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Olympics Thread

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
olympics
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  • M Machpants

    So this happened

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/300177431/breakdancing-confirmed-as-olympic-sport-for-paris-2024

    Probably more fun to watch than the ribbon and hoola hoop shit

    dogmeatD Offline
    dogmeatD Offline
    dogmeat
    wrote on last edited by
    #1780

    @Machpants IMO anything that has to be voted on artistic interpretation does not deserve to be at the Olympics.

    Faster - Higher - Stronger

    Next we will have Simon fucking Cowell judging...

    StargazerS antipodeanA 2 Replies Last reply
    6
    • dogmeatD dogmeat

      @Machpants IMO anything that has to be voted on artistic interpretation does not deserve to be at the Olympics.

      Faster - Higher - Stronger

      Next we will have Simon fucking Cowell judging...

      StargazerS Offline
      StargazerS Offline
      Stargazer
      wrote on last edited by
      #1781

      @dogmeat Yes, I'm fine with gymnastics, but to me, breakdancing isn't a sport, no matter how much athleticism is required to do it. The word already includes what it is: dancing. What's next? Cheerleading?

      nzzpN 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • StargazerS Stargazer

        @dogmeat Yes, I'm fine with gymnastics, but to me, breakdancing isn't a sport, no matter how much athleticism is required to do it. The word already includes what it is: dancing. What's next? Cheerleading?

        nzzpN Online
        nzzpN Online
        nzzp
        wrote on last edited by
        #1782

        @Stargazer not entirely sure how you can tolerate rhythmic gymnastics, but slam breakdancing. They've both got interpretation.

        What about diving?

        Anything with judges is going to have some degree of judgement to find a winner.

        That said, rationally I can understand including it, but it doesn't feel 'right'.

        Separately, the best suggestion I've seen for the commonwealth games is go back to traditional commonwealth sports rather than try to be an Olympics-Lite. Wood chopping, caber toss, log rolling, cheese rolling, whatever the hell they do in Australia, etc. I'd sure as shit watch that 🙂

        StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
        3
        • nzzpN nzzp

          @Stargazer not entirely sure how you can tolerate rhythmic gymnastics, but slam breakdancing. They've both got interpretation.

          What about diving?

          Anything with judges is going to have some degree of judgement to find a winner.

          That said, rationally I can understand including it, but it doesn't feel 'right'.

          Separately, the best suggestion I've seen for the commonwealth games is go back to traditional commonwealth sports rather than try to be an Olympics-Lite. Wood chopping, caber toss, log rolling, cheese rolling, whatever the hell they do in Australia, etc. I'd sure as shit watch that 🙂

          StargazerS Offline
          StargazerS Offline
          Stargazer
          wrote on last edited by
          #1783

          @nzzp Who says I'm talking about rhythmic gymnastics?

          I'm talking about vault, still rings, parallel bars, horizontal bars, balance beam. Even floor isn't quite the same as dancing, despite music being used.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • dogmeatD dogmeat

            @Machpants IMO anything that has to be voted on artistic interpretation does not deserve to be at the Olympics.

            Faster - Higher - Stronger

            Next we will have Simon fucking Cowell judging...

            antipodeanA Offline
            antipodeanA Offline
            antipodean
            wrote on last edited by
            #1784

            @dogmeat said in Olympics Thread:

            @Machpants IMO anything that has to be voted on artistic interpretation does not deserve to be at the Olympics.

            Faster - Higher - Stronger

            Agreed. I say this every time the Olympics comes around.

            I met a pentathlete at a party and I made a life-long friend by enquiring "did you take up pentathlon because you couldn't compete in actual events?"

            If it requires a judge it shouldn't be included. If it is surpassed by another sport, it shouldn't be included. So walking and most swimming is gone.

            "I'm the fastest walker over 50km". Whoppee fucking doo. Here's the fastest hop skipper and backwards walker too. Give them a medal.

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • mariner4lifeM Online
              mariner4lifeM Online
              mariner4life
              wrote on last edited by
              #1785

              i saw this news this morning, laughed, and moved on.

