# Some Olympic questions... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 29, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797 "2012-07-29T21:33:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/141 "2012-08-08T17:45:15Z")
> [@Leiko](#): > > Grey for me too. Maybe they’re red on the display at the aquatics center. That actually makes sense. Though they seem to be fairly consistent with keeping up with their special indicators - the gynastics color codes, the splashometer, etc. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/142 "2012-08-08T21:21:00Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Safety. Olympic boxers are always amateurs and wearing helmets is standard practice in amateur boxing. Only professionals box without helmets, and it’s only professional boxing we normally see televised. Back in the day though the [didn’t wear headgear](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOB7_BFqUeU) at the Olympics. I htink they came in Barcelona back in 1992. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/143 "2012-08-09T17:38:12Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > Hungary vs the Soviet Union in the 1956 Olympics: [The Blood in the Water Match](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_in_the_Water_match). I’m aware of it. It’s one of my favorite pieces of Olympic trivia. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/144 "2012-08-09T20:39:52Z")
Why the heck do they play games in some sports for 7th and 9th places (e.g. water polo, field hockey)? Who would even purchase a ticket for the 9th-10th place game in advance of the Olympics? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/145 "2012-08-09T22:00:07Z")
Because people like to know how they did in the competition, and some teams may have no legitimate shot at the medals but still like to think they were worthy of something. Because it’s an international competition, so anyone who can field a team would like the opportunity to compete. Even the swimmer guy who lived in an third world African country who practiced in hotel swimming pools and didn’t make it past the qualifying rounds, but gets to be an Olympic swimmer for his country.\* The olympics isn’t about selling tickets, it’s about getting to compete. * * * \*This is from a prior Olympics, can’t remember which. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/146 "2012-08-09T22:02:11Z")
My next question: in the beach volleyball, they kept talking about how deep the sand was. “It’s deep sand, so Misty and Kerry went to the beaches at wherever to train in the deepest sand they could find.” Eventually, comments were made that suggested this didn’t have anything to do with how much sand they used. “Yes, there’s a layer of sand 8 inches thick here, much thicker than what they carted in to Beijing to only get 3 inches.” What are they talking about, “deep sand”? ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/147 "2012-08-09T22:04:08Z")
Eric the Eel swam in Sydney. I also like the ranking games that hockey does, it gives a clear ranking of all the qualifying teams and answers the question whether one pool was significantly better or worse than the other. As to who would buy tickets, I think you get tickets for the whole morning or afternoon session, so you’ll see several games. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/148 "2012-08-10T00:03:20Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Why the heck do they play games in some sports for 7th and 9th places (e.g. water polo, field hockey)? Who would even purchase a ticket for the 9th-10th place game in advance of the Olympics? I believe that the IOC requires each sport determine rankings down to 8th place. Why they do this, I’m not sure – presumably to keep attention at least somewhat more broadly focused than the podium. > [@Irishman](#): > > My next question: in the beach volleyball, they kept talking about how deep the sand was. “It’s deep sand, so Misty and Kerry went to the beaches at wherever to train in the deepest sand they could find.” > > Eventually, comments were made that suggested this didn’t have anything to do with how much sand they used. “Yes, there’s a layer of sand 8 inches thick here, much thicker than what they carted in to Beijing to only get 3 inches.” I believe it’s the depth of the sand. 😃 Seriously, I think it’s the depth before you would get to a hard packed surface. In Beijing they just created a beach for the games, and they didn’t create it too deep. I imagine it changes your footing and what kind of digs you can get. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/149 "2012-08-10T02:57:52Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > What’s going on with the 110m hurdles this year? I watched the heats and it seemed there was a DNF in every heat. In fact of the of the [53 entrants 8 didn’t](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_110_metres_hurdles)finish or were disqualified. … Does anyone know what’s going on? I don’t know but I observed continued problems, with numerous knocked over hurdles in each round. I don’t know what’s typical, but I counted 16 down in one heat, and 19 down in another. I also saw another hamstring pull in the final. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > What happens to the toes of springboard divers? I saw footage of the German diver in the prelims who came down on his back and the commentators said something about him losing a toenail on his jump from the board. Even looked like there was blood on his foot before he hit the water. And in the finals several of the divers had toes taped up or bandaged. I think the springiness of the board makes it more likely you can catch a toe on the approach. Given the boards are roughened to provide good grip, that means sandpaper on the toes. Stub/scrape your toes in the middle of your dive, that’s gotta be distracting. > [@Cliffy](#): > > Seriously, I think it’s the depth before you would get to a hard packed surface. In Beijing they just created a beach for the games, and they didn’t create it too deep. I imagine it changes your footing and what kind of digs you can get. They said it affects ability to move and jump. Maybe it’s like springy carpet that absorbs your thrust. They said when it was raining, it packed the sand down and made it less deep, but then after it stopped, play worked it loose again. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/150 "2012-08-10T03:09:39Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > What’s going on with the 110m hurdles this year? I watched the heats and it seemed there was a DNF in every heat. In fact of the of the [53 entrants 8 didn’t](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_110_metres_hurdles)finish or were disqualified. > > Looking back at the last two Olympics this year’s attrition rate (8/53 = 15%) is far greater than that of Beijing (3/43 = 7%) or Athens (1/48 = 2%). Does anyone know what’s going on? > [@Irishman](#): > > I don’t know but I observed continued problems, with numerous knocked over hurdles in each round. I don’t know what’s typical, but I counted 16 down in one heat, and 19 down in another. I also saw another hamstring pull in the final. Besides a false start, the most common DQ in the 110/100m hurdles is the trail leg drops below the level of the hurdle and goes around the end(lane 1/2 or 8/9). It’s quite common for hurdles to be knocked over. The quickest way over is to minimize the time spent going over each hurdle. That means a very slight clearance so it’s easy to hit a hurdle if your leg is just an inch or so low. It does slow a runner down to hit a hurdle. ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/151 "2012-08-10T04:06:46Z")
