# 6 reasons why I think the Olympics now suck. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2000, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561 "2000-09-18T02:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/61 "2000-09-19T16:39:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Byzantine \* > \*\* > > My point in telling him/her to put on a suit and go to it is that it’s a lot harder than it looks. > \*\* Actually, I think competitive ballroom dancing looks damn hard, but I just don’t think it should be an Olympic sport. I feel the same way about ice skating, but I’m sure I’m in the minority on that one. I just prefer the sports that are determined by who is the fastest, who scores the most points, etc. rather than those determined by the judges opinions and scorings. Not that those sports aren’t difficult, I just don’t really care that much about them. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/62 "2000-09-19T16:40:33Z")
Oh so that’s what it was. I suppose if I had ever played it at some point in my life (or even _seen_ it before) I might have a little more respect. Not having had such experience, my first impression was just that it looked a little silly. Hey, soccer is great fun and I played it all through out high school- it just doesn’t do anything for me to sit on my sofa and watch a bunch of people I don’t know play it. This is the source of my general non-interest in most organized sports. For the same reason, when I’m hungry I don’t watch somebody eating a hamburger. Here’s what I saw last night: Some guy running towards a pommel horse at high speed, then he did a flip and landed on the other side. Total elapsed time of action (if you want to call that action) ~ 3.5 seconds. Then he spent the next 10 minutes screaming & hugging his team mates & jumping up & down in celebration. You’d think they discovered a cure for cancer or something. I’m sure you have to be pretty well trained to do a flip like that and land on your feet, I just wonder why anybody would want to look at it. I guess I just don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/63 "2000-09-19T17:07:33Z")
I agree with most of what has been said about NBC’s coverage of the Olympics biting. Hard. I’m surprised that no one from Canada has weighed in on this. Apparently the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company?) is showing the real Olympics, real time. And hopefully, sans hideous cheesy commentary. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/64 "2000-09-19T17:28:06Z")
The BBC have it here and the coverage is similar to Canada (it seems). During the night (11.30 ish pm - UK time - ‘til it finishes for the day in Sydney) the BBC shows different sports live on **two** channels. And the beeb doesn’t have any advertising !! During the daytime they show highlights packages and the sports they couldn’t cover during the night but only on one channel. All this ‘personal story’ stuff sounds like a nightmare. We get a very little of that but I think everyone realises it’s just soft focus type crap unless there really is a story. Can’t understand NBC at all on this. Not trying to make ya’ll jealous, just letting you know what can be shown if the Network is committed to coverage rather than revenue. If watching it in the States I’d definately e-mail the Network. And if I was involved in one of the lesser publiciced sports I’d be furious, the Olymics is also supposed to be a showcase. If the kids can’t see the sport, there is much less chance they will take it up. ---
**Author:** ![theuglytruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@theuglytruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theuglytruth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/65 "2000-09-19T18:40:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Byzantine \* > \*\*theuglytruth – well, I’m not sure if your name is true or not. Ugly yes. Truth? Uh… > > 1. Commies? Are you from a bad 50’s propaganda film or what? Oh, perhaps you are just trolling. Silly, either way > \*\* > > Commies. Pinkos. Reds. Russkies. All the same to me. > > **Professionals? I guess, since I don’t know, in that sport there are? Most of the competitors are not pros.** > > Whaaaa . . .? B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B!!! > > \*\* Stupid sports? Ballroom dancing is stupid to you? Get your best suit on and go out on a dance floor and even TRY to do what those folks can do. Same for the other “stupid” sports you mentioned. YOU think they are stupid because you do not understand the finesse involved. How easy to mock something you do not fully understand.\*\* > > Pro wrestling is a very tough sport with lots of injuries too. Why don’t we have that in the Olympics. Byz: BALLROOM . . DANCING . .IS . . .NOT . .A. . . SPORT!!! > > \*\* Boring locations? Travel much? I suggest, nicely, that you get your computer out of your ass and actually LOOK beyond your own window; the world is rich in it’s diversity and beauty; pity that you are unable to see it.\*\* > > It is rich in it’s diversity. Unfortunately the IOC is NOT very diverse in what “race” of people gets to host the games. Of all the Olympics ever held, only FIVE have been held in countries in which the population was not predominately white: Mexico City, Tokyo, Seoul, Sapporro, and Nagano. China was shunned for Australia for these Olympics. Arab, African and South Asian countries completely left out. So much for celebrating diverse rich cultures huh? > > Excuse me now as I remove my computer from my ass. > > \*\* Bribery is a disgrace. This is the ONLY point I think we agree upon. I’m ashamed that the SLC committee is so highly publicized in this when I’m damn sure it’s been going on for years; however, I STILL am glad it came out about SLC’s participation in this. I want those involved prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I want those who paid and those who benefitted EQUALLY punished! > > 1. Too (many) athletes using drugs. Yes, there is a problem with this, but they are found out. And there are issues about recreational and performance drugs. I guess I can’t agree with you until you clarify which issue you are talking about.