Olympics 2008 - Page 15

lizziebith · 08-10-2008, 10:23 AM

We posted at almost the same time, so I think you didn't see my answer. [edit I see you did

] But since I see you've ridden a horse at a gallop I'll try to elaborate: while on that horse you were probably using your leg muscles to stay on right? Gripping the animal? In dressage you can't do that as every move of your body is a cue to the animal. The rider essentially balances on the animal, and uses their muscles to control his movements -- like lead changes (which forefoot is placed down first). It's very difficult and counter-intuitive when one is on a massive cantering animal. I've ridden a great deal and can't do dressage. I think Boss Radio's wife can though...

BarTopDancer · 08-10-2008, 10:19 AM

I wonder what will happen to the Chinese athletes who "bring dishonor to their country" by not receiving a gold medal.

scaeagles · 08-10-2008, 10:22 AM

Did you read the earlier post where I said

Quote:

I've ridden horses. When the horse is galloping, there is some effort involved. When the horse is walking, not too much is involved that requries physical effort.

Have you been involved with precision riding?

All I did was ask a question, and even said I'd take the word of the person who said it is indeed a sport.

blueerica · 08-10-2008, 10:23 AM

I am enjoying the new round of commercials (though admittedly I've DVR'd right past many). I caught some beautiful animation and realized it "Rhapsody in Blue"... one of my favorite tunes, and... the old United theme which I haven't heard in what seems like forever. As a marketer, I'm glad to see them repositioning themselves to where they were in an economic heyday.

Back on topic... loving the Olympics. We've been absolutely glued to our sets. Watching it during the day - setting the sleep timer and falling asleep to it at night.

Thank you, Olympics.

scaeagles · 08-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Interesting. OK.

I still don't think I could get into watching it, but I have a better understanding of it now.

lizziebith · 08-10-2008, 10:29 AM

I was just about to add pretty much the same point Alex.

Alex · 08-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Well, a lot depends on how you define athleticism. And whether athleticism and sport are synonymous or just frequently go hand in hand.

And yes, it is all very muddy. I don't really consider gymnastics a sport but it is certainly athletic. The target shooting competitions essentially involve the ability to not move at all, the opposite of athleticism and are still widely accepted as sport.

As far as athleticism goes I'd put dressage much closer to gymastics in athleticism than shooting.

scaeagles · 08-10-2008, 10:33 AM

Agreed. I hadn't even considered shooting, which indeed isn't very athletic. At least that can be quantified by closest to the middle of the target methodology.

I admit a bias against Olympic events that are scored by judges.

Alex · 08-10-2008, 10:36 AM

I have that same bias as well (against subjectively judged events) and among the horse events dressage is my least favorite while the others are scored by mostly objective measures of time and penalties.

I was watching boxing for about 15 minutes last night and was amazed at just how subjective the judging has become. The commentators were quite openly disgusted with it.

blueerica · 08-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I was watching boxing for about 15 minutes last night and was amazed at just how subjective the judging has become. The commentators were quite openly disgusted with it.

A fair number of hits that weren't counted as 'clean' seemed pretty damn clean to me. I need to look into it further, but if what I'm understanding is correct, all judges have half a second to all hit the button for a hit to be considered valid. One or two judges falling asleep at the switch could turn the tide. Caught a bit of a Brazil v Haiti fight, and they didn't give the Haitian points until almost the end, and punch after punch from him early on that went untallied indicated (to me) that he should have won the fight at the end of the day.

I'm wondering if there will be any challenges to this increasingly subjective style of judging.

08-10-2008, 10:23 AM	#1
lizziebith Wishing these titles could be longe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pearblossom CA Posts: 984	We posted at almost the same time, so I think you didn't see my answer. [edit I see you did ] But since I see you've ridden a horse at a gallop I'll try to elaborate: while on that horse you were probably using your leg muscles to stay on right? Gripping the animal? In dressage you can't do that as every move of your body is a cue to the animal. The rider essentially balances on the animal, and uses their muscles to control his movements -- like lead changes (which forefoot is placed down first). It's very difficult and counter-intuitive when one is on a massive cantering animal. I've ridden a great deal and can't do dressage. I think Boss Radio's wife can though... __________________ $ DO \|\| !$ DO ; TRY TRY: COMMAND NOT FOUND
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08-10-2008, 10:19 AM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I wonder what will happen to the Chinese athletes who "bring dishonor to their country" by not receiving a gold medal. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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08-10-2008, 10:23 AM	#4
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	I am enjoying the new round of commercials (though admittedly I've DVR'd right past many). I caught some beautiful animation and realized it "Rhapsody in Blue"... one of my favorite tunes, and... the old United theme which I haven't heard in what seems like forever. As a marketer, I'm glad to see them repositioning themselves to where they were in an economic heyday. Back on topic... loving the Olympics. We've been absolutely glued to our sets. Watching it during the day - setting the sleep timer and falling asleep to it at night. Thank you, Olympics. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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08-10-2008, 10:27 AM	#5
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Interesting. OK. I still don't think I could get into watching it, but I have a better understanding of it now.
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08-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#6
lizziebith Wishing these titles could be longe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pearblossom CA Posts: 984	I was just about to add pretty much the same point Alex. __________________ $ DO \|\| !$ DO ; TRY TRY: COMMAND NOT FOUND
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08-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Well, a lot depends on how you define athleticism. And whether athleticism and sport are synonymous or just frequently go hand in hand. And yes, it is all very muddy. I don't really consider gymnastics a sport but it is certainly athletic. The target shooting competitions essentially involve the ability to not move at all, the opposite of athleticism and are still widely accepted as sport. As far as athleticism goes I'd put dressage much closer to gymastics in athleticism than shooting.
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08-10-2008, 10:33 AM	#8
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Agreed. I hadn't even considered shooting, which indeed isn't very athletic. At least that can be quantified by closest to the middle of the target methodology. I admit a bias against Olympic events that are scored by judges.
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08-10-2008, 10:36 AM	#9
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I have that same bias as well (against subjectively judged events) and among the horse events dressage is my least favorite while the others are scored by mostly objective measures of time and penalties. I was watching boxing for about 15 minutes last night and was amazed at just how subjective the judging has become. The commentators were quite openly disgusted with it.
	Submit to Quotes