Winter Olympics 2010

[Moonliner]

I passed on the Olympics last night to watch The Gumball Rally with Moonie Jr. I can't understand why that movie is not on more peoples 10 best movies of all times list.

[blueerica]

That's definitely one of my household's top movies.

[cirquelover]

I think it's stupid that golf is going to be an Olympic sport.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Hmm, regarding the "sport" debate, it is called the Olympic Games, so perhaps anything people dabble in can be considered? The Games could include chess or blackjack or pin the tail on the donkey...

</devil's advocate>

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I think it's stupid that golf is going to be an Olympic sport.

Not being a golf fan, I've always wondered why it wasn't. It certainly seems to have a lot going for it. A long history, Large international following, TV friendly....

[Ghoulish Delight]

Like I said, I see the validity of calling ice dancing a sport. But it's still a sport in a category that a) doesn't interest me and b) doesn't fit with my perception of Olympics. Yes, it involves physical prowess and technical skill, but in my opinion ice dancing (and rhythmic gymnastics, and synchronized swimming, and dressage, and even to some degree portions of gymnastics like floor routine) are too much about artistic and aesthetic components to fit the theme of athletic competition.

And honestly, in the long run, I think it hurts aesthetic sports/competitions to be included in the Olympics. At that level, the pressure of ensuring fair judging is huge. As a result, the artistry and subjectivity has to be regulated out. And what you end up with is gymnastic floor routines (and balance beam routines) with creepy antiseptic "dance" moves that are judged on their technical qualities. Gone from gymnastics is any sort of artistry or aesthetic. Figure skating is headed in that direction. It's a shame, but it's the inevitable result of the scrutiny an artistic discipline receives on the Olympic stage.

[Kevy Baby]

Personally, I think all events should use the same uniforms as the original Olympics.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Hmm, regarding the "sport" debate, it is called the Olympic Games, so perhaps anything people dabble in can be considered? The Games could include chess or blackjack or pin the tail on the donkey...

</devil's advocate>

So the Gay Games would include drag acts and quoting old movies?

The other thing that bothers me about some of these dancy sports is that I can't help thinking they're stocked with people who were not good enough to compete in the regular activity, so someone indulgent invented something else for them to do. Arguably, decathlon is open to the same criticism, but I think there is a virtue in being able to do a lot of athletic things well. There is no virtue to any of the rhythmic gymnastics skills.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Prior to these games, I had never heard the term "First Nations" to describe what we (in the States) call Native Americans. Is First Nations a Canadian thing or am I just out of it?

Yeah, they started using it during broadcasts because some people had an issue with the more common, "Dem dhere Injuns, eh."

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

So the Gay Games would include drag acts and quoting old movies?

Finally a sport I could medal in!