Olympic Sports
I was looking at all the different sports on-line yesterday, and I know the more popular ones which are in the Olympics: Basketball, baseball, gymnastics, swimming (Michael Phelps to be precise since he is the sport to many Americans), and beach volleyball. I saw the sport of shooting, and my first thought was “Americans should kick ass in the sport!” Team USA isn’t doing bad, but they’re not kicking ass and I don’t understand why? America has more guns per person than probably any developed nation, and with a high populations of hunters and rednecks, we should be kicking some serious tail. If all else fails, we have the urban gangs. I know aiming isn’t one of their strong suits, but I’m sure there has got to be a diamond in the rough out there somewhere.
Also, I was talking with April the other day and was wondering if there are any sports that are not in the Olympics but should be. For example, should Golf or Bowling or maybe even Billards be included? I know they’re popular in America, but are they popular in enough countries to be included? Any thoughts about this out there?
You’re right, we should be able to win shooting competitions, but it’s probably illegal for them to own a gun to practice with.
Maybe if the target was in the shape of a deer and you could have a Bud in your other hand?
Golf used to be an Olympic sport but cut out at some point - probably because it’s boring as hell.
Beach volleyball, for obvious reasons, rocks!
Golf is very popular game world wide, most of the tournaments and cups are held in the American, Britain, and Europe. Golf was once in the Olympics, the last time in was played in the Olympics was the 1904. There have been people wanting Golf back in the Olympics but there are several argument that people give for it not needing to be in the Olympics. The number one reason is the Olympic Officials are not willing to have Golf in the Olympics unless they can get the top players – like Tiger Woods. Most Golf Pros are not willing to take the time out of the season to play a golf tournament that they are not getting paid for. Plus there are many tournaments world wide that some people think it is not needed for it in the Olympics.
Tom - I only know this because I saw some stat in a magazine just today, but in the 1920 Olympics, they had the “100 m running deer” shooting event. I was trying to think of something funny to add to this, but I couldn’t.
Chris - Beach Volleyball does rock!
JD - Sure doesn’t seem to bother Tennis players much.
The running deer competition, too funny. Did it say which country won that one?
I think you just stumbled upon a way to get urban kids out of gangs. Let them join a rifle team. This could result in more interest in shooting as a sport and a better US team. I’m also imagining a lot of negative consequences to arming known criminals though. Maybe boxing, gymnastics, or table tennis would be safer options.
I’ve been visiting the Olympics websites looking for info on when the boxing matches will air and they don’t appear that they will be. Grumble. Sucks when one is only really interested in the marginalized sports. I turned on the Olympics on Friday and they promised trampoline finals, but didn’t deliver. I like to watch the weird sports.
Tom - Check out this wiki (you might have to cut and past the link):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_at_the_1920_Summer_Olympics_-_Men%27s_100_metre_running_deer,_double_shots
DeAnna - I completely understand. I like the Judo and, most of all, the Taekwondo events. None shown on prime time NBC. I have to get my dose through NBCOlympics.com, but I have to cheat and use the lab computer because it doesn’t play on my old G4 (you need an Intel processor)