Olympics - Interested or not ?

[Yellow Fever 3,303]

I was talking to one of my Japanese colleagues Friday - just before the start of the opening ceremony. 

They were really not interested (to put it mildly) and I must admit apart from the odd event neither am I. Wall to wall TV - No thanks.

Any thoughts?

[It's Character Forming 1,102]

Yeah, not that bothered. Although I’m often like that at the start of the Olympics and may get interested later. Early on there are so many events that I just have zero interest in. 

[Herman 8,965]

Same as ICF. Once the medals start rolling in my interest piques.

[Midlands Yellow 3,513]

No. 

[Creative Midfielder 1,926]

No, not at all.

[kirku 1,326]

I'm usually only very mildly/casually interested in the Olympics but this time round it's absolutely zero for me.

I do enjoy, at least in normal times, how people every four years suddenly become experts on the finer points of pole vaulting and horse dancing. Very entertaining.

[Ken Hairy 3,253]

Love the Olympics, although this one is a tad weird with the time difference meaning not being able to watch much live. 

Love all the minority sports (that I'll forget all about for 4 years.... Well 3 this time), but I've really got to question the inclusion of Skateboarding, not particularly because of the argument about it being a sport, but from what I've just seen they're all kids who a little bit pants at it, unless of course the aim is to continuously land on your backside? 

[Capt. Pants 3,537]

2 hours ago, Ken Hairy said:

Love the Olympics, although this one is a tad weird with the time difference meaning not being able to watch much live. 

Love all the minority sports (that I'll forget all about for 4 years.... Well 3 this time), but I've really got to question the inclusion of Skateboarding, not particularly because of the argument about it being a sport, but from what I've just seen they're all kids who a little bit pants at it, unless of course the aim is to continuously land on your backside? 

Fantastic advert for Apple ear buds, whatever they are called. How the hell to they stay in?

I'll watch some of the Olympics but not sports I have zero interest in, I like to watch sport at the highest level and you don't get better than this. Makes a pleasant change from football. Great to see USA beaten at basketball!

Great day today with 3 golds. Real standout personal achievements.

[KiwiScot 1,265]

It's a tricky thing the Olympics and unless you're an avid follower it's a case of dipping in and out and seeing what is on. As said the time difference is difficult, but also following a schedule of what's on when it not as simple with so many events. It's guaranteed you'll see something that of passing interest at least though. Just watched some Archery, Rugby Sevens, Boxing. Was enjoying the cycling road race the other day.

Another thing to mention is TV rights as all European TV rights have been sold to Discovery for this Olympics and the ones in 2022,2024. You might not notice any difference watching on TV, but the BBC are restricted to only being able to show 2 live events at a time so they cannot stream on iplayer coverage of any individual sport you might want to watch. Shame as I like to watch some fencing and it's rare to find it covered as British players don't usual get any success in that sport.

On a another note. Naomi Osaka out in straight sets to the world No 42. Deary me.

[Bill 1,788]

8 minutes ago, KiwiScot said:

It's a tricky thing the Olympics and unless you're an avid follower it's a case of dipping in and out and seeing what is on. As said the time difference is difficult, but also following a schedule of what's on when it not as simple with so many events. It's guaranteed you'll see something that of passing interest at least though. Just watched some Archery, Rugby Sevens, Boxing. Was enjoying the cycling road race the other day.

Another thing to mention is TV rights as all European TV rights have been sold to Discovery for this Olympics and the ones in 2022,2024. You might not notice any difference watching on TV, but the BBC are restricted to only being able to show 2 live events at a time so they cannot stream on iplayer coverage of any individual sport you might want to watch. Shame as I like to watch some fencing and it's rare to find it covered as British players don't usual get any success in that sport.

On a another note. Naomi Osaka out in straight sets to the world No 42. Deary me.

which has sent the Daily Mail off on another of its anti BBC rants....lack of coverage !

[Herman 8,965]

This is the best bit as it really annoys the Australians.

[FenwayFrank 2,316]

Anyone watch the speed wall climbing ? Wow. Love the track cycling too

[horsefly 4,054]

On 27/07/2021 at 10:46, Bill said:

which has sent the Daily Mail off on another of its anti BBC rants....lack of coverage !

Yep! The very paper that wants to defund the BBC says the BBC didn't bid enough for the Olympics. You couldn't make it up!

[KiwiScot 1,265]

1 hour ago, FenwayFrank said:

Anyone watch the speed wall climbing ? Wow. Love the track cycling too

I caught a couple of races. One women sped up the wall so fast then slipped on the last foothold and lost.

[nevermind, neoliberalism has had it 155]

love to see athletes that are engaged enough to fund their own participation in this Olympic idea. I hate the sponsorship and commercialization of it.

It is the athletes that have trained hard to be there, they are winning the accolade after having checked themselves in a contest with other hard trained athletes.

I detest the politicization of athletes actions and the exploitation for political bitching thereafter, using athletes who play ball with our bile. The continuous tub thumping and addiction to league tables is detestable.

[Nuff Said 4,472]

4 hours ago, FenwayFrank said:

Anyone watch the speed wall climbing ? Wow. Love the track cycling too

This! I’ve been putting highlights on while exercising and I couldn’t tear myself away from it! They go up the wall like Spider-Man, amazing. It’s hard not to believe the ropes - to catch them in case they fall - are actually pulling them up.

That’s what I like about the Olympics, you’ll catch sight of something obscure and get blindsided by it. Although the big events are compelling too. If I had the time I suspect I would be watching for hours every day.
 