              I watch and care about so very little at the olympics already that it doesn't worry me. I watch the running (cross country would have been great) and the cycling, and very little else.

              nzzpN 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • mariner4lifeM mariner4life

                i saw this news this morning, laughed, and moved on.

                I watch and care about so very little at the olympics already that it doesn't worry me. I watch the running (cross country would have been great) and the cycling, and very little else.

                nzzpN Online
                nzzpN Online
                nzzp
                wrote on last edited by nzzp
                #1786

                @mariner4life said in Olympics Thread:

                I watch and care about so very little at the olympics already that it doesn't worry me.

                I'm with you on this. Drugs have completely farked it for me, I don't know who's clean and who's not, and testing sure as shit ain't picking up the cheats.

                So I'm OK with not watching.

                Also, in teh modern world you have regular meetings of teh world's best athletes. I far prefer a World Cup, where it builds over a few weeks to a final, and you get all the tension and spectacle of meaningful knockout matches.

                Edit: except cricket ODI world cups. Those things hurt.

                mariner4lifeM 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • nzzpN nzzp

                  @mariner4life said in Olympics Thread:

                  I watch and care about so very little at the olympics already that it doesn't worry me.

                  I'm with you on this. Drugs have completely farked it for me, I don't know who's clean and who's not, and testing sure as shit ain't picking up the cheats.

                  So I'm OK with not watching.

                  Also, in teh modern world you have regular meetings of teh world's best athletes. I far prefer a World Cup, where it builds over a few weeks to a final, and you get all the tension and spectacle of meaningful knockout matches.

                  Edit: except cricket ODI world cups. Those things hurt.

                  mariner4lifeM Online
                  mariner4lifeM Online
                  mariner4life
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #1787

                  @nzzp said in Olympics Thread:

                  @mariner4life said in Olympics Thread:

                  I watch and care about so very little at the olympics already that it doesn't worry me.

                  I'm with you on this. Drugs have completely farked it for me, I don't know who's clean and who's not, and testing sure as shit ain't picking up the cheats.

                  So I'm OK with not watching.

                  Also, in teh modern world you have regular meetings of teh world's best athletes. I far prefer a World Cup, where it builds over a few weeks to a final, and you get all the tension and spectacle of meaningful knockout matches.

                  actually teh drugs thing isn't even on my radar

                  my main gripe was the fact it became more and more of a nationalistic dick-waving contest, with more focus on medal tables than human achievement.

                  The Australian Free to Air coverage may have had a significant part to play in that. But little old NZ is not above it, especially when "per capita" and "per dollar spent" tables start coming out. Return on Investment is for my work, not my sport watching.

                  Piss off, i want to see someone run a record pace no matter where they are from. I want to watch Bolt win 12 straight golds in 12 events. fuck off swimming.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • voodooV Offline
                    voodooV Offline
                    voodoo
                    wrote on last edited by voodoo
                    #1788

                    Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                    I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                    I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                    I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                    Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                    Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                    antipodeanA Rancid SchnitzelR StargazerS 3 Replies Last reply
                    5
                    • TimT Away
                      TimT Away
                      Tim
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #1789

                      Swimming sucks ass. Most boring shit in TV history. 10 fucking ways to travel the same distance. Lame as fuck. Ban it.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      4
                      • voodooV voodoo

                        Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                        I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                        I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                        I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                        Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                        Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                        antipodeanA Offline
                        antipodeanA Offline
                        antipodean
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #1790

                        @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                        Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                        I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                        I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                        I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                        Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                        It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                        Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                        Like slow tennis?

                        I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                        voodooV 1 Reply Last reply
                        2
                        • voodooV voodoo

                          Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                          I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                          I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                          I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                          Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                          Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                          Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                          Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                          Rancid Schnitzel
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #1791

                          @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                          Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                          I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                          I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                          I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                          Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                          Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                          100%!
                          Was really disappointed the Olympics was canned this year. It used to be difficult with one channel and having to endure Australia vs China in the basketball ffs, but now you can pick and choose your events. Being in Japan too means friendly time zone.

                          I’ve always loved the swimming, even when I never swam myself. Being heavily involved with it now makes me truly appreciate how much devotion and sacrifice are required to even get to the Olympics, let alone win a medal.

