Minor Olympic events: the hidden treasures, the ridiculous

You Americans are such retards. Attention spans of gnats. Maybe Ritalin should be put in the water supply. I saw an amazingly exciting fencing final that ended 11-11 and went to sudden death. Didn't need to understand the finer points to soak up the drama. Ever tried controlling a horse with the incredible precision needed for dressage. You'd shit yourself and fall off. The incredible athleticism and power needed for various forms of rowing should be admired on a message board concerned with running. Even sports that seem silly at first glance can become fascinating and enthralling, if you give them a chance, and admire the effort and determination it took the competitor to get there.

To date:

Enjoy - rowing, archery, volleyball and unbelievably (for me) I enjoyed watching shooting today. That gal from the USA, Rhode, was on FIRE.

Do without - Equestrian events, basketball and tennis (only because most of the competitors look less than enthused to be there).

Hidden treasures = field hockey chicks

As for sports, I've really enjoyed watching handball, water polo, and archery (surprisingly).

I agree with some of what you say but draw the line at dressage. The guy I saw in the dressage had a suit and top hat and was 48 years old! How many sports requiring as you say, "incredible athletisim and power" can be performed at the very top of the sport by a guy 48 yr. old and in dress clothes.

Many things are very very hard to do but they not Olympic caliber athletic events.

dressage features a Japanese(?) guy in his 70s. It is a highly skilled endeavor with ritualistic significance, like ballet, but lacks the athleticism, and you'll notice ballet is not in the Olympics. Its competitors must be extraordinarily rich or have extraordinarily rich friends, like Mrs. Romney.

3 or more become a congress wrote:

To date:

Enjoy - rowing, archery, volleyball and unbelievably (for me) I enjoyed watching shooting today. That gal from the USA, Rhode, was on FIRE.

Do without - Equestrian events, basketball and tennis (only because most of the competitors look less than enthused to be there).

Yeah tennis is a bit ridiculous as an Olympic event. A lot of top tennis pros who would automatically qualify for the Olympics skip out on it because they would get more ATP ranking points playing ATP tournaments and events that are part of the US Open Series.

Calm down son. Believe it or not but some people actually have a different opinion to you.

And just because something requires great skill it doesn't mean it has to appear entertaining to everyone.

Wow, the equestrians are really getting beat up here. It actually takes massive balls to do all that stuff. Definitely not the fittest guys at the games, but it is good sport. Cross-Country is actually awesome, check it out.

warriorpoet wrote:

Calm down son. Believe it or not but some people actually have a different opinion to you.

And just because something requires great skill it doesn't mean it has to appear entertaining to everyone.

I am quite calm, as it happens. I am happy for people to have whatever opinion they desire. You don't have to find something entertaining to appreciate the skill involved. Dressage involves an incredible mental and physical fusion of horse and rider. It takes decades to perfect. Riders actually get killed in the horse XC. When was the last time someone died in a T&F event?! I bet it's scary as all hell jumping over something seven foot high on a horse.

Americans are notorious for lacking subtlety and finesse. Your reputation in the world is partly based on your inability to extend yourselves to gain a deeper knowledge of things that are not at a child's level of understanding. Like home runs, slam dunks, touchdowns, and ice hockey fights.

you are so articulated and refined. Gosh, how do I learn to be like you?! get off yourself.

Hidden Treasure: Archery. I was so pissed when that Italian hit the 10 on the last shot. Made me hate Italians for a few minutes.

Rediculous: Dressage, Polo, Men's beach volleyball. I want to see the women in bikinis, not cali beach doods.

I've been enjoying the weightlifting competition. There is tension and drama in every lift and, honestly, these people are great athletes. Strong as hell, and they have to be quick and agile to perform the lifts correctly. In the lower weight classes at least, it's amazing how normal looking the athletes' bodies are, but such incredible strength.

equestrian hater, just wait for this event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XrMwiPtqwk

table wrote:

you are so articulated and refined. Gosh, how do I learn to be like you?! get off yourself.

Hidden Treasure: Archery. I was so pissed when that Italian hit the 10 on the last shot. Made me hate Italians for a few minutes.

Rediculous: Dressage, Polo, Men's beach volleyball. I want to see the women in bikinis, not cali beach doods.

I also watched that archery match. Again, close and exciting. Doesn't matter what it is. How do you learn to be like me? You don't. Just be yourself.

Have to agree about the archery. The team archery is actually downright exciting with close matches that come down to the wire. Also, the coverage is very compact - you get to watch from elimination legs to gold medal matches in a short timespan, which gives you a sense of the competitors.

steamy wrote:

equestrian hater, just wait for this event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XrMwiPtqwk

I watched that. It's kinda sad.

Carl Lewis' National Anthem wrote:

What's the verdict on team handball?

Team handball is both prestigious and challenging. I believe handball players should receive great national recognition. And I do NOT walk like an angry duck.

Lydiard is God wrote:

You Americans are such retards. Attention spans of gnats. Maybe Ritalin should be put in the water supply. I saw an amazingly exciting fencing final that ended 11-11 and went to sudden death. Didn't need to understand the finer points to soak up the drama. Ever tried controlling a horse with the incredible precision needed for dressage. You'd shit yourself and fall off. The incredible athleticism and power needed for various forms of rowing should be admired on a message board concerned with running. Even sports that seem silly at first glance can become fascinating and enthralling, if you give them a chance, and admire the effort and determination it took the competitor to get there.

I have to admit that MOST Americans have no clue about sports. Blame ESPN, but I think the way some of the guys worded the topics shows the fun of it all.

Watch baseball without understanding it- it's 50% of the time you stand around and do nothing and 50% you sit around and do nothing.

American Football? a bunch of men running around, hugging each other, and rolling around on the ground with each other- gay much?

Fencing is tough to understand. My son fences, I get it.

One problem is- there is very little sword-play in sabre and too many goofy rules in foil. Epee is where it's at and two good fencers is like watching art.

I saw a lot of live badminton back in Atlanta and quickly became a fan. As you noted, it is very fast paced.

ppp wrote:

Couldn't pay me to watch fencing, rowing or dressage.

Not rowing? Pretty idiotic statement from a runner. Endurance athletes should be able to understand and support each other's boring sports.