2016 Summer Olympics

[AZBrewCrew]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

 

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[MrTPlush]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

 

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I would say 80% of this stuff is never on TV. Can't remember the last time white water kayaking was on ESPN...or Table Tennis. I could go on.

[logan82]

Yeah I have never seen a movie about ping pong.

 

I'll assume you are joshing us. You couldn't possibly have forgotten this one.

 

http://www.impawards.com/2007/posters/balls_of_fury_ver4.jpg

Yes, yes I was. That was exactly the movie I was thinking of.

[jerichoholicninja]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

 

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So true. Not just become fans but also experts in the sports and the competitors involved.

[FVBrewerFan]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

I don't agree with the bandwagon comment. Most people here are fans of American athletes, and they only compete every four years for the most part. It's not like people suddenly become fans of Phelps, the women gymnastics team, basketball, beach volleyball, women's soccer team, track/field, and others. Maybe I'm taking what you said the wrong way.

[homer]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

 

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So?

[bjkrautk]

I like the gymnastics, but the fact countries are limited to two gymnast in the all-around...is well...the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I just can't wrap that around my mind.

 

Same reason why there are no more than 2 swimmers for a country allowed for any specific event: it's about increasing global representation. Based on what I've seen from the women's gymnastics team, I'm guessing all 5 of them could have placed in the top 24 for the All-Around. (Hell, I wouldn't bet against Nastia Liukin coming out of the NBC announcing booth and putting up a respectable number.)

 

People in other countries like watching their own athletes compete....even if they're not in a position to medal.

[Mass Haas]

There needs to be more emphasis placed (when discussing the overall medal count), just how lopsided and skewed the swimming competition makes things.

 

Look, kudos to Michael Phelps, but he could be the Michael Jordan of water polo, and at best, he's winning one medal per Olympics.

[FVBrewerFan]

There needs to be more emphasis placed (when discussing the overall medal count), just how lopsided and skewed the swimming competition makes things.

 

Look, kudos to Michael Phelps, but he could be the Michael Jordan of water polo, and at best, he's winning one medal per Olympics.

 

Get what you're saying, but I don't think swimming skews anything. No different than track & field, where there's even more medals on the line. Gymnastics, pretty much the same thing- lots of medals up for grabs.

[stoutdude04]

Why is men's soccer 23 and under, but the womens game isnt?

[Jimbo]

Ahh the Olympics. The one time every 4 years the majority of people become sudden huge fans of sports other than baseball football basketball and hockey. Wanna talk about bandwagon fans? Look no further than the average Olympic viewer.

 

 

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I would say 80% of this stuff is never on TV. Can't remember the last time white water kayaking was on ESPN...or Table Tennis. I could go on.

 

I know I'm not in the majority, but I would watch more of this stuff on the off years if it were available. Alas, NBC discontinued Universal Sports network back in November.

[Funketown]

Why is men's soccer 23 and under, but the womens game isnt?

 

I suspect it has to do with the fact that the club season is starting in the next few days, and given that the Euro's run on the same cycle, clubs especially don't want players taking part in two competitive summer tournaments. Neymar was offered the choice of playing either the Copa America or the Olympics, and chose the Olympics. Teams can have a few overage players, but they're often not stars.

 

For women, I'd guess that the spotlight of international competition is hugely beneficial to their professional leagues.

 

Handball is amusing, but it always strikes me as the sport you'd come up with if you didn't want a 'twist' to it. I mean, in hockey, you skate. In field hockey and lacrosse, you need to handle the ball with a stick. Basketball puts the goal on a ten foot post. Water Polo is, you know, in water.

 

And I'm also all-in-favor of a subjective quality-adjusted medal count. While the US rack up medals in swimming, they also dominate in some of the most-desired medals.

[FVBrewerFan]

And I'm also all-in-favor of a subjective quality-adjusted medal count.

 

What does that mean?

[Funketown]

It means that I very scientifically have determined that basketball, 100 meter sprints, and gymnastics count triple, whereas horse stuff counts as 0.10 X medals.

[fondybrewfan]

Equestrian is kind of ridiculous. Its not a sport for the rider. If the horse wins give him a golden carrot or something; they are the ones doing all the work. I am still not sure what dressage is.

 

I have been watching archery quite a bit; it is kind of amazing how consistently good those top players are. 10's or 9's every single time.

 

I enjoy watching the Olympics and don't pretend to know much of anything about the more obscure sports. That's what makes it fun. I am for the most part a homer but have no problems cheering for the underdog either.

[RobDeer 45]

Pitch League - How could I forget! Well I've never seen it, but nice pull!

 

I like the obscure sport watching too. I mean I only watch for a bit, but I just love sports and competition. It's a cool event and only happens once every 4 years (2 if you count alternating summer/winter).

[Funketown]

And I'm also all-in-favor of a subjective quality-adjusted medal count.

 

What does that mean?

 

 

I'm not alone! This came out an hour later.

 

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/which-countries-medal-in-the-sports-that-people-care-about/

 

'Merica.

[AKCheesehead]

According to that site, cycling is the 8th most watched event. I find that just completely baffling.

[MrTPlush]

According to that site, cycling is the 8th most watched event. I find that just completely baffling.

 

I don't find that surprising. It's usually what is on around noon.

 

On another note I really don't see any issue with medal count. There is 10 variations of most sports. Diving/Cycling/Running/Gymnastics/etc. all has multiple ways to medal.

[Jimbo]

Jimbo to Rowdy Gaines: no need to yell into the microphone.

 

Jimbo to Tom Hammond: there was more than one American in the 10K.

[homer]

And I'm also all-in-favor of a subjective quality-adjusted medal count.

 

What does that mean?

 

 

I'm not alone! This came out an hour later.

 

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/which-countries-medal-in-the-sports-that-people-care-about/

 

'Merica.

 

 

Trampoline is an Olympic event.

 

 

 

 

 

Trampoline.

[Jimbo]

 

 

Trampoline is an Olympic event.

 

Many years ago rope climbing was an NCAA event.

[trwi7]

Trampoline is an Olympic event.

 

 

 

 

 

Trampoline.

 

So are horses jumping over hurdles. I root for every horse to go rogue and buck the stupid riders off.

[ttsather]

I finally went and read the basic rules of team handball. The ball-in-net-to-score part was clear, but the more nuanced parts were not. Turns out it's super straightforward and seems less full contact-oriented than even basketball or soccer. I'm surprised it's not more popular here, especially recreationally. I could see people of a lot of different ages playing this, and you'd just need a regular gym-sized area.

 

Key Points (from http://usadth.tripod.com/rules.html):

- 3 steps before and after dribbling (with unlimited dribbling once you start, but no double dribble)

- Can't pull/hit/punch the ball out of an opponent's hand

- Can't dive on the floor for a loose ball

- Can only use torso to physically obstruct another player

- Big area (6m line) around the goal, you can leap into it but you must release before you land

[madbad2000]

I've always liked the idea of handball and would like to watch more. Trampoline is pretty fun to watch...so much going on if you like flips and incredible height. I despise all the horse events. Shouldn't be a part of the Olympics at all.