Do we really want the Olympics? - Page 2

Damien Evans · 6th May 2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by tomwaits

I love the Olympics. Not sure if I would want them in Chicago, but I guess I could use the opportunity to rent out my apartment to make a quick buck.

We had the smaller, but still very large Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 6 years ago. I loved every second of it. I got to see 2 days of Rugby Sevens and 1 day of track and field at the venue, and hundreds of hours on tv. They even changed the dates of our school holidays for it. Best 2 weeks I'd had for ages.

Saw this live from the top level about 50 metres before the finish line:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

tomwaits · 6th May 2012, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by GlennB

Definitely keep the Olympics, but trim off quite a lot of the junk sports. It's become horribly bloated. And I will decide which is junk, thank you very much

It does seem like a lot of the sports are just there so that the U.S. can get more gold medals. But I still enjoy watching them.

GlennB · 7th May 2012, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by tomwaits

It does seem like a lot of the sports are just there so that the U.S. can get more gold medals. But I still enjoy watching them.

I was thinking off stuff that's indistinguishable from ballroom dancing and ballet (like synchronised swimming, rhythmic gymnastics), plus the sports that mean little or nothing to the players compared to their pro events (like tennis, soccer etc)

Damien Evans · 7th May 2012, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by GlennB

I was thinking off stuff that's indistinguishable from ballroom dancing and ballet (like synchronised swimming, rhythmic gymnastics), plus the sports that mean little or nothing to the players compared to their pro events (like tennis, soccer etc)

Try telling Roger Federer the Olympics mean nothing.

mediocrity511 · 7th May 2012, 02:27 AM

Can't stand the Olympics and the security stuff seems to be temporarily turning us into a paramilitary state. Protest is pretty much banned for the duration, police have powers to enter houses to seize political posters. Surface to air missiles, helicopters full of snipers, a battleship on the Thames, armed police, military in the streets...one would think we were under the rule of a military junta. I'm just waiting for the next Brazilian plumber or newspaper seller to die because of this stupidity and it wouldn't surprise me if there was a Blair Peach or Alphie Meadows incident as well. If I was a terrorist then I'd view the security theatre as a challenge and if I failed, then I'd know that the population had lost vast amounts of liberty before I even set off on my mission.

JJM 777 · 7th May 2012, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha

But the question remains if this 9 billion dollar project is better than another 9 billion dollar project.

GBR spending 9 billion for an international sports event (rather than the payment being somewhat shared by countries) is not the worst thing that GBR spends money on, but not the best either. Using money more wisely probably would shoot down some other project first.

nvidiot · 7th May 2012, 02:37 AM

You guys need a visit from the Chaser's.

Here's what they got up to when we had APEC down under.

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

nvidiot · 7th May 2012, 02:39 AM

I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later.

Akhenaten · 7th May 2012, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by mediocrity511

Surface to air missiles, helicopters full of snipers, a battleship on the Thames, armed police, military in the streets...one would think we were under the rule of a military junta.

These all sound like decent enough attractions and should go down fairly well with the tourists, although I reckon a few tanks would have been better. The battleship, however, sounds totally awesome.

Pics?

666 · 7th May 2012, 03:04 AM

There was a poll here on virtually the same topic. Don't know if it's still open for votes.

angrysoba · 7th May 2012, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by GlennB

Definitely keep the Olympics, but trim off quite a lot of the junk sports. It's become horribly bloated. And I will decide which is junk, thank you very much

Me too. I'll calm down a little from my 100-metres-only to say that most track and fields are good.

All sports in which there is a better tournament, such as the football world cup, should be trimmed though.

All sports in which people hold up number boards and is mostly based on politics must go.

That means gymnastics, synchronised swimming and boxing.

And show-jumping.

Get rid of silly sports such as the triple jump.

And no more different strokes in swimming. It's cheating by the swimming nations. Get. Rid. Of. Those. Diff'rent Strokes.

shadron · 7th May 2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Damien Evans

Why on earth would Europeans want NASCAR when Formula 1, The European Le Mans Series, the various Carrera Cups, British Touring Cars and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters exist?

