I would add unicycles in the road cycling, WWF wrestlers instead of Roman/Grecco, snooker, billiards, chess and monopoly.

If the horsey stuff has to stay, then why not have the Melbourne cup added into the program. The V8 supercars would also have the fans screaming.

[clanrunner]

Any sport for which the Olympics is the pinnacle deserves to be there. Doesn't mean that I want to watch it, but it belongs. ie, get soccer out, Olympic soccer is a nonsense reserve grade competition. Take tennis out also, ask any player if they'd rather an Olympic gold medal or a grand slam title and I think we all know what the answer will be.

On the same note, I hope that the increasing prize money and push for a world record time doesn't relegate the Olympic marathon to lesser importance than London, Boston, Chicago etc.

[Phoenix]

Bellthorpe, on Aug 14 2008, 03:57 PM, said:

In many other threads, people mention that xx sport should be dropped. Equestrian and shooting come to mind, as well as synchronised swimming.
    
    I thought a thread to collect those ideas might be useful.
    
    Let me say at the outset that I enjoy equestrian events, including dressage; and shooting (I shoot pistol). But as far as I'm concerned, the following three categories of sport have no place in the Olympics:
    

• Any team sports
  
• Any sports called 'synchronised'
  
• Any sport which depends on judges rather than absolute results.
  
• Any sport in which Leighton Hewitt is a participant.

well said Bellthorpe.

I know that just about every sport has it's own world cup, but I think we should ban any sport in which competing at the Olympics is not the pinnacle of that sport in terms of TV rights, viewership etc: Tennis, Soccer etc.

[Peterhorse]

Many events at the Olympics over the years have help educate me and broaden my mind. So many things i hadn't been aware of before...
- the Greco/Roman rogering introduced me to Barry White, i hope they keep it as it is very relevant to modern times
- i didn't know the male gymnasts had to do that whole routine without moving their ring. Bruce told us that last night
- ping pong is much faster when you play it at that level.  I listened with renewed interest as the complete A1 to C4 results were read out on the Sun morning ABC in Rockhampton ...they would pause periodically and add "so and so has really come into some form there, and should progress up to A3 next week"
- i feel more comfortable wearing lycra thse days and retired the budgie smugglers thanks to the fashion that's found its way into the swim section, even though the current suits make both the boys and girls look....um, flat. but the commentators should give more technical explanations like how you dive in without your goggles rolling down your neck. i'm in awe of that
- walking seemed ridiculous, but then i got overtaken by a walker in the Barossa half mara this year and was doing ~4:30 min k's at the time. i guess that guy thought we were ridiculous running

Changes?
- I agree with the warring events being upgraded and modernised. Nobody punches each other, shoots pistols or shotguns in combat these days. Video and simulating bombing would be very popular for Gen Y that may not get some of the last century biffo.
- Samaranch wanted more stars? dancing with the stars could be adapted by requiring a country genre ... this would allow Madga Zubranski to participate with her chosen genre of Irish dancing. And the Jolie-Pitts could support their adopted African nation by bouncing up and down vertically like pogo sticks, i like to see Ange do that
- and boy, after happening upon the ornamental fish pavilion at the Brisbane Ekka this week, and seeing a bloke carry the prize fish around the grand parade for an hour in a dish...well, if it's entertainment we're after, they have a place

So may options, the Olympics can only keep growing .............perhaps they should just separate it into SPORT and a HOBBIES and OTHER INTERESTS.

My only serious comment is to say i appreciate all the athletes for their dedication to their respective sport. And you're right, it's the ones that have to commit to a once in 4 years opportunity for glory that i really admire.

[Rudolf]

the concept that olympic sport should stay, only if it is pinnacle of the season is intersting for athletics.

as was hinted above, marathon would certainly not make it for quite a number of olympics back, (but would also not make at the athletics world championship).

some other running would also struggle to claim the performance importance, as often Weltclasse Zurich produces much intersting racing and better performances as do some other european meets every year.

actually olympics athletics look sometimes very pathetic with lots of subelites athletes competing in the first rounds of any running events, which of course could not happen at the elite only meets.

and the elite runenrs could focus on running only 1x flat out, and not to waste energy and speculate on running heats, quartes
semis and only that the finals.