                          Hopefully no more unpleasant surprises in 2021.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          3
                          • antipodeanA antipodean

                            @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                            Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                            I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                            I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                            I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                            Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                            It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                            Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                            Like slow tennis?

                            I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                            voodooV Offline
                            voodooV Offline
                            voodoo
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #1792

                            @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                            @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                            Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                            I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                            I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                            I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                            Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                            It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                            Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                            Like slow tennis?

                            I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                            So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                            I've never been to live tennis actually. The idea of watching 2 blokes slug it out for 5hrs never excited me, especially in Australian heat

                            antipodeanA 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • voodooV voodoo

                              Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                              I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                              I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                              I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                              Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                              Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                              StargazerS Offline
                              StargazerS Offline
                              Stargazer
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #1793

                              @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                              Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                              I get that.

                              Having lived in the Netherlands for years as a teenager, I've seen quite a bit of ice speedskating. The 500m sprint is fun, but the long races are quite exciting to watch, too - once you understand a bit how building up a good 5km/10km race works (not dissimilar to running). For some, it's just some guys or gals skating big circles, but it's still one of my favourite sports of the Winter Olympics, along with downhill skiing, (grand) slalom and combined.

                              You won't see it in the Olympics, because Winter Olympics will never be held in the Netherlands, but the atmosphere at Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen is the best in the world. It's one big party!

                              Rancid SchnitzelR 1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • voodooV voodoo

                                @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                Like slow tennis?

                                I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                I've never been to live tennis actually. The idea of watching 2 blokes slug it out for 5hrs never excited me, especially in Australian heat

                                antipodeanA Offline
                                antipodeanA Offline
                                antipodean
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #1794

                                @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                Like slow tennis?

                                I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                Rancid SchnitzelR voodooV 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • antipodeanA antipodean

                                  @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                  @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                  @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                  Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                  I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                  I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                  I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                  Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                  It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                  Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                  Like slow tennis?

                                  I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                  So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                  Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                  I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                  Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                                  Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                                  Rancid Schnitzel
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #1795

                                  @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                  @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                  @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                  @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                  Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                  I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                  I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                  I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                  Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                  It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                  Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                  Like slow tennis?

                                  I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                  So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                  Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                  I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                  I’m sorry but that last comment is the most ridiculous non-Winger thing I’ve ever read on TSF. Even Bradbury himself would give you a flick in the dick for that.

                                  antipodeanA 1 Reply Last reply
                                  3
                                  • StargazerS Stargazer

                                    @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                    Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                    I get that.

                                    Having lived in the Netherlands for years as a teenager, I've seen quite a bit of ice speedskating. The 500m sprint is fun, but the long races are quite exciting to watch, too - once you understand a bit how building up a good 5km/10km race works (not dissimilar to running). For some, it's just some guys or gals skating big circles, but it's still one of my favourite sports of the Winter Olympics, along with downhill skiing, (grand) slalom and combined.

                                    You won't see it in the Olympics, because Winter Olympics will never be held in the Netherlands, but the atmosphere at Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen is the best in the world. It's one big party!

                                    Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                                    Rancid SchnitzelR Offline
                                    Rancid Schnitzel
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #1796

                                    @Stargazer said in Olympics Thread:

                                    @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                    Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                    I get that.

                                    Having lived in the Netherlands for years as a teenager, I've seen quite a bit of ice speedskating. The 500m sprint is fun, but the long races are quite exciting to watch, too - once you understand a bit how building up a good 5km/10km race works (not dissimilar to running). For some, it's just some guys or gals skating big circles, but it's still one of my favourite sports of the Winter Olympics, along with downhill skiing, (grand) slalom and combined.

                                    You won't see it in the Olympics, because Winter Olympics will never be held in the Netherlands, but the atmosphere at Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen is the best in the world. It's one big party!

                                    Ice skating in Holland is kind of like rugby in NZ isn’t it? A national obsession and ridiculously high expectations.

                                    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • antipodeanA antipodean

                                      @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                      @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                      @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                      Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                      I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                      I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                      I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                      Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                      It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                      Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                      Like slow tennis?

                                      I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                      So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                      Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                      I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                      voodooV Offline
                                      voodooV Offline
                                      voodoo
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #1797

                                      @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                      @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                      @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                      @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                      Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                      I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                      I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                      I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                      Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                      It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                      Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                      Like slow tennis?

