Anyone give a shit about the Olympics?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-08-17 11:46pm

Is it just me or does it seem like the Olympics should be a big deal but I'm hard pressed to give a shit? I mean really, I could care less and I find a lot of it totally boring. And the pervasive coverage annoys the hell out of me.

I don't know but I think the new alternating system of summer and winter only cheapens it by making it less of a special event.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2004-08-17 11:47pm

One of the swimmers is from my college, so I kind of cared about that.

But not really.

LapsedPacifist · Post by **LapsedPacifist** » 2004-08-17 11:49pm

The hype around them seems to get in the way of what should be the ultimate reward of people who work all their lives for some b-string sport. But maybe I'm just bitter about the Phelps thing.

LP

Ma Deuce · Post by **Ma Deuce** » 2004-08-17 11:53pm

I havn't cared for years, and I don't bother watching any of the coverage. I just count the medals when it's over, and even then it's just out of curiosity: I don't really care who won what...

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-08-17 11:55pm

I don't give a shit either. I blame a few things:

Pre-taped coverage. Nothing kills the excitement of a sports event faster than knowing that you could just amble over to the computer and look up the results.
NBC's ratings-grabbing but bad precedent-setting coverage of the last Olympics in which they went for a "soap-opera" approach. That built viewer interest in some demographics, but it also left a lot of viewers with the sense that the Olympics was becoming diluted.
The steady incursion of bullshit sports into the Olympics. When I turned on the TV during the last Olympics and saw fucking ballroom dancing as an Olympic event, I knew that was the last straw. It dilutes the very concept of the Olympics, and the fact that the "judged" sports are now front-and-centre is only exacerbating the situation.
The feeling that national pride is weak right now. Oh, you can deny it, and I'm sure many will, but I don't get the general feeling that people are really gung-ho about nationalism right now, either in Canada or the US.

When I see powerlifting being taped and broadcast at 2 in the morning in order to make room for little girls' pseudo-gymnastic dance contests, I realize that the Olympics has become International Idol and I tune out.

BlkbrryTheGreat · Post by **BlkbrryTheGreat** » 2004-08-17 11:59pm

To quote Gone with the Wind, "Quite frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2004-08-18 12:03am

In their effort to cash in on every concievable penny, they have drained any and all fun out of the Olympics.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2004-08-18 12:05am

I cared about the 200 Olympics, since I was 16 and mostly just watched for the Women's Gymnastics. I'd watch them again, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Those Russian girls are always winners to me.

President Sharky · Post by **President Sharky** » 2004-08-18 12:06am

I've never cared about the Summer Olympics, most events really bore me, and Canada's team is always brutal throughout them. I pay more attention to the Winter games, however, as I find speed skating, down-hill skiing, hockey, and bobsledding much more interesting than gymnastics, swimming, baseball, etc...

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2004-08-18 12:07am

Last time I seriously watched in was in '97. Since then I havn't given a weiner about it. Lots of people I know feel the same way~

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2004-08-18 12:07am

Consarn it, what happened to my 3rd zero?

*Mumble mumble, watermelon watermelon...*

Post by **Cairber** » 2004-08-18 12:10am

Ive actually been watching them every night. Im a little disappointed with the NBC coverage (those "every athlete has a sob story" mini-drama thinggys are getting to me) but the games have been great so far.

And Red..you looking for whip outs...did u see the chinese girl on the uneven bars??? face plant!

SpacedTeddyBear · Post by **SpacedTeddyBear** » 2004-08-18 12:11am

The only thing I really give a damn about in the Olympics is track and field.

The steady incursion of bullshit sports into the Olympics. When I turned on the TV during the last Olympics and saw fucking ballroom dancing as an Olympic event, I knew that was the last straw. It dilutes the very concept of the Olympics, and the fact that the "judged" sports are now front-and-centre is only exacerbating the situation.

Seriously. Given that the theme of the Olympics is that it is returning to it's ancestrial home, that they should concentrate the coverage on the events that still carries over from the ancient times.

