Okay, so you could still get some push off the deck if you had to, but you'd still have to swim and tread water. Cool.
So far I have watched mostly basketball, but I watched a little: Archery Judo Boxing Cycling Handball Volleyball So far I've enjoyed watching a little here and there. I want to watch some wresling and Tae Kwon Do, track, and diving and maybe more.
It seems most of the good events (translate, ones that interest me) are on when I'm not able to watch. I also watch things I don't normally (diving, gymnastics, track and field among others) but honestly rowing bored me. And while I've been to live soccer games and found them exciting, on TV it seems dull. Maybe I'm not knowledgeable enough to appreciate the fine points. Archery was sort of cool. Still peeved they eliminated baseball and softball. And while I understand the skill in swimming just watching is a tad dull, probably because it's hard to really see well, unlike in track where you can really see them run. Also have to say I'm pretty focused on the utterly improbable Oakland A's who won in 15 innings last night, er, this morning.
I think swimming is exciting when there's something on the line. There's just so many heats and semis and such. They really don't need to televise half the swimming that makes it on the TV. One question I have is about kayaking... when did they add that? I've never seen kayaking before, and it feels like they're trying to compete with the x games. It's kind of cool that they build a fake rapids course, but it's probably one of the most boring events I've watched so far. Also, I'm finding that the events that are scored by judges seem really biased. That's why I've always liked sports like basketball, football, or even volleyball because for the most part it's based on player scoring and the refs are not the only source of points.
I agree about some of the swimming heats. I think everything from the semi's on are pretty exciting. It's crazy how much ground some of them can make up in the last 50m. I don't know how anyone could watch our relay (or Phelps winning by .01 seconds) from the last Olympics and not find it exciting. As for kayaking, apparently the Slalom (I think this is the man made course) has been around since 1992 and the distance races since the 30's. I've never watched more than a few seconds of it, so I can't say if I liked it or not. I don't know if I could watch the distance races now that I think about it. I can appreciate crew, but watch 1KM of Canoe riding sounds horribly boring to watch.
I think the popularity of the olympics is that they cut right to the chase really quickly. you don't have to watch all the bullshit associated with following a sport for a long time. basically its like if you just played the last 2 minutes of game 7 of the NBA finals on TV, of course it will be "exciting" and you'll be "a fan".
I get the feeling you're one of those people who doesn't like things because they're mainstream and everyone else likes them.
So you don't believe what he said? I think it's spot on. Casual NFL fans who don't follow a team might watch the conference championships and the Super Bowl. Casual college football fans watch the big bowl games. March Madness. NBA Finals. Stanley Cup. World Series.
A lot of these sporting events in the Olympics are hard to identify with. But what I identify with and why I like the olympics is I'm watching athletes who have devoted their life to that one particular sport and have become the best in the country. And the part I really enjoy is they do it out of passion for the sport, not for the money. Most althletes have invested time and money they know they aren't going to get back. But they have found a passion and risen to the top. I have a real respect for all the countless and thankless hours they and their parents have committed to reach this point.
No, I don't believe what he said. I think the reason why people follow the Olympics is because it's one of the few times where people are proud of their country, support their country, and root for their country. It's only once every four years that it happens. People watch the superbowl for the commercials, or the halftime show... or just to get drunk with their friends. I think most non-basketball fans don't give a shit about the NBA Finals, or Stanley Cup, or the World Series. I don't watch hockey or baseball and I would consider myself to be an above-average sports fan. The Olympics, on the other hand, will bring in people who don't watch any pro sports. My fiancee is a good example She doesn't give a shit about the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL.... but she loves the Olympics. She watches the gymnastics, she watches the swimming, and the diving, among other things. The Olympics are in a whole other category.
yeah. Because olympics skip the actual sport and work getting there and fast forward to the championship moments. {Poasted via palm pilot}