Electronic judging is everywhere these days, judges in every sport look up the video and make or change the decision,
ot award the points or penalties from the video or other form of electronic sytem.

further the judge is involved in every event also in T&F, making the decision on the attempt to be valid or not, placing the measuring sensor, judging the correct - allowed technique (in throws for example), runners are judged for staying in their lanes not stepping out or over the line, the rellay are judged for buttons territory, runners are judged for interfering with each other etc.


walks - suddenly most people are so touchy, that walking judges exist.

however walking has its problem, and that is the refusal of the use of any electronic device, video and still photography.

This is clearly a problem, but is fully in hand of the old group of judges who wanna keep their importance and personal power.


the issue of naked human eye recognising the break of contact or not is very interesting.

the judges eiter intentionaly do not wanna see it - the kinda cover up, or they physiological abilities are impaired and the really could not see, if it is brief enough.

Personaly my eye-brain connection is much faster and I see with naked eye the breaking of the rules all the time, eiter live or via TV.
I did some judging in very low key walk - helping out, and awarded red cards... I was the only one from judges...


The judging politics is wrong and walking is the only surviving sport where the electronic judging is not allowed by the rules
and that is no bloody good, but this does not mean that the sport is wrong or not interesting.

Of course on very elite international level this leads to playing the judging politics and also puts individual walker to ridiculous situation :
either the walker walks properly and is few minutes slower or the walker does what some other elite do and learn to keep breaking the rules just and hoping he/she would not be choosen by judging politics to get DQ.
I understand that my views are not very popular with part of walking comunity, but I just love walking so much I wanna have it cleaned and restored.

The most ridiculous race was world cup in Cheboksary this year, I have seen the video from gils under 20 10km race and the first 3 russian girls were running all the time and yet the judging politics allowed that.


This is very similar to the whole sport situation with doping - You either stay clean all Your life and become also run, or You accept the big game and start doping just to keep up  to have a chance. Very interesting personal dilemans on this issues in Marco Pantani biography.


so tu sum it up = electronic judging for walking


and drop every sport where is doping - hehe

Edited by Rudolf, 15 August 2008 - 08:45 AM.

[Huff]

Phoenix, on Aug 15 2008, 07:51 AM, said:

well said Bellthorpe.

I know that just about every sport has it's own world cup, but I think we should ban any sport in which competing at the Olympics is not the pinnacle of that sport in terms of TV rights, viewership etc: Tennis, Soccer etc.

Both Swimming and Athletics have a world championship so they should be out too???

Soccer at the Olympics is an under 23 comp.

Personally other than personal prejudices I haven't read too many valid reasons to remove any sport's.

There should be MORE sport! Chess is a sport, Darts are a sport.  Put them in!

The Chinese were considering having Computer Games as their demo sport for the games.

I think it's all about world participation, for a sport to be included it must be played / competed in by a large percentage of the coutries.  Thats why things like Netball / Rugby / Cricket aren't there.  Only really a handful play and even a smaller percentage to any elite standard.

[B+]

What's with the Aussie bashing of Leighton Hewitt??? By a bunch of nobodies who have a acheived F%^& all in sport compared to this bloke!!

Cull whatever sports you like, but lay off attacking people all the time who have acheived more than most in their sporting life.

Some of you need to take a good hard look at yourselves and give yourself 2 upper cuts to boot!

[JustinS007]

B+, on Aug 15 2008, 08:42 AM, said:

What's with the Aussie bashing of Leighton Hewitt??? By a bunch of nobodies who have a acheived F%^& all in sport compared to this bloke!!

Cull whatever sports you like, but lay off attacking people all the time who have acheived more than most in their sporting life.

Some of you need to take a good hard look at yourselves and give yourself 2 upper cuts to boot!

C'mon

[grinners]

B+, on Aug 15 2008, 08:42 AM, said:

What's with the Aussie bashing of Leighton Hewitt??? By a bunch of nobodies who have a acheived F%^& all in sport compared to this bloke!!

Cull whatever sports you like, but lay off attacking people all the time who have acheived more than most in their sporting life.

Some of you need to take a good hard look at yourselves and give yourself 2 upper cuts to boot!

I think it's Lleyton Hewitt. I'd get the spelling right before backing him. There are some spelling nazis on this thread.

... and if monopoly is in then so too is scrabble, connect 4 and cadoo (my little girl's favourite).

Edited by grinners, 15 August 2008 - 09:41 AM.

[Huff]

grinners, on Aug 15 2008, 09:32 AM, said:

I think it's Lleyton Hewitt. I'd get the spelling right before backing him. There are some spelling nazis on this thread.

