# 2018 Winter Olympics Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 9, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525 "2018-02-09T16:55:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/61 "2018-02-12T18:49:19Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Oh, I’m with you. Nothing judged should be an Olympic sport. Too much bias. Only things measurable, timed etc, should be there. Distance, speed, max weight, that sort of thing. > > I’d even add - no team sports. No hockey, baseball, basketball, curling, water polo. That’s not the exhibition of human ability, it’s a group effort. I’d make exceptions for bobsled, relay races, or doubles tennis, maybe. > > Yes, I know, in my world the Olympics will last three days and no one will watch. But is that a bad thing? The Olympics are competing with my NHRA and Westminster Dog Show! And the Daytona 500. I want to keep Olympic hockey, which is better than NHL hockey. I don’t know about basketball or baseball or water polo, though. The latter seems a little silly to me. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/62 "2018-02-12T19:01:14Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Oh, I’m with you. Nothing judged should be an Olympic sport. Too much bias. Only things measurable, timed etc, should be there. Distance, speed, max weight, that sort of thing. > > I’d even add - no team sports. No hockey, baseball, basketball, curling, water polo. That’s not the exhibition of human ability, it’s a group effort. I’d make exceptions for bobsled, relay races, or doubles tennis, maybe. > > Yes, I know, in my world the Olympics will last three days and no one will watch. But is that a bad thing? The Olympics are competing with my NHRA and Westminster Dog Show! And the Daytona 500. I would keep curling, as “distance from the center” is objective, and the “team” role is not something that alters the scoring. That said, equestrian and motorcycles are OUT, in that they do not involve the olympian’s own power… ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/63 "2018-02-12T20:33:08Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Oh, I’m with you. Nothing judged should be an Olympic sport. Too much bias. Only things measurable, timed etc, should be there. Distance, speed, max weight, that sort of thing. > > I’d even add - no team sports. No hockey, baseball, basketball, curling, water polo. That’s not the exhibition of human ability, it’s a group effort. I’d make exceptions for bobsled, relay races, or doubles tennis, maybe. > > Yes, I know, in my world the Olympics will last three days and no one will watch. But is that a bad thing? The Olympics are competing with my NHRA and Westminster Dog Show! And the Daytona 500. “Max weight”? Technically, weightlifting is judged, in that three judges decide whether or not a lift was valid. As for the “three day Olympics” - not at all; track & field and swimming by themselves take up just about the entire length of the current summer Olympics, although there is some judging in swimming as well (in terms of “was that a valid, e.g., breast stroke?”). ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/64 "2018-02-12T21:07:12Z")
> [@phungi](#): > > [controversial opinion alert] > > If it can’t be objectively measured (i.e., time, distance) get it out of the olympic medal category… make it an exhibition, but don’t give medals. I know this means no figure skating, gymnastics, half-pipe, but let’s be honest, you watch a run/routine, and then wait to see what the judges score. Take moguls for example: time is 20% of the score, but “[how good you look while making turns](http://www.fis-ski.com/mm/Document/documentlibrary/FreestyleSkiing/04/21/06/FreestyleSkiingJudgingHandbook2015v2_English.pdf)” is weighted 60%. Why isn’t body posture judged in the luge, or form in the 200-meter butterfly? And don’t get me started on any event that requires music… artistic expression, gimme a break… > > [/controversial post alert] A lot of people agree with you. Every two years, someone makes the same point on this message board. However, I don’t. I like some of the judged sports. And I think they are very popular, otherwise they wouldn’t be shown so much. It was an amazing feat that Mirai Negasu was first American woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics, and only the third woman from any country, however it was judged. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/65 "2018-02-12T21:33:41Z")
> [@phungi](#): > > [controversial opinion alert] > > If it can’t be objectively measured (i.e., time, distance) get it out of the olympic medal category… make it an exhibition, but don’t give medals. I know this means no figure skating, gymnastics, half-pipe, but let’s be honest, you watch a run/routine, and then wait to see what the judges score. Take moguls for example: time is 20% of the score, but “[how good you look while making turns](http://www.fis-ski.com/mm/Document/documentlibrary/FreestyleSkiing/04/21/06/FreestyleSkiingJudgingHandbook2015v2_English.pdf)” is weighted 60%. Why isn’t body posture judged in the luge, or form in the 200-meter butterfly? And don’t get me started on any event that requires music… artistic expression, gimme a break… > > [/controversial post alert] Most popular winter Olympic Sport - figure skating Most popular summer Olympic Sport - gymnastics The TV rights to those two sports carry the rest of the games. No one is killing the goose that lays the golden egg. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/66 "2018-02-12T21:56:44Z")