That's all pretty elitist stuff; I just thought some low-brow might be just the thing to hook up the football thug crowd, to engage the heather moorland dreamers, as it were. Jane Eyre didn't have enough to do.

Bikewer · 7th May 2012, 07:01 AM

I'm not a huge sports fan. I follow Formula One, and Le Tour. That's about it. Still, I rather enjoy the Olympics. Not that there aren't problems...

The state-sponsored "amateur" teams, for instance. The heavy politicization... Which at times during the Cold War was just obscene. The emphasis on the "medal count" by country...
Still, the individual stories of the athletes are often compelling. These people work enormously hard and often have to overcome huge adversities just to get to compete. That's where much of the interest lies, at least for me.

Is it "worth it"? Depends. Some hosting venues have done rather well, thank you, and the infrastructure built for the events continues to be used profitably.
On the other hand, some cities have lost heavily and the various venues have crumbled into disrepair....
The scandals involved in wooing the Olympic Committee have been rather nasty...

Sure, the UK could bundle up 9 billions and send it to Africa as food aid; where likely 8 billions would end up in the pockets of tin-pot dictators and their cronies. You could say the same about much of the US defense budget.....

Damien Evans · 7th May 2012, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by nvidiot

I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later.

It can be found on torrents, not that I would do such a thing of course.

Marduk · 7th May 2012, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Damien Evans

Why on earth would Europeans want NASCAR when Formula 1, The European Le Mans Series, the various Carrera Cups, British Touring Cars and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters exist?

well personally I'm not intelligent enough to sustain an interest in those motor sports, but hell, I could drive in NASCAR

Mark6 · 7th May 2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Seismosaurus

Just out of curiosity, I took a look at the 100 m sprint times for the last Olympics. In a year where the winner of that race set a new world record, the difference between 1st and 2nd place was 0.2 seconds. The difference between 1st and 10th was 0.34 seconds. Is it really worth getting impressed about that a man is a third of a second faster than his contemporaries? I don't think so.

A bit off-topic:

Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches.

Unless we accept the use of performance-enhancing drugs and genetic engineering.

JJM 777 · 7th May 2012, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

Get rid of silly sports such as the triple jump.

And walking, the art of trying to go as fast as possible, without trying to go as fast as possible.

Originally Posted by angrysoba

boxing

No number plates are needed, if the fight goes on until KO.

But then, boxing is a silly art of trying to harm the opponent, without trying to harm the opponent (with the most obvious weapons, the legs).

Marcus · 7th May 2012, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by BravesFan

Yes we want the Olympics, as I live in the southern USA How else can I see curling every 4 years?

It's funny, I love the curling, I even record the USA matches. Don't know why.

Mark6 · 7th May 2012, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

And no more different strokes in swimming. It's cheating by the swimming nations. Get. Rid. Of. Those. Diff'rent Strokes.

Would you prefer every athlete to swim whichever way he does best, or uniform stroke established?

Also, is skiing a cheating by snowy nations?

Modified · 7th May 2012, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Mark6

A bit off-topic:

Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches.

Was that before or after this happened?

Men's Olympic 100m winning times:
1996 9.84
2000 9.87
2004 9.85
2008 9.69 - Oops.

Certainly there will come a point where that will be true, but there are still large gains to be made. Based on studies I've read on the effect of weight training on sprinting performance, many track athletes, even top ones, are still over-trained on the track and under-trained or inappropriately trained in the weight room for optimum performance.

Modified · 7th May 2012, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Mark6

Would you prefer every athlete to swim whichever way he does best, or uniform stroke established?

Also, is skiing a cheating by snowy nations?

Swimming already has freestyle events, but I would like to see the technical rules removed from track events. High jump should be "get over the bar any way you can" - no requirement to jump off one foot as it is now, shot put should be "heave the shot put any way you can" - no requirement for one hand, shot held "near the neck" and no lowering the shot during the attempt, as it is now. Of course it would be disruptive to make these changes now, but I would like to see the limited-rules versions added. It would be really interesting for a while, as new techniques would be developed and radically different techniques would be in competition with each other, kind of like the early days of MMA.

Mark6 · 7th May 2012, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Modified

Was that before or after this happened?

