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I'm from the South and probably just don't get some of these Winter Olympic Sports. Ok, I understand that the I.O.C. is a Sub-committee of the UN and operates with the same political biases so I should understand, as an ugly American, why Baseball and Softball aren't relevant sports (yes, I know they are played in the Summer Olympics) and deserved to be dropped on that merit.

So, how have the following been deemed representative of sporting endeavors in a major area of the world; Bi-athalon(ok you ski'd into the woods and shot a rabbit for dinner --- that's sport), Curling (Sweeping on-ice .. what athletes! Why not Bowling or Shuffleboard?), Bobsled (why not Snowmobiling?), Slalom (why not water-sking in the summer?), and my favorite major athletic event, Luge?? Why not downhill bicycling?

Seriously, does anyone else out there look at some of this stuff and wonder how in the world do they select the sports to represent International athletic competition?? And just for the record, I've traveled, worked and lived abroad.

JMO
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The sports are selected or eliminated by vote. The national federation for the sport being considered does a presentation.

What may seem like a silly sport to you may be a huge sport in other parts of the world (biathalon, bobsled, luge and slalom). I have no idea how popular curling is. Slalom is the most challenging ski event in the Olympics. There are plenty of downhill champions who stink at slalom. Biathalon has it's origins in the military.

Add: Today, curling is played all over Europe and has spread to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Korea. Curling has been an official sport in the Winter Olympic Games since the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Last edited by RJM
quote:
Originally posted by Prime9:
Ok, I understand that the I.O.C. is a Sub-committee of the UN and operates with the same political biases....

JMO


The IOC has partnered with the United Nations Environmental Progamme (UNEP)on certain issues, however,I don't believe the IOC is officially a sub committee of the UN.
No, I know the IOC and the UN aren't affiliated. That was just my attempt at sarcasm as they both operate with a "political agenda."

Interesting that curling is popular but Shuffleboard never hit the big time. If the Biathalon has a Military history it's presumably the Russians, at work as our Allies on the Russian front .... but really. Many of us trained as Snipers .... don't see it as sport either.
Maybe curling is one of the most watched because it has been broadcast almost 24/7 on CNBC. I swear, almost everytime I go there, they are curling. I don't mind it, but my wife has said the same thing Prime said about it.

My big thing is Ice Dancing. I can maybe understand pairs skating (Blades of Glory), but Ice Dancing is rediculous IMO.

I really like all the skiing events, except maybe cross country although I see it's merit as an Olympic sport. Good to see the X Games crowd involved. Those guys are nuts, but very talented. Snowboarding 1/2 pipe is insane!!
quote:
In case you missed it, baseball is no longer in the summer olympics.


Actually, that was the point I was trying to make; they have been dropped (therefore not deemed relevant by the IOC) while we have all this other non-sense stuff that apparently, to someone somewhere, ARE relevant Olympic sports.

Sorry that I didn't make myself clear.
had a similar discussion recently - friend is perfectly OK with Hockey, but thinks they did the right thing with baseball. Huh? Never really got a good answer except that Olympics are supposed to be the best of the best.

Personally, I think letting in NBA players ruined all "team" sports. Cuba and the Caribbean nations are hurt the most by eliminating baseball, not the US. I guess there is no such thing as amateur - except maybe in US high schools.

I also don't think the IOC is so much political, as money making. They seem very aware of the TV audience, but have dismissed the internet audience. I wanted to see Seth Wescott's gold medal run and couldn't find it. Several youtube files had been taken down by the IOC. (might be up now, haven't checked in the post few days) They think curling and hockey have the wider appeal. Personally I love bobsled. luge, skeleton, various skiing events. and speed skating. Figure skating is OK.
To support this discussion, I propose a set of attributes for most relevant and least relevant Olympic sports. This is my opinion alone, and yes, it is completely intended to create a debate. Here's what I think:

Most Relevant Olympic Sports:
1) Competed Internationally at a competetive level in other venues
2) Opposing defense or head-to-head action is integral
3) Demands a high level of skill and athleticism
4) The sport has a complex developmental heirarchy in most countries (youth/amateur/semi-pro/pro)


Moderately Relevant:
1) Played by all G8 and traditional Olympic countries at a competetive level in other venues
2) Competitor is not completely in control of the conditions
3) Demands a high level of skill and athleticism
4) Lots of youth/amateur paricipation, but you can't go pro


Least Relevant:
1) Specific to a more limited set of countries
2) Prepared programs and/or benign competing conditions
3) One of either "level of skill" or "level of athleticism" required could be debated (I don't think both could ever be debated for the Olympics)
4) People pretty much only prepare for the Olympics in the sport


I think there could also be different combinations of the above that would probably fall in the "Moderate Relevance" category.
Last edited by wraggArm
The IOC baseball vote was purely a political shot at the USA, without question. While the lack of baseball may hurt other countries more, it is seen as an American sport, and in case anyone missed it, we aren't always the most popular kid on the block.

Each region of the world has their own sport favorites. Speed skating isn't huge here, but in the European countries that stay frozen several months each year, it's a very very big deal. If there was an ESPN Norway, and if there isn't, there will be someday, they would lead with skiing and skating, not A-Rod and Labron.

Curling and synchronized swimming push the envelope of "sport" IMHO, but if enough people enjoy watching, and will buy tickets, it will be legitimized.


One of these days, some enterprising soul will combine synchronized swimming with the SI swimsuit issue, and they will sell out cable TV rights to every bar in America...
quote:
Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
quote:
Baseball and Softball aren't relevant sports (yes, I know they are played in the Summer Olympics)


In case you missed it, baseball is no longer in the summer olympics.
Softball is gone too. Baseball could have been saved by MLB taking a midseason break like the NHL does for the Winter Olympics. USA Softball dominated Olympic softball to the point it was considered noncompetitive. The following year China beat USA in the World Cup competition.
Last edited by RJM
quote:
Originally posted by jemaz:
Curling is fabulous. I have become a curling fan for life. I want to take up curling. I want to learn the rules, I want to watch, I want to compete. It is the crown of the Olympics. Put it in the summer games, too!

Seriously, curling rocks. I can't get enough of it.


I would assume anyone of us on here could compete in curling. It seems unfair to an Athlete who trains 5+hours a day on either skiing, skating or swimming, or running can get the same metal as say a guy who drinks beer and eats chicken wings. Kinda makes you scratch your head and say ok, maybe curling is really a game, not a sport.

I know it is popular, and fascinating for some easily amused, but it is a game, just like horse shoes, shuffleboard or croquet.
Last edited by dub-L-play
Actually I've come to sort of like watching curling too. My son said he's played it a friends club and said its a fun game to play as well.

The announcers did lose me when lamenting the USA womens team lack of success they mentioned how they "work out" year round to stay in shape for the sport.

"Ich don't think so."
There are 39 Summer Olympic sports. 16 involve what I believe we would call defense (facing off against each other). Another 7 involve defense if you consider angling on the turns defense (some cycling, sailing, track, etc). There are 15 Winter Olympic sports. Only 1 (hockey) involves face to face defense. There are 6 more if you consider angling in a race defense. In total only 17 of 54 Olympic sports involve face to face defense. It leads me to believe face to face defense is not what the Olympics is about or interests the world's sports fans. The original Olympics involved foot and chariot races.
Last edited by RJM

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