How about the ol' Spelling Bee as an Olympic Sport.

Or put it in the X Games - Extreme Spelling!

[michelinman]

True there are professionals in all sports, some just get paid a hell of a lot more than others.

But the pinnacle of athletics has always been Olympic Gold, even if there are more elite events on the international calendar.

The point about the World Championships in swimming and athletics is a mute point - the Olympics is bigger and better.

When you train 4 years for a crack at Gold, and that means something to you and your sport, then that event/sport should be in, regardless of whether we want to watch it or not.

Soccer - World Cup is bigger
Basketball - NBA is bigger
Tennis - 4 majors are bigger
Baseball - Major League is bigger

They can all be dumped.

The reality is any decision to dump a sport is going to be unpopular with a lot of people, competitiors and supporters alike.

And I can't see it's very fair to say there's too much swimming, so let's get rid of some events, but let's add more running. That seems to be a biased comment from a runner.

I love the Olympics and am very happy to watch any event in which the competitiors have trained their heart out and have waited a lifetime to compete.

Cheers,

Michelinman

[superflake]

Rythmic gymnastics and synchronised drowning.

Handball is a big European sport so I can't see that one being dropped.

For anyone who doesn't know. Rugby has formal competitions in 120 countries. Could be at the Olympics.

I'd like to see some new novelty events added.

The shotputters or hammer throwers could snag another medal in the caber toss. Dress code is kilt only.

Pest extermination. We get all the shooters when they are finished with their trap,pistol,long bore, skeet shooting and wipe out some introduced pests in the host country. Could have done wonders for the rabbits in OZ.

Tug of War: Use the weightlifters when they are finished tossing barbells around.

[Gronk]

The Olympics is just a big TV show. I'm with Roy & HG and think that Jelly Wrestling, Dwarf Throwing and Competitive Eating would be ratings winners.

[B+]

grinners, on Aug 14 2008, 06:32 PM, said:

I think it's Lleyton Hewitt. I'd get the spelling right before backing him. There are some spelling nazis on this thread.

... and if monopoly is in then so too is scrabble, connect 4 and cadoo (my little girl's favourite).

Just copied it from Belthorpes orginal post. Thought it didn't look right but no time to check.

Train Safe

[batavia]

grinners, on Aug 15 2008, 10:32 AM, said:

I think it's Lleyton Hewitt. I'd get the spelling right before backing him. There are some spelling nazis on this thread.

... and if monopoly is in then so too is scrabble, connect 4 and cadoo (my little girl's favourite).

Maybe its his brother  

[chilliman]

If Equestrian events were natural for a horse we would see them running around and around in paddocks jumping over things including fences for enjoyment. Having owned a couple in the past I never saw them move sideways either except in fear, dressage is just weird for an Olympic event.

If riders on horses can get a gig at the Olympics then why not V8's. Can just see it now, syncronised burnouts, ramp jumping and rallying etc.


Archery should be taken back to the proper bow and arrow days, contestants given a lump of willow to carve, and a large piece of undie elastic.

The contraptions attached to the current bows appear to remove all skill.


Not sure if it has been mentioned above but speedo brought 3000 laser suits to Bejing to give swimmers an advantage.
What's the advantage apart from previous year records if every one has the same suit ?  Back to nude'ing up I say !

Edited by chilliman, 15 August 2008 - 03:51 PM.

[Twopennys]

Trampolene - how did it get in in the first place?

[Magnus M]

I'm not saying they should be dropped but I dont like sports where there is someone on the side with a number indicating how well I did.  If it cant be measured by a device (stop watch, measuring tape .. etc) then I dont think of it as real sport.

When I train or compete in anything I enjoy being able to monitor my (or the teams) progress.  Subjective sports are just that, subjective who says that dive/twirl/roll was better than that 1.

Ok... I have changed my mind I'm happy for you to drop them (and i probably agree that soccer, basketball, tennis and baseball should go to)

I cant understand why anyone thinks the olympic marathon isnt the biggest and best.

Edited by Magnus M, 15 August 2008 - 04:33 PM.

[cakeboy]

Twopennys, on Aug 15 2008, 04:56 PM, said:

Trampolene - how did it get in in the first place?