Speaking of bullshit sports; Since when did synchronized diving become part of the summer olympics? And when did Curling become part of the winter olympics?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-08-18 12:12am

No; I bet that only 35-40 percent - if that - of the TV time devoted to the Olympics is actual coverage of events - the rest is stupid fluff bullshit like Mike said and commercials. And of that, only 10-20 percent of the sports that are covered I actually find interesting. So the whole thing is just a waste as far as I'm concerned.

Iceberg · Post by **Iceberg** » 2004-08-18 12:12am

Darth Wong wrote:The fact that the "judged" sports are now front-and-centre is only exacerbating the situation.

What, you're only catching onto that NOW? Where have you been for oh the last... um... at least FIVE Olympiads where women's gymnastics (summer) and figure skating (winter) were headline events?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-08-18 12:12am

SpacedTeddyBear wrote:The only thing I really give a damn about in the Olympics is track and field.

The steady incursion of bullshit sports into the Olympics. When I turned on the TV during the last Olympics and saw fucking ballroom dancing as an Olympic event, I knew that was the last straw. It dilutes the very concept of the Olympics, and the fact that the "judged" sports are now front-and-centre is only exacerbating the situation.
Seriously. Given that the theme of the Olympics is that it is returning to it's ancestrial home, that they should concentrate the coverage on the events that still carries over from the ancient times. ]

Which is made all the more ironic in that they're not. But hey, Athens, Olympia, it's all over there.

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-08-18 12:13am

I watch the track and field events. The rest is boring.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-08-18 12:14am

Iceberg wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:The fact that the "judged" sports are now front-and-centre is only exacerbating the situation.
What, you're only catching onto that NOW? Where have you been for oh the last... um... at least FIVE Olympiads where women's gymnastics (summer) and figure skating (winter) were headline events?

It's been getting worse. Not only is the news coverage dominated by soap-opera fluff as I mentioned before, but they keep adding more sports. It was bad enough when figure-skating was a headliner event, but then they went and added ice dancing.

Lt. Dan · Post by **Lt. Dan** » 2004-08-18 12:15am

I like a few things. Of course track and field. But I like some gymnastics and swimming. But others I don't watch or even know about, like that whole ballroom danceing, I didn't even know about. I like the volleyball too, just because my sister played and got me interested.

Dennis Toy · Post by **Dennis Toy** » 2004-08-18 12:17am

havent really gave a damn shit since 1992.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2004-08-18 12:19am

I occasionaly look in the papers to see who won what, but I couldn't care less about the TV coverage. I really don't watch sporting events since I can just look at the results online or in a newspaper the morning after, and the Olympics are no exception.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-08-18 12:20am

Ice dancing? What the fuck is that?

Post by **Cairber** » 2004-08-18 12:21am

equestrian events are really neat to watch but I think a lot of people would argue thats not a sport...unless youve done it before. I was a rider for 4 years and I can tell you its a lot of work. When you first start, it is really the horse doing everything, but when you get deeper into the sport and into jumping it becomes a strength and control sport. But also one that needs a strong bond, you can train all you want, but you will never comand your horse to take only one step between near gates if youve never rode that horse before.

As far as ballroom dancing goes, I know its what my grandparents do to stay in shape now that they really cant go running 3 miles. They swear its great...but, then again, they are nearly 70.

Post by **Cairber** » 2004-08-18 12:22am

Joe wrote:Ice dancing? What the fuck is that?

Theres ski dancing now in the winter olympics. Im not kidding, they dance on skiis and get graded.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-08-18 12:24am

Cairber wrote: As far as ballroom dancing goes, I know its what my grandparents do to stay in shape now that they really cant go running 3 miles. They swear its great...but, then again, they are nearly 70.

It might be a work out for geriatrics, but a worthwhile 'sport' it isn't. It's not even a psuedo-sport for fuck's sake.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Anyone give a shit about the Olympics?

Anyone else profoundly apathetic?

Anyone give a shit about the Olympics?