# Random Olympic pittings **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 27, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428 "2021-07-27T14:47:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/121 "2021-07-29T14:35:43Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Liechtenstein has actually won several Olympic medals — all in Alpine skiing. I wanna see them take Olympic gold in basketball, even they need a trampoline like the mascots use to dunk. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/122 "2021-07-29T14:50:13Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > It does appear that the consensus is that the pressure on these athletes is worse than it has been previously. What do you think can be done to help this? I think a lot of the pressure comes from internet sports-hero worship and the intense weight put on the athlete to please their fans, their family, their team, their country, etc. It is good to see athletes unafraid to sit-out to avoid injury (mental or physical). Used to be you were just expected to tough it out and to hell with your mind/body. Biles has got some guts and a lot of uncommon sense. _What do you think can be done to help this?_ Exactly what Biles did. When more athletes decide to protect themselves and their future health that will set an example that it’s ok to protect your health, _Wheaties_ and medals be damned. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/123 "2021-07-29T15:05:48Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > A person can legitimately earn and retain your undying respect and still be called out for a time they came up short…. > It’s not too hard. Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She also had one episode where she badly let her team down. Dude… She was apparently injured. She was not healthy enough to compete, or so it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/124 "2021-07-29T15:10:28Z")
That’s one reason for that. You really think it’s the biggest one? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/125 "2021-07-29T15:29:08Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > A person can legitimately earn and retain your undying respect and still be called out for a time they came up short…. > It’s not too hard. Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She also had one episode where she badly let her team down. It’s very possible indeed likely in future events she leads her team to victory. I know it’s been pointed out to you earlier, but maybe, just maybe, you should read this article. It might help you change your mind. > **[Elite gymnasts say Simone Biles is lucky she didn't blow her knee on the vault...](https://news.yahoo.com/elite-gymnasts-simone-biles-lucky-172543808.html)** > > The fact that Simone Biles got lost in the air and still landed is a testament to her skill as an athlete — and an important reason to take time off. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/126 "2021-07-29T15:44:26Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I think a lot of the pressure comes from internet sports-hero worship and the intense weight put on the athlete to please their fans, their family, their team, their country, etc. I think you spelled “sponsors” wrong. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/127 "2021-07-29T15:50:43Z")
Why would you need to be half nude to play that? Beach Volleyball has practical reasons, sand gets everywhere and they play in rain. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/128 "2021-07-29T16:09:34Z")
It’s beach handball, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/129 "2021-07-29T16:11:18Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Gold medals are silver with a gold plating on them. They don’t want people to be tempted to melt them down. Because silver isn’t valuable?! I’m surprised it’s not gold-plated aluminum or some other non-precious metal. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2021, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/130 "2021-07-29T16:13:36Z")
I’m pretty sure the silver medals are mostly sliver, and worth about $500 melt value. You can’t (or maybe shouldn’t) have the gold medals be worth less than the silver ones. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/131 "2021-07-29T16:16:49Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They even [walk on water.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX7t31jtJEM) Whoa, that is freaking amazing. Synchronized swimming has never done much for me, but I’m suddenly thinking that if it were all shown upside-down, it might be my favorite Olympic sport. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/132 "2021-07-29T16:18:33Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > She’ll need a better explanation to change my mind Why do you think she owes you any explanation at all? Why should she care about changing your mind? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/133 "2021-07-29T16:23:51Z")
Well sure, but in that case just make all of the medals be plated (though I don’t think bronze is that valuable melted down). I just checked on prices of scrap metal… Gold is anywhere between $567 per ounce to over $1,600 per ounce depending on purity (US dollars). Silver is between $10-25 per ounce, again depending on purity. So yeah, that is a lot cheaper I admit, and plating silver makes a huge difference, I can see why they do it now. Bronze is between 8-10 cents per ounce so of course not very valuable at all.; a pound of bronze is maybe $1.50. Sorry about the tangent though I guess you could call this a minor Pitting of the medals so it’s sort-of on-topic. 🙂 ---
**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:** [July 29, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/134 "2021-07-29T16:36:25Z")
From the official page: Gold: more than 6 grams of gold plating on pure silver Silver: pure silver Bronze: red brass (95% copper and 5% zinc) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/135 "2021-07-29T17:10:29Z")
Here’s a decision tree/flowchart that will help Simone Biles critics determine if thay have the right to criticize her decision. [![](https://edge.mcsw.net/mcsweeneys/vd2fcj19ptsueqbhue8f6xhjv6k9) ](https://edge.mcsw.net/mcsweeneys/vd2fcj19ptsueqbhue8f6xhjv6k9) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/136 "2021-07-29T17:14:58Z")
This is excellent. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/137 "2021-07-29T17:22:11Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Beach Volleyball has practical reasons, sand gets everywhere and they play in rain. I know a bikini is always my first choice for rainwear… And do these “practical reasons” not also apply to the men? I think it’s the height of disingenuousness to pretend it’s about anything other than the male gaze. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/138 "2021-07-29T18:01:09Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > How else do you suggest they enjoy the chocolate filling? You think the IOC wouldn’t leap at the chance to use less metal? > [@Atamasama](#): > > Because silver isn’t valuable?! > > I’m surprised it’s not gold-plated aluminum or some other non-precious metal. Yeah, the Olympics are well known for economizing and running things on a shoestring budget. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/139 "2021-07-29T18:05:44Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I think it’s the height of disingenuousness to pretend it’s about anything other than the male gaze. The women have a range of options for uniforms. Many teams choose the bikinis because they like them better. Some women’s teams wear shorts and shirts but the majority seem to prefer the bikinis. It seems counter-intuitive to me as well, but that’s what they choose. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428/140 "2021-07-29T18:11:55Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > Because silver isn’t valuable?! > > > > > I’m surprised it’s not gold-plated aluminum or some other non-precious metal. > > Yeah, the Olympics are well known for economizing and running things on a shoestring budget. I doubt the IOC is even responsible; my guess is the host city is expected to pay for this (though it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall costs). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-olympic-pittings/947428.md?page=8)