What if the Olympics were based on continental teams rather than countries?

The relays would benefit tremendously. The US 4x400m typically dominate but you get the best 400m runners from different African nations combined. Do the same for Europe. Then you have a very competitive relay.

Antarctica would get their arses kicked.

But the people from different countries within every continent don’t even like each other, so much so that you might see a relay runner attacking their teammate with the baton instead of handing it to them.

What if we did away with countries and just took the top X in each individual sport? (Team sports would remain as they are).

Imagine an Iranian athlete refusing to pass or take the baton from an Israeli athlete. He just sits down on the track instead.

the olympics will die a slow death because the concept of countries and borders will be phased out over the next few generations, like we are gradually seeing with the EU. and so many athletes are just moving to another country so they can go to the olympics, it's become a farce in many cases. plus patriotism and nationalism is divisive and not progressive, causes too many conflicts. also it's unfair how you only get the best 3 from each country or whatever, when that means some random 3 hour hobbyjogger from st kitts and nevis is keeping a 2:05 kenyan guy out of the marathon.

so if you want to keep the olympics you just have to make it like an individual championships, not based around nationality.

Alternatively, imagine the US, Jamaica, Canada, and the rest of the West Indies on the same team in the sprints.

Surprised we still have an Olympics.

Got no probems with it other than qualifying marks in track, no need to have 10.1ish sorinters or 13.4 hurdlers, what chance do they yep.....none. The Olympics really do need to be the best in the world no need to have anything less. Try to have as few heats as possible,

Terrible idea not aligned with what the Olympics are about.

I like the format. I wish they stuck with the A, B standard with a limit of 3 per country.

I always wished the marathon would allow more- 3 per based on standards like before and some extra based on a super-standard.

I disagree. In the early days there were no limits on the number of people from a country who could compete. I have never read anything from Coubertin that would make it a national thing.