My wife has been recording them, and FF thru the ads/commentary/profiles/etc. I tried to watch some of the opening, but left the room to read. The next eve I made it thru a couple of ice dance routines before I again, left the room to read. As others have commented, simply no interest (in the manner they are traditionally televised.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/67 "2018-02-12T23:49:41Z")
> [@phungi](#): > > [controversial opinion alert] > > If it can’t be objectively measured (i.e., time, distance) get it out of the olympic medal category… make it an exhibition, but don’t give medals. I know this means no figure skating, gymnastics, half-pipe, but let’s be honest, you watch a run/routine, and then wait to see what the judges score. Take moguls for example: time is 20% of the score, but “[how good you look while making turns](http://www.fis-ski.com/mm/Document/documentlibrary/FreestyleSkiing/04/21/06/FreestyleSkiingJudgingHandbook2015v2_English.pdf)” is weighted 60%. Why isn’t body posture judged in the luge, or form in the 200-meter butterfly? And don’t get me started on any event that requires music… artistic expression, gimme a break… > > [/controversial post alert] Controversy aisde, 1. This is probably the seven billionth time someone’s made this argument on the SDMB, and 2. A general discussion of one’s opinion of judged sports is off topic. Please don’t derail this thread. Thanks, RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/68 "2018-02-13T02:24:04Z")
NBC’s smarmy human interest stories are usually my least favorite part of the Olympics, but I have to admit that I missed Alex and Frederic Bilodeau during the moguls this year. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/69 "2018-02-13T02:50:46Z")
“The bronze is secured by Gold” is one of the more confusing things I’ve heard a commentator say, even if it was accurate. Names aside, though, it was clear that women’s half-pipe was pretty much just a competition for silver and bronze very early on. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/70 "2018-02-13T04:05:56Z")
I am happy to announce my engagement to Chloe Kim. Does anyone know her email address, so I can tell her the good news? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/71 "2018-02-13T04:24:47Z")
Women’s half-pipe was AWESOME! And curling is boring. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/72 "2018-02-13T05:04:31Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > It was an amazing feat that Mirai Negasu was **first American woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics** , and only the third woman from any country, however it was judged. Bolding mine. I have seen and heard so much about this the last day or so…I find it weird. I mean, yes, it’s obviously impressive in that only two women have ever performed this jump in competition before, but I don’t get what makes it special that she is the “first American woman.” Is there something about the water in the US that makes triple axels extremely difficult? Does the US only hire coaches who can’t or won’t teach the move? What’s the deal with “first American”? FTR, I don’t find it all that compelling either in other sports when I hear things like “the first {name of team] player to hit three grand slams in a week” when the feat has been accomplished on other occasions by players from other teams. Oh well. I just think it’s strange. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/73 "2018-02-13T07:15:34Z")
Ulf, it’s supposed to make proud of the American, cause you’re American (or you’re country, of you’re athlete). God knows there is not much else to be proud of in these here United States! I 'll take what I can get! And…btw I think Rippon got robbed, his skate was nearly perfect and he lost to skaters who fell. Not right! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/74 "2018-02-13T14:03:38Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > Bolding mine. > > I have seen and heard so much about this the last day or so…I find it weird. I mean, yes, it’s obviously impressive in that only two women have ever performed this jump in competition before, but I don’t get what makes it special that she is the “first American woman.” Is there something about the water in the US that makes triple axels extremely difficult? Does the US only hire coaches who can’t or won’t teach the move? What’s the deal with “first American”? > > FTR, I don’t find it all that compelling either in other sports when I hear things like “the first {name of team] player to hit three grand slams in a week” when the feat has been accomplished on