Don't know why its there but Ben Wilden ( one of the aussie trampoliners) was the first baby that I ever changed a nappy for......I am best mates with his stepbrother and was in year 12 when he was born...haven't seen him since he was one......yes...I played a very minor role on his road to Beijing....    LOL

Edited by cakeboy, 15 August 2008 - 04:42 PM.

[BOD]

As a starting point, drop the team sports and reduce the current list to just those events that can be measued by a tape or a stopwatch.

Then, as per chilliman, I would then remove the remaining equestrian events.

The other timed event to be scrapped: sailing. This is simply on the basis that most people do not even know it is happening until they notice it in the detailed " Olympic Results" section of the newspaper.

[On matters equestrian, I did like the Guardian's 2004 take on dressage: "The riders wear top hats. Their mounts have their hair in plaits. Together they do the foxtrot. Remember that Eho and the Bunnymen song, 'Bring on the Dancing Horses'? It made no sense and neither does this."]

[blair]

Drop table tennis, badminton, soccer and tennis for starters. Add 100km and 24hr running races.

[Melruns]

Quote

I love the Olympics and am very happy to watch any event in which the competitiors have trained their heart out and have waited a lifetime to compete.

I'm with you michelinman.  I just saw an Italian woman win one of the fencing events.  My knowledge of which extends to - there's an epee section, a sabre section and another one, and it's part of the pentathlon.  I have no idea which one she won but she was estatic about it, and good on her.  I was very happy today to see Warren Potent get Australia's first ever rifle medal, in a sport most people couldn't give a fat rat's arse about.  (Rifle and pistol rely on an absolute score and not judges, BTW!)

Synchronised swimming isn't my bag either, but any event that lets people at the top of their chosen sport compete is a good thing to me!

[Bellthorpe]

  To my eternal regret, I just happened across a bit of softball, Australian vs. Taiwan.
  
  What a strange sight! A bunch of tele-tubbies, running around giving each other high fives/tens.
  
  That's it. Off went the TV.
  

[slowaz]

Boxing = waste of space followed closely by judo. And yes some of the softballers were like teletubbies! I've got a new appreciation for canoe-ing and kayaking however so keep them in.

[HardnFast]

Get rid of beach volleyball. This sport is a joke. It's the cheapest Gold medal one can earn at the games.

[Colsy]

Swimming, get rid of it.

[Ron1]

I haven't watched any yet.  The 1500m swim does interest me a bit.  I am only interested in running.

I did watch some of the beach volley ball but my wife smacked  me in the side of the head.

I think 100k and chess should be included.  Chances are the marathon plains were more than 42.2 anyway.

I often wonder how hardcore athletes like SW and AL feel when they see these other athletes playing comparitively soft team games.

Having said that, I reckon there are probably a fair few fans of these other sports who think running is dead boring and easy peasy.

Edited by littleaussie, 16 August 2008 - 06:29 AM.

[undercover brother]

Quote

I think ... and chess should be included

a few have said that now (maybe at least 1 non jokingly).
chess is not a sport as sport requires some degree of physical skill to participate and thats a bit of a stretch for chess.
moving the bits around the board takes very little physcial skill and it is a very very small part of the game.
if i remember correctly it is regarded as a sport at a federal level but not state for funding - a mate of mine was integral in trying to change its classification as sports simply get more funding than 'games'.
they have a chess 'olympiad' every 2 years - the last being in turin and 1100 competed.
australia came 35/139th teams in men and 47th/87 in women.
bro - former state rep level chess player.

Edited by undercover brother, 16 August 2008 - 07:30 AM.

[mgi11a]

HardnFast, on Aug 15 2008, 11:08 PM, said:

Get rid of beach volleyball. This sport is a joke. It's the cheapest Gold medal one can earn at the games.

Your obviously talking about men's beach volleyball, as for the cost of the medals I didnt realise they were all different prices.

Cheers

mgilla

[Twopennys]

undercover brother, on Aug 16 2008, 07:29 AM, said:

a few have said that now (maybe at least 1 non jokingly).
chess is not a sport as sport requires some degree of physical skill to participate and thats a bit of a stretch for chess.
moving the bits around the board takes very little physcial skill and it is a very very small part of the game.
if i remember correctly it is regarded as a sport at a federal level but not state for funding - a mate of mine was integral in trying to change its classification as sports simply get more funding than 'games'.
they have a chess 'olympiad' every 2 years - the last being in turin and 1100 competed.
australia came 35/139th teams in men and 47th/87 in women.
bro - former state rep level chess player.