When the graphic for scores is displayed during equestrian events, it usually (always?) shows a T next to the riders name: [http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/30/article-2181008-144B09FA000005DC-886\_964x527.jpg](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/30/article-2181008-144B09FA000005DC-886_964x527.jpg) What does the T represent? ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/152 "2012-08-10T04:12:40Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Because people like to know how they did in the competition, and some teams may have no legitimate shot at the medals but still like to think they were worthy of something. Because it’s an international competition, so anyone who can field a team would like the opportunity to compete… :dubious: So why don’t they have a race for the 9th through 16th spots in the 100m dash? Why don’t they hand out iron, wood and air medals? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/153 "2012-08-10T06:15:40Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Seriously, I think it’s the depth before you would get to a hard packed surface. In Beijing they just created a beach for the games, and they didn’t create it too deep. I imagine it changes your footing and what kind of digs you can get. It’s more than just depth, it can also be a result of the type of sand used. I believe finer-grained sand will end up packed more, sometimes to the point where it’s almost like a hard court. Courser-grained sand won’t pack as much normally, so you’re going to “sink” in a bit more, and generally not going to be able to jump quite as high or move as fast. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/154 "2012-08-10T11:50:36Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > The olympics isn’t about selling tickets, it’s about getting to compete. No, it’s about taking part. The only true Olympians are [Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_%22The_Eagle%22_Edwards) and people like him. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/155 "2012-08-10T12:10:07Z")
> [@aktep](#): > > When the graphic for scores is displayed during equestrian events, it usually (always?) shows a T next to the riders name: [http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/30/article-2181008-144B09FA000005DC-886\_964x527.jpg](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/30/article-2181008-144B09FA000005DC-886_964x527.jpg) > > What does the T represent? I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if it has anything to do with which riders’ scores count towards the team standings? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/156 "2012-08-10T17:27:57Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > :dubious: > > So why don’t they have a race for the 9th through 16th spots in the 100m dash? Why don’t they hand out iron, wood and air medals? 😃 It’s been answered above. The Olympics wants rankings of the top eight in all events for the record. Below that, they don’t care. Also, it’s not well known, but places four, five, and six get no medals but they do get certificates. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/157 "2012-08-10T17:34:00Z")
About the 110m hurdles - why is it 110 meters and not just a round 100? ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/158 "2012-08-10T18:14:45Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > About the 110m hurdles - why is it 110 meters and not just a round 100? Only the mens is: > **[100 metres hurdles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_metres_hurdles)** > > The 100 metres hurdles, or 100-meter hurdles, is a track and field event run mainly by women (the male counterpart is the 110 metres hurdles). For the race, ten hurdles of a height of 33 inches (83.8 cm) are placed along a straight course of 100 metres (109.36 yd). The first hurdle is placed after a run-up of 13 metres from the starting line. The next 9 hurdles are set at a distance of 8.5 metres from each other, and the home stretch from the last hurdle to the finish line is 10.5 metres long. ... ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/159 "2012-08-10T19:51:35Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > It’s been answered above. The Olympics wants rankings of the top eight in all events for the record… Agreed. The post that I questioned was written as if it was a fact. With the ‘Top 8’ ranking goal, it still doesn’t explain why they would play 9-10 game. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797/160 "2012-08-10T20:18:23Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > It does slow a runner down to hit a hurdle. It can also trip them up. Witness what happened to Lo Lo Jones in Beijing. She was leading the pack and on her way to Gold when she hit the last hurdle, and the stumble she took was just enough to take her from the front to the back of the pack. Which is why the best way to assure you complete the race is to make sure you clear the hurdles. I still don’t know how common it is to knock them down. I know it isn’t a DQ in itself, but still risky to rely on powering through. > [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > So why don’t they have a race for the 9th through 16th spots in the 100m dash? Every sport has its own standards for how to compete. For track events, there are a certain number of lanes for the final race. Nobody below that performance can qualify for the top slots. There are rules on how to take the entrants and qualify them and then pare them down to the final 8. IOC says they have to keep track of 1 through 8. Ergo, there’s no gain to a 9 through 16 place race. You got knocked out in the heats. > [@Floater](#): > > No, it’s about taking part. The only true Olympians are [Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_%22The_Eagle%22_Edwards) and people like him. I think you’re quibbling over words rather than meaning. > [@Svejk\_1](#): > > About the 110m hurdles - why is it 110 meters and not just a round 100? The hurdle race was originally 120 yards. It was later rounded to 110 m when switching units. > **[110 metres hurdles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/110_metres_hurdles)** > > The 110 metres hurdles, or 110-metre hurdles, is a hurdling track and field event for men. It is included in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympic Games. The female counterpart is the 100 metres hurdles. As part of a racing event, ten hurdles of 42 inches (106.7 cm) in height are evenly spaced along a straight course of 110 metres. They are positioned so that they will fall over if bumped into by the runner. Fallen hurdles do not carry a fixed time penalty for the runners, but they have a... > [@](#): > > The first standards were attempted in 1864 in [Oxford](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford) and [Cambridge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge,_Cambridgeshire): The length of the course was set to 120 yards (109.7 m) and over its course, runners were required to clear ten 3 foot 6 inch (1.07 m) high hurdles. The height and spacing of the hurdles have been related to [Imperial units](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_units) ever since. After the length of the course was rounded up to 110 metres in France in 1888, the standards were pretty much complete (except for Germany where 1 metre high hurdles were used until 1907). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-olympic-questions/629797.md?page=9)