other occasions by players from other teams. > > Oh well. I just think it’s strange. I posted this same thing on FB, only with somewhat more disparaging language. After all, Midori Ito did it in the Olympics **16 years ago**. So it’s not particularly important news, yet the media was all over that accomplishment like it was something super special. What made the reporting worse was that, despite hitting the triple axel, she lost her portion of the team competition to the 15-y.o. OAR skater, Alina Zagitova, by over 20 points! She was, effectively, blown out of the water by Zagitova. Yet most of the reports had a single sentence in them, indicating that she was second place in the discipline, often without even naming the Russian skater. :dubious: [quote] > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Ulf, it’s supposed to make proud of the American, cause you’re American (or you’re country, of you’re athlete). God knows there is not much else to be proud of in these here United States! > I 'll take what I can get! > > And…btw I think Rippon got robbed, his skate was nearly perfect and he lost to skaters who fell. Not right! All this says is that Rippon chose a program that was ridiculously conservative. Skating scoring is not some ambiguous thing any more. You can predict your outcome with much more certainty these days. So, he skates a fairly flawless program, which means his total is about what he could predict would be his maximum result. And yet, it isn’t sufficient to beat a total that was skated by someone who **didn’t** skate flawlessly. That’s just irrational. If you are going to skate a conservative program technically, on the hope that you will be perfect and the others will make mistakes, you should at least make the program difficult enough that you can get enough score from it to beat someone who makes those mistakes! :rolleyes: And, of course, it wouldn’t have mattered in the least in the end. The US was four placement points behind the Russians in the end. That means that, to have changed who got the silver medal, EACH of the American disciplines would have had a result one placement better than they did during the free skate. About which, see the above commentary on the Zagitova performance. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/75 "2018-02-13T14:29:25Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > I posted this same thing on FB, only with somewhat more disparaging language. After all, Midori Ito did it in the Olympics **16 years ago**. No she didn’t. She did it **26** years ago. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/76 "2018-02-13T14:42:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And…btw I think Rippon got robbed, his skate was nearly perfect and he lost to skaters who fell. Not right! Rippon’s main problem, as has already been said here, was, his routines’ base scores (74.63 - this is what he would have received had all of the Grades of Execution (the -3 to +3 ratings) been zero) weren’t worth as much as Chan’s (77.29) or Kolyada’s (81.41). A prime example: Kolyada’s first jump was a quad Lutz, and he got 8.83 points (taking the automatic -1 for a fall into account), which is just about the lowest possible score you can get for that jump (the absolute lowest is 8.6, but two of the nine judges gave it a -2 instead of a -3). On the other hand, a “perfect” (all +3s) triple Lutz is worth only 8.1 points. Rippon had no quad jumps in his routine. Also note that, despite being called “free skate,” there are limits. Watch the individual men’s free skate; you will notice there are always 13 “boxes” beneath the score, and, almost always, they end up getting filled. This is because a men’s routine is limited to 8 jumps/combinations (bonus fact: starting next year, it becomes 7), 3 spins, 1 step sequence, and 1 “choreographic sequence” (defined as “any kind of movements like steps, turns, spirals, arabesques, spread eagles, Ina Bauers (I “think” that’s where a skater is gliding “sideways” with one skate facing forward and the other facing backward), hydroblading, any jumps with maximum of 2 revolutions, spins, etc.”). [Link to detailed scores](http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/owg2018/) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/77 "2018-02-13T17:22:07Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > And curling is boring. Sorry. Heretic! Pebble her! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/78 "2018-02-13T17:24:19Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Heretic! Pebble her! Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of a perfectly executed out-turn angle raise. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/79 "2018-02-13T17:25:29Z")
Well, a Robot Arm should be able to do it 99% of the time, surely? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525/80 "2018-02-13T17:31:58Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Like what, curling? 😉 Mr T has tweeted that he’s watching the curling! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-winter-olympics-thread/808525.md?page=5)