\*\* > > The issue I have is that if you want to win a Gold Medal, you are forced to put your life in jeopardy by using a dangerous performance enhancing drug. The Olympic testing program is a shame and a fraud. Check out Newsweek from 2 weeks ago to read all about it. > > \*\*. GO USA!!! > \*\* ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/66 "2000-09-19T19:00:10Z")
Another idea for the folks who are planning to email NBC to protest their shoddy coverage. Watch the Olympics tonight, write down the names of the commercial sponsors, and include in your email the fact that you plan to boycott those sponsors. Send copies to the sponsors. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/67 "2000-09-19T19:15:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vix \* > \*\*I agree with most of what has been said about NBC’s coverage of the Olympics biting. Hard. I’m surprised that no one from Canada has weighed in on this. Apparently the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company?) is showing the real Olympics, real time. And hopefully, sans hideous cheesy commentary. \*\* Well, they don’t show a LOT of Olympics, and there is some cheesy commentary, though not much. CBC coverage is generally pretty good, but we ARE missing some stuff. Prime time coverage only runs about four hours a night. Canada is getting wiped out early in a lot of events, so CBC is having some early trouble getting some big draws on the air. There’s not much you can do about the time difference, but CBC’s giving it an honest shot. The NBC coverage is truly dreadful, the worst sports broadcasting I have ever seen. Even the production values are nowhere near Canadian standards; it’s as if they not only didn’t care enough to broadcast live, but they sent the amateur cameramen and producers, too. ---
**Author:** ![Heath\_Doolin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Heath\_Doolin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heath_Doolin)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/68 "2000-09-19T20:35:21Z")
to see Fencing and Greco Roman Wrestling and Cycling and Judo!! Judo is the coolest to watch! Course, I probably won’t so that we can see NBC version of important events. Diving, swimming, running, more swimming, a repeatr of the US swimming, close up on heartfelt US story, china or some ‘other country’ wins and we get a second to see the winner (I am surprised they hold it long enough to do the whole ceremony for the other team.) Look I do not care if he or she is from China, Webleyville, or Hootertown Mars. I like to applaud the winner for giving it their all and see them bask in the glory that they have one for their country! I clapped big time for the China team in Gymnastics because they did a FANTASTIC job and deserved it. Yet the coverage was less than adequate with most of the time focused on why the US did not win. Olympics is about the best IN THE WORLD, not about whose best on our side. ---
**Author:** ![Suo\_Na](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@Suo\_Na](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suo_Na)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/69 "2000-09-19T22:56:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rmariamp \* > \*\*true but dressage is the only sport where people go: “My GOD, did you SEE that halt?” > > _grin_ from one horse fanatic to another… \*\* Ah yes. Fans of gymnastics gasp in pleasure when the gymnast lands with his/her feet together, and yet they slag dressage. Try coordinating four feet that you can’t even see and over which you have no direct muscle control! That’s skill! ---
**Author:** ![Suo\_Na](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@Suo\_Na](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suo_Na)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/70 "2000-09-19T23:05:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\* > CBC coverage is generally pretty good, but we ARE missing some stuff. Prime time coverage only runs about four hours a night. > \*\* Really? When I looked at CBC’s web page at the beginning of the Olympics (to see if they were webcasting anything) their schedule looked exhaustive; coverage 20 hours a day, with only news breaking it up. Did they change the schedule because our athletes aren’t winning? Clearly NBC must die. [http://www.olympics.com](http://www.olympics.com) has better and more interesting coverage. But I’ve done this rant before. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2000, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/71 "2000-09-20T01:45:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Suo Na \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > > CBC coverage is generally pretty good, but we ARE missing some stuff. Prime time coverage only runs about four hours a night. > > \*\* > > Really? When I looked at CBC’s web page at the beginning of the Olympics (to see if they were webcasting anything) their schedule looked exhaustive; coverage 20 hours a day, with only news breaking it up. Did they change the schedule because our athletes aren’t winning? I was a little misleading; when I say prime time coverage, I mean in prime time. It leaves off at 10 until midnight. I’d prefer a more solid block of coverage from about 5 to midnight or so; more people could watch it. I can’t watch at work. Damned boss. 