Olympic musings...

[indikarr]

Given the recent drama in the Olympic games with the age of the chinese women's gymnasts, the air-quality debate, the equestrian quarrantine issues and such I wanted to get some input from you guys as to your thoughts on the olympics

Comments

[abernathylekarr]

In order

[chemical_laser]

1) Yes, I think team events are fine. Especially the ones where the USA kicks so much ass. As far as the original olympics go, didn't they include relay races? Isn't that a team event?

2) The Georgians should stay. Keep the politics out of it.

3) I have no idea what you are talking about with the quarrantines.

4) Auto racing events would not be a good idea - that's more about technology (imo) than athletic ability.

5) I have to wonder about the thing with the age cheating. Srsly, did the US gymnastics team get beat by a bunch of 13 year olds?

6) I've been watching late at night whilst feeding Mia.

my $0.02

[adryth]

1) Personally I think team sports are less interesting than individual competition, but since there apparently are enough people interested in watching olympic team sports, I see no reason to preclude them.

2) I can think of no reason why they should.

3) I also find horse races and other events directly involving the skill / abilities of animals to be less interesting. I'd prefer to see forms of competition which directly measure an individual person's abilities against others. But, again, that's my preference... if enough people want to watch horse racing, there's no reason to deny them.

4) See #3 above. ^_^

5) On one hand, I'd say that if a particular person is sufficiently skilled as to be qualified to compete, age should be no object. On the other hand, pressuring youth to win for their country is tantamount to exploitation. So I suppose I'd say that young athletes should be allowed to compete if they themselves want to, but should never be coerced into it.

6) Not really. ^^;