2016 Olympic Games, Rio

[ratsapprentice]

I think the big difficulty comes when it's hard to quantify what skill a "sport" demonstrates.

Target sports clearly test someone's reaction, aim and proprioception/dexterity.

Now, clearly the Equestrian events demonstrate a degree of horseriding skill, but essentially, what's actually being tested is choreography.

 

[Which Tyler]

I think the big difficulty comes when it's hard to quantify what skill a "sport" demonstrates.

Target sports clearly test someone's reaction, aim and proprioception/dexterity.

Now, clearly the Equestrian events demonstrate a degree of horseriding skill, but essentially, what's actually being tested is choreography.

Which is a skill.

I don't think anyone has a problem with any olympic sports in terms of skill requirements - it's the physical elements of "that's not a sport" isn't it?
Mind you - you're questioning the skill of horsemanship, so I guess I'm outright wrong there.

I wouldn't say that dressage is any less skillfull than gymnastics (floor - also set to music); I'd question whether it needs physical fitness beyond a fairly low base level.

 

[ratsapprentice]

No, I'm not - but what skill does the dancing test (that's worth including separately from other equestrian events) that isn't tested or demonstrated in the other equestrian events?

(I'm not one of the people calling for it to be removed, BTW)

 

[FNS]

At the end of the day it´s dancing on a horse which while it sounds impressive its not.

 

[ncurd]

I'd remove all levels of artistry is woman's gymnastics. Why are men not expected to prance about and just perform physical feats and the women not?

I don't like Ice Dancing over Figure Scating for the same reason.

 

[Which Tyler]

No, I'm not - but what skill does the dancing test (that's worth including separately from other equestrian events) that isn't tested or demonstrated in the other equestrian events?

(I'm not one of the people calling for it to be removed, BTW)

I'm not knowledgeable enough about equestrianism to comment there (I couldn't give a flying F*** about dressage - even 4 years ago when it was suddenly cool to, for some reason); though I would ask what skill many sports test that aren't tested by similar-but-different events.

I'd have thought that dressage tests very different skills to show-jumping or cross country though - they're just different things. What skill is tested in breast stroke that isn't in butterfly? or in running 100m versus 200m? omnium cycling versus... wait, wtf IS omnium cycling?

 

[ncurd]

Considering how many events Phelps wins every Games I thinks it's fair to say there are too many swimming events. I don't think it's a huge amount off but when the same people are competing in each event everytime something is wrong. You expect the odd freak who can compete in multiple similar events but 8 is taking the ****.

Like if the Fencers all competed in Foil, Sabre and Épée.

 

[Which Tyler]

Agreed; I've been wanting a cull in the pool since Sydney.

 

[ncurd]

It's not like it's a new thing Spitz was back in 1972.

My Dad hated it when Phelps beat his record as Spitz was his hero as a kid and why he took up competitive swimming.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Considering how many events Phelps wins every Games I thinks it's fair to say there are too many swimming events. I don't think it's a huge amount off but when the same people are competing in each event everytime something is wrong. You expect the odd freak who can compete in multiple similar events but 8 is taking the ****.

Like if the Fencers all competed in Foil, Sabre and Épée.

I agree, I'm probably in the majority in that I only really see swimmng at Olympics and Commonwealth Games and while I know the big players, Lochte, Le Clos (speaking of, I swear we were pronouncing the "s" in 2012), Phelps etc but find it hard to remember who competes in which stroke, distance etc. Hard to follow progress sometimes.

That said I think they should introduce more real swimming events such as;

100m Freestyle whilst having to dodge a hairy northern bloke on a lilo
50 yard sprint to reserve the starting chair/jump thing they use before the German family put their stuff down and then **** off sightseeing
And for the blokey blokes, the Try to look like your swimming but youre actually only putting your head under the water to look at the girls backsides in their bikinis

 

[Which Tyler]

It's not like it's a new thing Spitz was back in 1972.

My Dad hated it when Phelps beat his record as Spitz was his hero as a kid and why he took up competitive swimming.

No-one's claiming it's new; it just feels that multiple swimming medals are... devalued (not quite right, but best I can come up with) - certainly in comparison to events where no athlete could possibly get multiple medals in one games.

To me, the different strokes are like asking someone to swim as fast as they can... with some random requirement to slow them down - like asking Bolt to run the 100m paradiddle.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nah... the Swimming would comparable to Bolt running in the 60m, 100m, 150m and 200m. And all of the relays.

Again, though... I don't mind.

 

[ncurd]

It's the who's the greatest Olympian debate, Redgrave competed in 6 events in 5 Olympics over 16 years his gold medal ratio is 83%. He got a gold at every one in a team event.

Phelps has competed in 25 events in 4 Olympics over 12 years his gold ratio is 84%. Some are individual some are team but he's also got gold everytime.

 

[RedruthRFC]

No-one's claiming it's new; it just feels that multiple swimming medals are... devalued (not quite right, but best I can come up with) - certainly in comparison to events where no athlete could possibly get multiple medals in one games.

Exactly, the fact that some Olympians are afforded more opportunities than others doesn't sit well with me either. Also, it hands an unfair advantage in the medal table to those nations that happen to be strong in the pool over nations that are strong in sports in which there are many less medals on offer.

 

[RedruthRFC]

It's the who's the greatest Olympian debate, Redgrave competed in 6 events in 5 Olympics over 16 years his gold medal ratio is 83%. He got a gold at every one in a team event.

Phelps has competed in 25 events in 4 Olympics over 12 years his gold ratio is 84%. Some are individual some are team but he's also got gold everytime.

Apparently the answer is Ray Ewry, 10 individual gold medals from 10 events entered. No, I hadn't heard of him either until I Googled the subject.

 

[Which Tyler]

Apparently the answer is Ray Ewry, 10 individual gold medals from 10 events entered. No, I hadn't heard of him either until I Googled the subject.

Yeah, I looked into it a lot 4 years ago; can't remember who's name I ended up on; but someone I'd basically never heard of beforehand.
And it's not just getting in the way of GOAT discussions (Phelps certainly has his place in the discussion); it' the simple fact that 1 athlete can enter a dozen different events in 1 games; and have a realistic chance in all of them - if that's the case, then the events simply aren't specialised enough for my tastes.
Not something I'm particularly bothered about, it just... bugs me.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The men's canoe slalom final is finishing up now, always randomly stumble upon this during Olympics, it's easily my favourite event.

 

[ncurd]

Bronze at least c'mon!

- - - Updated - - -

Now silver!

- - - Updated - - -

GOLD!

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Great kayaking. Looked a tough course.

 

[ncurd]

Apparently the answer is Ray Ewry, 10 individual gold medals from 10 events entered. No, I hadn't heard of him either until I Googled the subject.

Yes but over only 3 Olympics. Whereas Redgrave and Phelps have competed in more so sustained success isn't a factor if you pick Ewry. Not selecting either way just an interesting topic.