Men's Olympic 100m winning times:
1996 9.84
2000 9.87
2004 9.85
2008 9.69 - Oops.

Certainly there will come a point where that will be true, but there are still large gains to be made. Based on studies I've read on the effect of weight training on sprinting performance, many track athletes, even top ones, are still over-trained on the track and under-trained or inappropriately trained in the weight room for optimum performance.

After. In 2011, actually.

Bill Thompson · 7th May 2012, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Johnny Brant

The London Olympics are costing 9.3 billion GB pounds (about 13 billion US dollars), couldn't the cash be spent on better things?
Do we really care if somebody can run faster than somebody else, or that somebody can throw something further?
Anyway, most athletes are pumped-up freaks full of performance-enhancing drugs, making the Olympics an empty hollow charade.
Am i alone in wanting the Olympics slung onto the garbage dump of history from now on and forgotten?

It is filthy hog wash. What the Olympics has become, that is.

My athletic supermodel Brazilian in-laws disagree. But I think sports has become something obscene. They, on the other hand, cannot get enough of it.

Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams.

Modified · 7th May 2012, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bill Thompson

It is filthy hog wash. What the Olympics has become, that is.

My athletic supermodel Brazilian in-laws disagree. But I think sports has become something obscene. They, on the other hand, cannot get enough of it.

Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams.

College football generally makes money, in some cases huge profits even when all the hidden costs are considered - not that that's necessarily a good thing.

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by angrysoba

And no more different strokes in swimming. It's cheating by the swimming nations. Get. Rid. Of. Those. Diff'rent Strokes.

Say what?

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Mark6

A bit off-topic:

Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches.

Unless we accept the use of performance-enhancing drugs and genetic engineering.

I'm going to guess that a study made in 1912 would have said the same thing.

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Modified

Swimming already has freestyle events, but I would like to see the technical rules removed from track events. High jump should be "get over the bar any way you can" - no requirement to jump off one foot as it is now, shot put should be "heave the shot put any way you can" - no requirement for one hand, shot held "near the neck" and no lowering the shot during the attempt, as it is now. Of course it would be disruptive to make these changes now, but I would like to see the limited-rules versions added. It would be really interesting for a while, as new techniques would be developed and radically different techniques would be in competition with each other, kind of like the early days of MMA.

I've never understood why "style points" are factored in on ski jumping. Shouldn't it just be who can fly the farthest? You can land on your head, for all I care.

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Bill Thompson

Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams.

Yep. That's also where they make the most money (besides tuition, presumably).

sarge · 7th May 2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

I've never understood why "style points" are factored in on ski jumping. Shouldn't it just be who can fly the farthest? You can land on your head, for all I care.

Actually, that would improve the viewability of ski jumping considerably. And baseball (the most boring spectator activity in history) would be much better if everyone had a bat. No need for a ball then - make it around the bases alive, score.

mediocrity511 · 7th May 2012, 10:06 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...five-questions
This Guardian article outlines many of the issues I have with the games, not just the farcical security theatre, but the scandalous amounts of money invoved and the lack of accountability to the taxpayers who are forced into funding this.

Akhenaten · 7th May 2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by mediocrity511

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...five-questions
This Guardian article outlines many of the issues I have with the games, not just the farcical security theatre, but the scandalous amounts of money invoved and the lack of accountability to the taxpayers who are forced into funding this.

No pics of the battleship then?

mediocrity511 · 7th May 2012, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

No pics of the battleship then?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...olympic-818230
There you go!

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by sarge

Actually, that would improve the viewability of ski jumping considerably. And baseball (the most boring spectator activity in history) would be much better if everyone had a bat. No need for a ball then - make it around the bases alive, score.

You're supposed to credit the source you stole this from.

Akhenaten · 7th May 2012, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by mediocrity511

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...olympic-818230
There you go!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that neither you nor the person who captioned this picture from your linked article has any idea what a battleship is.

In any case, it seems to me that the opportunity afforded by the Olympics to conduct such an exercise is yet another ancillary benefit.

In what way is it, per your previous description, "farcical"?

sarge · 7th May 2012, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

You're supposed to credit the source you stole this from.