And if you occasionally take the time to reflect on the time and effort - literally every day, for years - not just from the competitors, but also their families and the supporting team around them, it is humbling. 

Events I’ve enjoyed: speed climbing, sailing, hockey and boxing. Synchronised diving and “artistic” duet swimming (the sport formally known as synchronised swimming, but with two swimmers) too, I didn’t even know it was a thing, but weirdly compelling, for a few minutes at least. And men’s ring (not sure that’s quite the right name??) in gymnastics, no idea how they even get up there, let alone hold those positions.

 

Events that left me cold: anything with horses, water polo, baseball.

[FenwayFrank 2,316]

Pretty much agree with that apart from baseball  I’m currently watching a form of karate where a single person is fighting an imaginary friend

[Nuff Said 4,472]

Oh, and fencing (sorry @KiwiScot). WTF is that about? They just appear to throw themselves at each other, a buzzer goes off and one of them seems to randomly get a point. I was expecting some Errol Flynn/Flashing Blade-type duelling.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Nuff Said

[FenwayFrank 2,316]

1 hour ago, Nuff Said said:

This! I’ve been putting highlights on while exercising and I couldn’t tear myself away from it! They go up the wall like Spider-Man, amazing. It’s hard not to believe the ropes - to catch them in case they fall - are actually pulling them up.

Nuts isn’t it ? A British female rock climber said she’s got a “ finger strengthening coach”

[Nuff Said 4,472]

1 hour ago, FenwayFrank said:

Nuts isn’t it ? A British female rock climber said she’s got a “ finger strengthening coach”

I’m not shaking her hand.

They swing off overhead hand-holds like they’re glued to them. Mind you, given the consequences of letting go, it’s understandable they want to work on finger strength.

[KiwiScot 1,265]

4 hours ago, Nuff Said said:

Oh, and fencing (sorry @KiwiScot). WTF is that about? They just appear to throw themselves at each other, a buzzer goes off and one of them seems to randomly get a point. I was expecting some Errol Flynn/Flashing Blade-type duelling.

Yes it's lightning fast. Why wait around eh, just stab the **** you know. It's just trying to register a hit/touch rather then the wound inflicting stuff you might expect in a real duel.

The buzzer is there as you imagine it's hard to judge who got the point. The vest they wear is a giant sensor that registers when you get hit. There are sensors on the tips of the swords also athough I'm not sure how it works for each type of sword used, but you'll see the fencers with cables attached to them and off running along the floor to the system that records the hits.

I used to badly(and briefly) attend a fencing club so have a passing interest in it, but whatever I actually manage to see any(caught 2 minutes this time) it's not an easy watch I keep thinking it would probably be better shown at half speed or something.

They pretty much leap at each other to instantly extend the sword into you and reduce the time you have to parry it away. So taking the opportunity to attack there's the forward momentum, but it's going to be hard to regain a composed position to continue a duel without the opponent moving forward/extending to hit you. Theres some very quick parrying which is akin to instant defending and attacking and it's all over quick. Usually both register a hit so close together you need the sensor. If you do some backwards and forwards foot movement first you'll still end up in that position where you need to extend to strike and when you do that they pretty much extend back to counter attack. They become so good at it it's difficult to watch

I used to hate that sensor equipment and kept losing points as I'd let my sword drop and hit the floor which I never noticed without the sensors. Fun sport to actually play though.

[Nuff Said 4,472]

Just been watching the men’s skateboarding, impressive stuff but the commentary is brilliant. Things like “they serve inflight meals on that flip” and ollies, sailfish and backside 540s. Crying out for a comedy sketch but I’m not sure you could outdo the actual terms.
 

Edit: one of the competitors has just done a woolly mammoth!

“Backside air” too - I can do that one, but no-one applauds when I do it.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Nuff Said

[Herman 8,965]

[FenwayFrank 2,316]

11 hours ago, Nuff Said said:

Just been watching the men’s skateboarding, impressive stuff but the commentary is brilliant. Things like “they serve inflight meals on that flip” and ollies, sailfish and backside 540s. Crying out for a comedy sketch but I’m not sure you could outdo the actual terms.
 

Edit: one of the competitors has just done a woolly mammoth!

“Backside air” too - I can do that one, but no-one applauds when I do it.

“ He got so high up Jeff Bezos would be jealous “

[Nuff Said 4,472]

3 hours ago, Herman said:

Rhythmic gymnastics eh? Say no more.

[keelansgrandad 6,678]

I do like to see the women lapping each other

[FenwayFrank 2,316]

Is there a sporting reason why the women beach volleyball players have to have their bikini bottoms up between their butt cheeks ? 

[Herman 8,965]

1 hour ago, FenwayFrank said:

Is there a sporting reason why the women beach volleyball players have to have their bikini bottoms up between their butt cheeks ? 

They have "hungry arses" as my mate calls it.

[KiwiScot 1,265]

2 hours ago, FenwayFrank said:

Is there a sporting reason why the women beach volleyball players have to have their bikini bottoms up between their butt cheeks ? 

The enjoyment of the ever diminishing male bastion of acceptable sexest perving.

[horsefly 4,054]

Let's hope the UK stay above ROC in the final table. It's utterly dismaying that the name of Russia should be included in this Olympics.

						Total
1		United States	39	41	33	113
2		China	38	32	18	88
3		Japan	27	14	17	58
4		Great Britain	22	21	22	65
5		ROC	20	27	23	70