Most ridiculous Olympic events?

[zaphod]

Aah, the Olympics... great stuff. If it weren't for those few utterly stupid events that just take away air time from the really cool competitions. What's on top of your hate list?

My top three:

1st (by a huge margin): Synchronised Swimming
Probably the most idiotic 'sport' ever invented (with midget-tossing a distant second, but that, sadly, is not an Olympic event ). Sticking those legs out of the water and waving them about is bad enough, but the worst part is the stupid grins the contestants seem compelled to wear. If it were up to me, I'd let loose some starved tiger sharks in those pools and really have some fun!

2nd: Beach Volleyball
OK, this is not a stupid sport per se, it looks to be fun. But did they have to turn this into a serious, professional affair? This is a fun sport meant to be played on a real beach by guys half-tanked on beer and chicks in skimpy bikinis, not by grim-faced professionals in specially-prepared sandboxes. Disgusting to watch.

3rd: Softball
What is Softball anyway? Baseball for people too weak to throw a real baseball? Ridiculous.


Rant away!

[Liqwid]

Even bars. Even bars is the most stupid sport I've seen.

Beach Volleyball, on the other hand, deserves being in the Olympics. Try playing 2v2 volleyball. It's a lot of hard work.

Women/Girls play softball, Zaphod. Men play baseball. Keeping things on both sides keeps the feminists at bay.

[mcblob]

archery I would have to say, its basically a larger dart, propelled by a bow.

I don't see how archery is a sport anyway

[BigSlade]

What about badminton, table tennis or some of the shooting events? Or canoeing/kayaking? I'm not downplaying any of those events, but come on, do they deserve to be in the olympics?

[zombiequest]

Agreed... on one of the 3 channels I came accross Badmiton and I was shocked at how SLOW it was... if there's a "Strategy" to it you basically have ALL DAY to return the bastard... it's not like your gonna put it anywhere the opponent can't return it, it's the ones that hit it out accidentally or dont get it over the net that lose. Friggin' unreal... tell these people to pick up a ping pong paddle or tennis racket! If Badmiton can be an Olympic Event then so should Electronic Battleship and Bingo.

[dannyschmanny]

Originally Posted by zaphod

3rd: Softball
What is Softball anyway? Baseball for people too weak to throw a real baseball? Ridiculous.

actually softballs are made from the same amount of string inside, just not wound as tiightly. and it's actually as tough or tougher to hit a softball than a baseball. those ladies are dealing with the equal to low to high 90's pitches, but with the pitcher closer they have a shorter time to judge the ball. and i still remember (and im sure you can find the videos on you tube) of that pitcher jennie finch that used to host that baseball show every saturday morning and they would show major league batter's taking the "jennie challenge" and she would smoke them.

[nelll]

There is something called The History of the Olympics. A good site to learn more about stupid sports is Wiki.

Let me guess? The winter olympics are better right? Oh!!! wait a sec. The best sport in the world is the American Football following the NBA and the MLB. The best Soda is Coca-Cola and the most beautiful statute is located in NY.

All am wondering if any of you guys can master, Beach Volleyball, Synchronised Swimming or Softball.

[nelll]

Originally Posted by zombiequest

Agreed... on one of the 3 channels I came accross Badmiton and I was shocked at how SLOW it was... if there's a "Strategy" to it you basically have ALL DAY to return the bastard... it's not like your gonna put it anywhere the opponent can't return it, it's the ones that hit it out accidentally or dont get it over the net that lose. Friggin' unreal... tell these people to pick up a ping pong paddle or tennis racket! If Badmiton can be an Olympic Event then so should Electronic Battleship and Bingo.

You might think it's easy but try it first (the right way) I rather play bingo (you right about that point).

[Snadinator]

I'm pissed that Powerlifting isn't an olympic event.

[zaphod]

Originally Posted by zombiequest

Agreed... on one of the 3 channels I came accross Badmiton and I was shocked at how SLOW it was... if there's a "Strategy" to it you basically have ALL DAY to return the bastard... it's not like your gonna put it anywhere the opponent can't return it, it's the ones that hit it out accidentally or dont get it over the net that lose. Friggin' unreal... tell these people to pick up a ping pong paddle or tennis racket! If Badmiton can be an Olympic Event then so should Electronic Battleship and Bingo.

You've got to be kidding. Badminton is one of the most athletic sports out there. Try playing real Badminton - not the kind of stuff you play with your kid at the beach - and see if you don't collapse in a whimpering heap after five minutes. It's pure hell on leg muscles and knees too. And Badminton players have incredible reactions, it's fascinating.

Originally Posted by nell

All am wondering if any of you guys can master, Beach Volleyball, Synchronised Swimming or Softball.

Who in his right mind would want to?
OK, I might have been a little hard on softball there. But why is it an Olympic event and Baseball isn't?

Originally Posted by mcblob

archery I would have to say, its basically a larger dart, propelled by a bow.

I don't see how archery is a sport anyway.

OK, YOU go up to a bunch of guys armed with bows and tell 'em that!

[zaphod]

Originally Posted by nelll

There is something called The History of the Olympics. A good site to learn more about stupid sports is Wiki.

Let me guess? The winter olympics are better right? Oh!!! wait a sec. The best sport in the world is the American Football following the NBA and the MLB. The best Soda is Coca-Cola and the most beautiful statute is located in NY.

I honestly don't understand what you're saying here. Maybe you missed the fact that I'm not from the US?

And no, the winter Olympics are not better, they have figure skating and in skiing we mostly lose to the bleedin' Austrians.

[Liqwid]

Originally Posted by zaphod

Who in his right mind would want to?
OK, I might have been a little hard on softball there. But why is it an Olympic event and Baseball isn't?

You should try some beach volleyball. It's really fun.

[zaphod]

Originally Posted by Liqwid

You should try some beach volleyball. It's really fun.

I don't doubt that at all. As I explained in my original post, I'm sure the sport is fine, it's the professional setting that I find ridiculous. This is a classic example of a purely fun sport that should be played at a real beach. It's just so stupid.. when they have tournaments here they cart in tons of sand to create a fake beach, play in the rain (very likely) and when the tournament's over they cart off the whole mess again. Let fun sports remain fun sports is all I'm sayin'.

[zombiequest]

Anytime I hear about Sychronized Swimming I picture Martin Short... "I'm not that... Good a swimmer.."

http://video.google.com/videosearch?...8&sa=N&tab=wv#

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by zaphod

2nd: Beach Volleyball
OK, this is not a stupid sport per se, it looks to be fun. But did they have to turn this into a serious, professional affair? This is a fun sport meant to be played on a real beach by guys half-tanked on beer and chicks in skimpy bikinis, not by grim-faced professionals in specially-prepared sandboxes. Disgusting to watch.

Well ........