I'm sure I'll turn out wrong, but I don't recall lifting this from anyone. Did I read it somewhere else and then forget that I'd read it - fooling myself into thinking I'd had an original idea?

The Central Scrutinizer · 7th May 2012, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by sarge

I'm sure I'll turn out wrong, but I don't recall lifting this from anyone. Did I read it somewhere else and then forget that I'd read it - fooling myself into thinking I'd had an original idea?

IIRC, it's from George Carlin.

Jarlaxle · 7th May 2012, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth I

I will say that since they let the pros in I don't have much interest in the Olympics any more.

That!

I was very happy to see than Chicago didn't get the Olympics. In fact, I fervently hope there is NEVER another Olympics in the US.

arthwollipot · 7th May 2012, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by nvidiot

I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later.

The best part of "The Games" was that it was being written while the games were actually going on. So when a busload of American archers got lost, that became part of the show.

Damien Evans · 7th May 2012, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

The best part of "The Games" was that it was being written while the games were actually going on. So when a busload of American archers got lost, that became part of the show.

That was the second season. the first season was in 1999.

arthwollipot · 7th May 2012, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Damien Evans

That was the second season. the first season was in 1999.

Yes, which was being written while the games were being planned.

7th May 2012, 01:07 AM	#44
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,285	Originally Posted by GlennB I was thinking off stuff that's indistinguishable from ballroom dancing and ballet (like synchronised swimming, rhythmic gymnastics), plus the sports that mean little or nothing to the players compared to their pro events (like tennis, soccer etc) Try telling Roger Federer the Olympics mean nothing.
	__________________ WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? - Death "Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies." - Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of Yothu Yindi

7th May 2012, 02:27 AM	#45
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120	Can't stand the Olympics and the security stuff seems to be temporarily turning us into a paramilitary state. Protest is pretty much banned for the duration, police have powers to enter houses to seize political posters. Surface to air missiles, helicopters full of snipers, a battleship on the Thames, armed police, military in the streets...one would think we were under the rule of a military junta. I'm just waiting for the next Brazilian plumber or newspaper seller to die because of this stupidity and it wouldn't surprise me if there was a Blair Peach or Alphie Meadows incident as well. If I was a terrorist then I'd view the security theatre as a challenge and if I failed, then I'd know that the population had lost vast amounts of liberty before I even set off on my mission.
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120

7th May 2012, 02:39 AM	#48
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793	I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later.
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793	__________________ www.horsemen-gaming.com

7th May 2012, 02:40 AM	#49
Akhenaten Heretic Pharaoh Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pi-Broadford, Australia Posts: 24,656	Originally Posted by mediocrity511 Surface to air missiles, helicopters full of snipers, a battleship on the Thames, armed police, military in the streets...one would think we were under the rule of a military junta. These all sound like decent enough attractions and should go down fairly well with the tourists, although I reckon a few tanks would have been better. The battleship, however, sounds totally awesome. Pics?
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7th May 2012, 03:04 AM	#50
666 Whingeing Pom Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Slightly to the east of Kernow. Posts: 1,327	There was a poll here on virtually the same topic. Don't know if it's still open for votes.
	__________________

6th May 2012, 11:59 PM	#42
tomwaits Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 2,288	Originally Posted by GlennB Definitely keep the Olympics, but trim off quite a lot of the junk sports. It's become horribly bloated. And I will decide which is junk, thank you very much It does seem like a lot of the sports are just there so that the U.S. can get more gold medals. But I still enjoy watching them.

7th May 2012, 12:06 AM	#43
GlennB Jellied eel and offal fancier Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arcadia Posts: 8,944	Originally Posted by tomwaits It does seem like a lot of the sports are just there so that the U.S. can get more gold medals. But I still enjoy watching them. I was thinking off stuff that's indistinguishable from ballroom dancing and ballet (like synchronised swimming, rhythmic gymnastics), plus the sports that mean little or nothing to the players compared to their pro events (like tennis, soccer etc)

7th May 2012, 02:36 AM	#46
JJM 777 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,175	Originally Posted by Tsukasa Buddha But the question remains if this 9 billion dollar project is better than another 9 billion dollar project. GBR spending 9 billion for an international sports event (rather than the payment being somewhat shared by countries) is not the worst thing that GBR spends money on, but not the best either. Using money more wisely probably would shoot down some other project first.