😉 I’ve watched enough NBC to know we’re lucky. NBC’s coverage is appalling. ---
**Author:** ![Byzantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@Byzantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Byzantine)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2000, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/72 "2000-09-20T08:25:19Z")
Coldfire – should have slapped a 😉 in there for you; it was in jest. I do not think you only care for “bash your teeth in sports”. It was a tease based on the make-up and music; I went to the opposite extreme. Bashed in teeth surely must be the extreme from make-up and music! I have been on-line for the last two hours debating issues so I’m a bit spent. If you don’t “get” a sport don’t watch it. If you do “get” it feel free to defend it. In closing all I will say is that regardless of what anyone and everyone thinks or feels I’m damn proud of anyone and everyone who is there to represent their country. (There is a post of mine in the Pit about this…) I envy them and respect them no matter what their sport. I am in AWE of these people who have gathered to find the best of the best. I wish them all well. Even though, yes, I want the U.S.A. to kick some serious butt I still want everyone to do their very best (I cheered my ASS off for the Torpedo from Australia tonight!). I really do see the Olympics as the one time when we should set aside our often petty differences and just compete to the very best of our abilities. I love it when after a race I see the winners hug and acknowledge those they beat; that to me speaks so highly of their sportsmanship. There is little shame in my mind in not getting a medal; but I was truly horrified by such bad sportsmanship examples like what Nancy Kerigan did before the medal ceremony in 1994 where in front of cameras and microphones she was bashing Oksana Baiul. It broke my heart she was such a cutting, vindictive bitch because she “only” won silver. I hated the fact that she represented me as part of the U.S. I hung my head in SHAME! I do not want people like that to represent me. I think the U.S. is a great place but I do not want that kind of representation. She is the embodiment of everything that is wrong about an athlete. She was bitter, defensive, cutting, rude and more adjectives than this forum allows me to spew. She is EVERYTHING I do not want our athletes to be. I am damn glad I have not seen her likeness in these summer games… I want those who represent the U.S. to win or lose with grace. I want them to just be there and understand the importance inherent in that. Just BE THERE. Just be the best you can be and be able to acknowledge when you aren’t the best. And be sure to be kind when you are the best. I will never forget the look on Polk’s face, when she took that bronze in women’s swimming… she was thrilled to death… I wish our, the two U.S. athletes, would have acknowledged her more… they did not slight her but I just wish they could have included her in that winning hug… she deserved it. She rocks for her country and I was cheering her on! I’m strong U.S.A. but I do want everyone to do their best! Go U.S.A!!! (And Go everyone else!!!) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2000, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/73 "2000-09-20T11:20:50Z")
I watched a few minutes of the Olympics last night. Sponsors I noticed were: Budwiser Light Coca Cola Visa There was a truck commercial, too. Dodge? Having heard who the winners were beforehand, the coverage was too boring to watch. Maybe NBC will send us a list of their sponsors so that we can write to them? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![theuglytruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@theuglytruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theuglytruth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561/74 "2000-09-21T02:25:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Byzantine \* > \*\*theuglytruth – well, I’m not sure if your name is true or not. Ugly yes. Truth? Uh… > > 1. Commies? Are you from a bad 50’s propaganda film or what? Oh, perhaps you are just trolling. Silly, either way.\*\* > > Commies. Pinkos. Reds. Line’em all up and shoot 'em, I say. > \*\* > 2. Professionals? I guess, since I don’t know, in that sport there are? Most of the competitors are not pros.\*\* > > Huh? > \*\* > 3. Stupid sports? Ballroom dancing is stupid to you? Get your best suit on and go out on a dance floor and even TRY to do what those folks can do. Same for the other “stupid” sports you mentioned. YOU think they are stupid because you do not understand the finesse involved. How easy to mock something you do not fully understand.\*\* > > Pro wrestling is a stupid sport that is extremely hard to do. Why dont we have Abdullah the Butcher representing the Sudan vs Steve Austin representing Texas for the Gold (OK Texas isnt a country, just in case some of you still dont get my humor)? BECAUSE JUST LIKE PRO WRESTLING . . . > > BALLROOM . . DANCING . . IS . . NOT . . A . .SPORT!!! > > What next? Cat contests? > \*\* > 4. Boring locations? Travel much? I suggest, nicely, that you get your computer out of your ass and actually LOOK beyond your own window; the world is rich in it’s diversity and beauty; pity that you are unable to see it.\*\* > > Well, I didn’t have my computer up my ass . . but . . ah . . ouch . .Here it is! My Almanac. Let’s look at the Olympics since 1898 and count how many Olympic games have been held in countries where the dominant race does NOT have white skin . . . . FIVE. And three of those were in Japan! > > No Africa. No South America. No Indian subcontinent. No Middle East. > > And for the 2000 games, China was voted out by 2 votes in favor of . . .lilly white Oz. > > NOW . . . . who is not rich in diversity??? > > Excuse me now as I wipe off the pages. > \*\* > 5. Bribery is a disgrace. This is the ONLY point I think we agree upon. I’m ashamed that the SLC committee is so highly publicized in this when I’m damn sure it’s been going on for years; however, I STILL am glad it came out about SLC’s participation in this. I want those involved prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I want those who paid and those who benefitted EQUALLY punished! > > 1. Too (many) athletes using drugs. Yes, there is a problem with this, but they are found out. And there are issues about recreational and performance drugs. I guess I can’t agree with you until you clarify which issue you are talking about.\*\* > > The issue I am talking about is that to win a medal, you are forced to use dangerous performance enhancing drugs. > > Don’t get me started on IOC drug testing. It is a fraud and a disgrace. > \*\* > > P.S. GO USA!!!\*\* > > Ugly Americanism at it’s worst. You probably love it when we beat Croatia in basketball 134-60. What a thrill!\*\* > \*\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6-reasons-why-i-think-the-olympics-now-suck/33561.md?page=3)