Well it would be kind of cool if it was like the game in Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone

[Sparkie]

Whatever you do, don't take out women's weightlifting.  Otherwise we would miss out on comments like "Yang of China has a great snatch..."

[Trick]

Sparkie, on Aug 16 2008, 08:19 AM, said:

Whatever you do, don't take out women's weightlifting. Otherwise we would miss out on comments like "Yang of China has a great snatch..."

lmao

[cerebis]

clanrunner, on Aug 15 2008, 01:24 AM, said:

Any sport for which the Olympics is the pinnacle deserves to be there. Doesn't mean that I want to watch it, but it belongs. ie, get soccer out, Olympic soccer is a nonsense reserve grade competition. Take tennis out also, ask any player if they'd rather an Olympic gold medal or a grand slam title and I think we all know what the answer will be.

The emphasis changed considerably when the IOC decided to drop the notion that the Olympics be strictly amateur. Wind the clock back and things were quite different.

That in the past some countries did not have professional careers drawing away their best talent was an aberration of history. We addressed it by allowing professional athletes to participate, but the world political landscape has changed greatly and professional sport is one of the most globalized industries. The great talents are now drawn away equally from nearly all countries.

I'm still of the mind that the Olympics should be amateur and we should have focused on clearing up the definition of "amateur" rather than just abandoning the ideal.

It's funny, I would say the "money in sport" and "drugs in sport" problems are roughly equivalent. One we decided to throw the doors open on, the other we decided to go to great lengths to combat. I think the mirror of that might even have been the easier.

[DrJH]

Get rid of anything that is largely equipment based.

[Sparkie]

"Amatuer" - a concept developed by the ruling elite to prevent working class people from particpating in sport.  There is absolutely nothing noble about the concept of amatuerism...

[thomo]

DrJH, on Aug 16 2008, 10:23 AM, said:

Get rid of anything that is largely equipment based.

Pole vault
Shotput
Hammer throw
Discus
Hurdles
Steeple
Javelin

That is just in Athletics by your definition.

Don't think Discus would go,  seeing it has the strong ancient Greek Olympics connection.

[PantherPurple67]

Add more running events say a 1/2 Marathon for example.Hey what about events with bite?

[AngelicOne]

For the London games there's a strong push to bring in:

UNO

[chilliman]

balri, on Aug 15 2008, 05:06 PM, said:

Add 100km and 24hr running races.

I would like to see a multiday ultra from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony, most distance covered male/female winners.

To be held continuously on a 1km circuit like a moat around the Olympic stadium.

Public etc can still enter stadium via bridges over moat.

[trailpuddin]

Colsy, on Aug 16 2008, 01:51 AM, said:

Swimming, get rid of it.

Ditto.  But gee what would authorities do with all that left over funding?

[Colsy]

I must admit, I will try to catch the 1500 metre swim tomorrow.

I am just friggin' sick of the hype swimming gets, and then to witness the massive under-representation that running has just makes me angry.

[Rudolf]

thomo, on Aug 16 2008, 10:43 AM, said:

Don't think Discus would go,  seeing it has the strong ancient Greek Olympics connection.

the ancient greek idea was to produce and show off the strong,fast coordinated male bodies

the idea was not to produce female Yeti

[Rudolf]

100k, 24H, 6 or 10 days

for the last 2 decades,


Kouros could already had at least 5 gold medals

[Long Arms]

i reckon they should drop at least half of the events on the swimming program. The majority of races are middle distance events- ie they last from about 1min 40sec to 15 minutes. How many middle distance events can one sport have at the one meet?

[Bradles]

Great Thread....

I think events that should be dropped are those like judo, tae-kwondo and boxing...also soccer is not the pinacle at the olympics.

Too many shooting events and weight lifting categories

I really think they should include more crowd pleasing events like thumb wrestling, totem tennis and the across the pool body board race.

Or they should go back to the Ancient Games...Chariot Race, Gladiators...

[moby]

Race walking.  

It is an absolute joke.

As Rudolf predicted yesterday everyone is lifting.  The ABC radio commentators (including a former walker I believe) pointed out today that from the slow mo vision everyone is definitely lifting and so it then becomes a completely subjective lottery as to who the judges DQ and who they don’t.

Let them try and qualify for the running events as they are running anyway.

Edited by moby, 16 August 2008 - 10:12 PM.