7th May 2012, 06:30 AM	#51
angrysoba Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 8,523	Originally Posted by GlennB Definitely keep the Olympics, but trim off quite a lot of the junk sports. It's become horribly bloated. And I will decide which is junk, thank you very much Me too. I'll calm down a little from my 100-metres-only to say that most track and fields are good. All sports in which there is a better tournament, such as the football world cup, should be trimmed though. All sports in which people hold up number boards and is mostly based on politics must go. That means gymnastics, synchronised swimming and boxing. And show-jumping. Get rid of silly sports such as the triple jump. And no more different strokes in swimming. It's cheating by the swimming nations. Get. Rid. Of. Those. Diff'rent Strokes.

7th May 2012, 06:33 AM	#52
shadron Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,719	Originally Posted by Damien Evans Why on earth would Europeans want NASCAR when Formula 1, The European Le Mans Series, the various Carrera Cups, British Touring Cars and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters exist? That's all pretty elitist stuff; I just thought some low-brow might be just the thing to hook up the football thug crowd, to engage the heather moorland dreamers, as it were. Jane Eyre didn't have enough to do.

7th May 2012, 07:01 AM	#53
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,525	I'm not a huge sports fan. I follow Formula One, and Le Tour. That's about it. Still, I rather enjoy the Olympics. Not that there aren't problems... The state-sponsored "amateur" teams, for instance. The heavy politicization... Which at times during the Cold War was just obscene. The emphasis on the "medal count" by country... Still, the individual stories of the athletes are often compelling. These people work enormously hard and often have to overcome huge adversities just to get to compete. That's where much of the interest lies, at least for me. Is it "worth it"? Depends. Some hosting venues have done rather well, thank you, and the infrastructure built for the events continues to be used profitably. On the other hand, some cities have lost heavily and the various venues have crumbled into disrepair.... The scandals involved in wooing the Olympic Committee have been rather nasty... Sure, the UK could bundle up 9 billions and send it to Africa as food aid; where likely 8 billions would end up in the pockets of tin-pot dictators and their cronies. You could say the same about much of the US defense budget.....

7th May 2012, 07:45 AM	#54
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,285	Originally Posted by nvidiot I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later. It can be found on torrents, not that I would do such a thing of course.
	__________________ WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? - Death "Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies." - Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of Yothu Yindi

7th May 2012, 08:02 AM	#55
Marduk Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 10,242	Originally Posted by Damien Evans Why on earth would Europeans want NASCAR when Formula 1, The European Le Mans Series, the various Carrera Cups, British Touring Cars and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters exist? well personally I'm not intelligent enough to sustain an interest in those motor sports, but hell, I could drive in NASCAR

7th May 2012, 08:30 AM	#56
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	Originally Posted by Seismosaurus Just out of curiosity, I took a look at the 100 m sprint times for the last Olympics. In a year where the winner of that race set a new world record, the difference between 1st and 2nd place was 0.2 seconds. The difference between 1st and 10th was 0.34 seconds. Is it really worth getting impressed about that a man is a third of a second faster than his contemporaries? I don't think so. A bit off-topic: Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches. Unless we accept the use of performance-enhancing drugs and genetic engineering.
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	__________________ Gamemaster: "A horde of rotting zombies is shambling toward you. The sign over the door says 'Accounting'"

7th May 2012, 08:35 AM	#57
JJM 777 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,175	Originally Posted by angrysoba Get rid of silly sports such as the triple jump. And walking, the art of trying to go as fast as possible, without trying to go as fast as possible. Originally Posted by angrysoba boxing No number plates are needed, if the fight goes on until KO. But then, boxing is a silly art of trying to harm the opponent, without trying to harm the opponent (with the most obvious weapons, the legs).

7th May 2012, 08:36 AM	#58
Marcus Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin Posts: 1,840	Originally Posted by BravesFan Yes we want the Olympics, as I live in the southern USA How else can I see curling every 4 years? It's funny, I love the curling, I even record the USA matches. Don't know why.

