# Pick 1 Olympic event to eliminate and one to add **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 15, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947 "2004-08-15T15:22:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/61 "2004-08-16T20:34:17Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > **Pocket Billiards** > Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous, 500 pts) > 8-Ball > 9-Ball > One Pocket > Snooker > Trick shooting (non-medaling exhibition) > > **Carom Billiards** > Straight Billiards (aka Straight-rail) > One-Cushion > Three Cushion > Balkline > Artistic billiards (non-medaling exhibition) Plus Bar Billiards, I hope… ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/62 "2004-08-16T20:50:51Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Would you get rid of relay races? Don’t know if you were adressing me or **blinx** , but I don’t think of the relay race as a “team sport”. Kinda like I wouldn’t call pairs skating a team sport. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/63 "2004-08-16T20:57:46Z")
> [@El Cheapo](#): > > The list of “RECOGNISED SPORTS” of the IOC is listed at [http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/recognized/index\_uk.asp](http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/recognized/index_uk.asp) > > These would seem to be the likely candidates for addition in the future. Which includes the sport with undoubtedly the greatest name ever… KORFBALL!!! (Which actually looks kind of cool. It’s basketball with no dribbling, with an emphasis on strategic team play, and all teams _must_ be 4 men and 4 women.) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/64 "2004-08-16T21:10:26Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Plus Bar Billiards, I hope… Explain Bar Billiards to me. ---
**Author:** ![caligynephobia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7feea3/32.png) [@caligynephobia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligynephobia)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/65 "2004-08-16T21:13:38Z")
Drop: dressage, if that’s the event where a well-dressed fellow slowly rides a horse by himself around an X-shaped track in the middle of a square. Add: [Competitive Boomerang Events](http://www.usba.org/The_Sport/Format.html). Fat chance of course, given that they couldn’t even get it as a demonstration sport at the Sydney games. I’d also be in favor of Soaring, [World Class](http://www.wcsa.org/history.htm) style. On second thought (and preview), I think the olympics would actually cheapen the sport of soaring, so nix that. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/66 "2004-08-16T21:17:15Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Explain Bar Billiards to me. [http://www.bar-billiards.co.uk/intro.htm](http://www.bar-billiards.co.uk/intro.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/67 "2004-08-16T21:31:30Z")
Okay, who suggested dropping beach volleyball? Come on, whose the big man? You made my future wife (Misty May) sad. I’ll see you outside. Drop: I’ll second the dropping of soccer, tenis, etc. Add: LAX. Chicks with sticks in skirts. Guys whacking the heck out of each other. What’s not to like. Video gaming. I’m ready. Are you? ---
**Author:** ![TitoBenito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2acd7d/32.png) [@TitoBenito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TitoBenito)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/68 "2004-08-17T15:33:22Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > How did the US get “knocked out of playing by Greece”? > > Greece automatically made the tournament due to being the host country. But according to the [Qualifying Rules](http://www.athens2004.com/Files/files/Pdf-Sports/BaseballQual.pdf) (warning: pdf) for the Athens Olympics, two teams were selected from the American region, based on a qualifying tournament played in 2003. And according to the [International Baseball Federation](http://www.baseball.ch/2003/t/og/og2804f.htm), Cuba won that tournament, with Canada coming second. If the US can’t beat Cuba and/or Canada, then why does it deserve to go to the Games? Yes exactly its a stupid system. Your explanation only furthers my belief. Who cares who the best teams in Europe or Oceania are? I’d say the same thing if the US got to play team handball because two teams had to come from the Americas, but they don’t. Brazil is the only handball team from the Americas. Nine teams are European and three from elsewhere. Why is it that a European sport like handball allows Europe so many teams, but a chiefly American and Asian game has to have to have an equal number of teams with the Europeans? I want to see the best playing the best. It’s stupid to have Canada, the US, and Cuba fight over two spaces in the Olympics when they are three of the best teams in the world. ---
**Author:** ![TitoBenito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2acd7d/32.png) [@TitoBenito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TitoBenito)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/69 "2004-08-17T15:39:41Z")
[Here is why the US isn’t playing baseball](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/baseball/wires/08/14/2090.ap.oly.missing.yanks.bbo.bjt.0683/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/70 "2004-08-17T15:46:06Z")