                                      I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                      So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                      Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                      I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                      Leaving aside the ludicrous last comment, how can you not see the athletic achievement in sticking a landing on a double somersault with 3 fucking twists? Why on earth is throwing round ball of steel more impressive than that?

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                                      • Rancid SchnitzelR Rancid Schnitzel

                                        @Stargazer said in Olympics Thread:

                                        @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                        Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                        I get that.

                                        Having lived in the Netherlands for years as a teenager, I've seen quite a bit of ice speedskating. The 500m sprint is fun, but the long races are quite exciting to watch, too - once you understand a bit how building up a good 5km/10km race works (not dissimilar to running). For some, it's just some guys or gals skating big circles, but it's still one of my favourite sports of the Winter Olympics, along with downhill skiing, (grand) slalom and combined.

                                        You won't see it in the Olympics, because Winter Olympics will never be held in the Netherlands, but the atmosphere at Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen is the best in the world. It's one big party!

                                        Ice skating in Holland is kind of like rugby in NZ isn’t it? A national obsession and ridiculously high expectations.

                                        StargazerS Offline
                                        StargazerS Offline
                                        Stargazer
                                        wrote on last edited by Stargazer
                                        #1798

                                        @Rancid-Schnitzel Yep, ice speed skating is the most popular Winter sport, despite the fact that the last 3-4 decades, good quality natural ice is not always available (not cold enough). There are plenty of artificial ice arena's. Football is still no. 1 overall.

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                                        • Rancid SchnitzelR Rancid Schnitzel

                                          @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                          @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                          @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                          @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                          Shit, I love the Olympics. I choose to ignore the drugs, just pretend it doesn't happen. Same as for the TdF. Ignorance is bliss.

                                          I love seeing these young kids achieve their dreams.

                                          I'll watch a final of just about anything, I only draw the line at anything synchronised or any of the walking events.

                                          I get the stupidity of a million swimming events, but no point whining about that, they've been here forever. I also don't want to see anything added where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle achievement of the sport. So bye bye rugby, tennis, any soccer events. Even basketball could bugger off.

                                          Cant remove all judging, that would remove boxing, wrestling, all gymnastics, and in any case is a judge that different from a ref?

                                          It's a team sport and the ref isn't handing out judgement on artistic flair as well as technical merit.

                                          Edit: just with swimming, if you've never been to a live meet, its actually really fun. The atmosphere you can generate in that sweaty little arena is pretty cool, and with races so short, its constant entertainment

                                          Like slow tennis?

                                          I just don't understand why in the modern era we give a shit who doggy paddles the fastest.

                                          So you'd also ban diving? Anything that awards points for style? That's all gymnastics. Figure skating at the Winter Games too?

                                          Yes. I simply don't value those as athletic achievements as I do people who can cover a set distance the fastest, jump the highest or fling themselves or something else the furthest.

                                          I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                          I’m sorry but that last comment is the most ridiculous non-Winger thing I’ve ever read on TSF. Even Bradbury himself would give you a flick in the dick for that.

                                          antipodeanA Offline
                                          antipodeanA Offline
                                          antipodean
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #1799

                                          @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Olympics Thread:

                                          @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                          I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                          I’m sorry but that last comment is the most ridiculous non-Winger thing I’ve ever read on TSF. Even Bradbury himself would give you a flick in the dick for that.

                                          Correction. Phelps has won a single Olympic gold medal where he alone was the fastest over a distance: 200m freestyle. Paavo Nurmi and Carl Lewis are better Olympians.

                                          @voodoo said in Olympics Thread:

                                          @antipodean said in Olympics Thread:

                                          I put Steven Bradbury's medal above Michael Phelps'.

                                          Leaving aside the ludicrous last comment, how can you not see the athletic achievement in sticking a landing on a double somersault with 3 fucking twists? Why on earth is throwing round ball of steel more impressive than that?

                                          Sure it's demanding and technical. It doesn't fit the Olympic motto and requires judgement beyond the technical. Have a World Gymnastics Championship.

                                          voodooV Rancid SchnitzelR 2 Replies Last reply
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