7th May 2012, 08:48 AM	#59
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	Originally Posted by angrysoba And no more different strokes in swimming. It's cheating by the swimming nations. Get. Rid. Of. Those. Diff'rent Strokes. Would you prefer every athlete to swim whichever way he does best, or uniform stroke established? Also, is skiing a cheating by snowy nations?
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	__________________ Gamemaster: "A horde of rotting zombies is shambling toward you. The sign over the door says 'Accounting'" Last edited by Mark6; 7th May 2012 at 08:49 AM.

7th May 2012, 08:50 AM	#60
Modified Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,062	Originally Posted by Mark6 A bit off-topic: Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches. Was that before or after this happened? Men's Olympic 100m winning times: 1996 9.84 2000 9.87 2004 9.85 2008 9.69 - Oops. Certainly there will come a point where that will be true, but there are still large gains to be made. Based on studies I've read on the effect of weight training on sprinting performance, many track athletes, even top ones, are still over-trained on the track and under-trained or inappropriately trained in the weight room for optimum performance.

7th May 2012, 09:00 AM	#61
Modified Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,062	Originally Posted by Mark6 Would you prefer every athlete to swim whichever way he does best, or uniform stroke established? Also, is skiing a cheating by snowy nations? Swimming already has freestyle events, but I would like to see the technical rules removed from track events. High jump should be "get over the bar any way you can" - no requirement to jump off one foot as it is now, shot put should be "heave the shot put any way you can" - no requirement for one hand, shot held "near the neck" and no lowering the shot during the attempt, as it is now. Of course it would be disruptive to make these changes now, but I would like to see the limited-rules versions added. It would be really interesting for a while, as new techniques would be developed and radically different techniques would be in competition with each other, kind of like the early days of MMA.

7th May 2012, 09:02 AM	#62
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	Originally Posted by Modified Was that before or after this happened? Men's Olympic 100m winning times: 1996 9.84 2000 9.87 2004 9.85 2008 9.69 - Oops. Certainly there will come a point where that will be true, but there are still large gains to be made. Based on studies I've read on the effect of weight training on sprinting performance, many track athletes, even top ones, are still over-trained on the track and under-trained or inappropriately trained in the weight room for optimum performance. After. In 2011, actually.
Mark6 Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,176	__________________ Gamemaster: "A horde of rotting zombies is shambling toward you. The sign over the door says 'Accounting'"

7th May 2012, 09:12 AM	#63
Bill Thompson Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Redmond, Washington Posts: 6,176	Originally Posted by Johnny Brant The London Olympics are costing 9.3 billion GB pounds (about 13 billion US dollars), couldn't the cash be spent on better things? Do we really care if somebody can run faster than somebody else, or that somebody can throw something further? Anyway, most athletes are pumped-up freaks full of performance-enhancing drugs, making the Olympics an empty hollow charade. Am i alone in wanting the Olympics slung onto the garbage dump of history from now on and forgotten? It is filthy hog wash. What the Olympics has become, that is. My athletic supermodel Brazilian in-laws disagree. But I think sports has become something obscene. They, on the other hand, cannot get enough of it. Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams.

7th May 2012, 09:25 AM	#64
Modified Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,062	Originally Posted by Bill Thompson It is filthy hog wash. What the Olympics has become, that is. My athletic supermodel Brazilian in-laws disagree. But I think sports has become something obscene. They, on the other hand, cannot get enough of it. Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams. College football generally makes money, in some cases huge profits even when all the hidden costs are considered - not that that's necessarily a good thing.