So what does Greece have to do with the US baseball team not being at the Olympics? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/71 "2004-08-17T16:15:57Z")
> [@TitoBenito](#): > > [Here is why the US isn’t playing baseball](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/baseball/wires/08/14/2090.ap.oly.missing.yanks.bbo.bjt.0683/index.html) I’ve already conceded that the qualifying process leaves something to be desired, but the process is not the only thing to blame. Did you see this bit? > [@](#): > > A roster full of U.S. minor leaguers lost to Mexico 2-1 in the qualifying tournament, knocking the defending champions out. Baseball’s birthplace was left behind, and a dream matchup was forever scrapped. If they’re gonna send minor leaguers to the qualifying tournament, they deserve whatever they get. It’s not up to the IOC to cater to the whims and the timetable of Major League Baseball. I’m sure we can all agree that, had the US sent even a bunch of average major leaguers to the tournament, they would probably have kicked Mexico’s ass. That they sent a second rate team is no-one’s fault but their own. ---
**Author:** ![TitoBenito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2acd7d/32.png) [@TitoBenito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TitoBenito)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/72 "2004-08-17T18:04:42Z")
Which to me is every reason why it shouldn’t be an olympic sport. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/73 "2004-08-17T18:21:00Z")
ISTR reading that in the first few Olympics, there was an accompanying artistic/cultural competition. I’m not sure whether this involved poetry or art or what, but it could stand to be revived. Then we could include non-physical competitions. Scrabble, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/74 "2004-08-18T05:58:50Z")
Drop: boxing because it’s barbaric, syncronized swimming because it isn’t a sport if you have to stick jello in your hair and tennis for reasons already mentioned. Add: frisbee – finally an olympic sport for nerds! Bowling would be cool too. ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/75 "2004-08-18T07:02:00Z")
Boxing might be barbaric but it’s not a sport barbarians take part in or are welcome in if you know what I mean. Certainly not in the amateur world. I’d drop all the team sports including the relays and all the ball sports. I’d find a way to include powerlifting although it would mean a lot of fighting and bitching between the various federations and associations to come up with mutually acceptable standards. It’s the best demonstration of strength there is. Weightlifting is the best display of power. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/76 "2004-08-18T20:51:45Z")
**Drop** : If you get judged on makeup and costume, **it.is.not.a.sport**. Yes, syn.swim I’m looking at you. And don’t even think about adding Ballroom Dancing. Canoeing. Canoeing? Canoeing is an Olympic sport? Do they have to do 5 mile portages through mosquito infested swamps and then paddle down tiny little creeks with rocks and evil geese? Then.it’s.not.a.sport. **Add** : combine marathon and archery. Like the winter biathalon (sp?). But harder. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/77 "2004-08-18T21:43:24Z")
Drop: Add me to the endless list of people who hate “sports” with judges. Sorry, not a sport. Add: Roshambo. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_MuD\_PhuD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/2bfe46/32.png) [@Elmer\_MuD\_PhuD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_MuD_PhuD)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/78 "2004-08-18T21:44:37Z")
Drop: Rhythmic gymnastics Add: Calvin-ball If there is going to be an event where the winner is picked (seemingly) arbitrarily and the audience has absolutely no idea as to what they’re watching, it would be nice if that was built into the rules. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/79 "2004-08-18T21:49:40Z")
**Drop** : Sailing; Judo (it’s really just shirt-pulling, isn’t it?); synchronised swimming, diving, gymnastics etc (because they all require judging); anything involving live animals (e.g. horses); walking; beach volleyball; badminton. Oh, I was only supposed to pick one, was I? Then it has to be Judo. **Add** : Tug o’ War. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947/80 "2004-08-18T21:56:28Z")
> [@seosamh](#): > > **Add** : Tug o’ War. One of the titles we still hold…from 1920 😃 …along with cricket… I’d like to remove boxing, simply because I find it revolting. As for its replacement, Rugby Sevens would be brilliant. It works well in the Commonwealth Games, and it does so because it doesn’t need to be spread out across days or even weeks like other tournament games such as full scale rugby, football, tennis, etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-1-olympic-event-to-eliminate-and-one-to-add/259947.md?page=3)