7th May 2012, 09:54 AM	#66
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,275	Originally Posted by Mark6 A bit off-topic: Not long ago I read a fairly convincing study which claims that today's top Olympic athletes have reached the limits of what can be done with human body just through exercise and diet. Any future records will be measured in hundredths, and then (increasinly infrequent) thousandths of seconds/inches. Unless we accept the use of performance-enhancing drugs and genetic engineering. I'm going to guess that a study made in 1912 would have said the same thing.
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7th May 2012, 10:00 AM	#67
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,275	Originally Posted by Modified Swimming already has freestyle events, but I would like to see the technical rules removed from track events. High jump should be "get over the bar any way you can" - no requirement to jump off one foot as it is now, shot put should be "heave the shot put any way you can" - no requirement for one hand, shot held "near the neck" and no lowering the shot during the attempt, as it is now. Of course it would be disruptive to make these changes now, but I would like to see the limited-rules versions added. It would be really interesting for a while, as new techniques would be developed and radically different techniques would be in competition with each other, kind of like the early days of MMA. I've never understood why "style points" are factored in on ski jumping. Shouldn't it just be who can fly the farthest? You can land on your head, for all I care.
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7th May 2012, 10:02 AM	#68
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,275	Originally Posted by Bill Thompson Also, what do major American Universities spend the most money on these days? I believe it is their football teams. Yep. That's also where they make the most money (besides tuition, presumably).
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7th May 2012, 10:05 AM	#69
sarge Master Poster Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 2,337	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer I've never understood why "style points" are factored in on ski jumping. Shouldn't it just be who can fly the farthest? You can land on your head, for all I care. Actually, that would improve the viewability of ski jumping considerably. And baseball (the most boring spectator activity in history) would be much better if everyone had a bat. No need for a ball then - make it around the bases alive, score.
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7th May 2012, 10:06 AM	#70
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120	http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...five-questions This Guardian article outlines many of the issues I have with the games, not just the farcical security theatre, but the scandalous amounts of money invoved and the lack of accountability to the taxpayers who are forced into funding this.
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120

7th May 2012, 10:13 AM	#71
Akhenaten Heretic Pharaoh Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pi-Broadford, Australia Posts: 24,656	Originally Posted by mediocrity511 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...five-questions This Guardian article outlines many of the issues I have with the games, not just the farcical security theatre, but the scandalous amounts of money invoved and the lack of accountability to the taxpayers who are forced into funding this. No pics of the battleship then?
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7th May 2012, 10:19 AM	#72
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120	Originally Posted by Akhenaten No pics of the battleship then? http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...olympic-818230 There you go!
mediocrity511 Scholar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 120

7th May 2012, 10:37 AM	#73
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,275	Originally Posted by sarge Actually, that would improve the viewability of ski jumping considerably. And baseball (the most boring spectator activity in history) would be much better if everyone had a bat. No need for a ball then - make it around the bases alive, score. You're supposed to credit the source you stole this from.
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7th May 2012, 10:40 AM	#74
Akhenaten Heretic Pharaoh Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pi-Broadford, Australia Posts: 24,656	Originally Posted by mediocrity511 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...olympic-818230 There you go! I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that neither you nor the person who captioned this picture from your linked article has any idea what a battleship is. In any case, it seems to me that the opportunity afforded by the Olympics to conduct such an exercise is yet another ancillary benefit. In what way is it, per your previous description, "farcical"?
	__________________ Life is mostly Froth and Bubble - Adam Lindsay Gordon The Australasian Skeptics Forum

7th May 2012, 12:06 PM	#75
sarge Master Poster Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 2,337	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer You're supposed to credit the source you stole this from. I'm sure I'll turn out wrong, but I don't recall lifting this from anyone. Did I read it somewhere else and then forget that I'd read it - fooling myself into thinking I'd had an original idea?
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7th May 2012, 12:10 PM	#76
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,275	Originally Posted by sarge I'm sure I'll turn out wrong, but I don't recall lifting this from anyone. Did I read it somewhere else and then forget that I'd read it - fooling myself into thinking I'd had an original idea? IIRC, it's from George Carlin.
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7th May 2012, 05:37 PM	#77
Jarlaxle Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New England Posts: 452	Originally Posted by Elizabeth I I will say that since they let the pros in I don't have much interest in the Olympics any more. That! I was very happy to see than Chicago didn't get the Olympics. In fact, I fervently hope there is NEVER another Olympics in the US.

7th May 2012, 07:02 PM	#78
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,002	Originally Posted by nvidiot I also highly recommend watching "The Games". I'll try to find an excerpt later. The best part of "The Games" was that it was being written while the games were actually going on. So when a busload of American archers got lost, that became part of the show.
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