# Summer Olympics 2021 ongoing discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [July 23, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137 "2021-07-23T12:00:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/101 "2021-07-25T16:40:20Z")
Well, its Official. I’m really tired of the constant, same commercials being run over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over. Toyota, I’m not going to start my impossible. That sounds like a real stupid thing to do and a waste of time. And a fancy tail-gate ain’t gonna make me buy a truck. Hell, the only reason I have for a giant truck is to haul my camper, and you gotta take the tailgate off for that! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/102 "2021-07-25T16:41:02Z")
Too few. There were long stretches of the race where the only humans beside the riders were organizers. Its always fun to see fans cheering on the riders. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/103 "2021-07-25T16:41:57Z")
That was an exciting ending if the women’s road race, and crazy that the van vleuten thought she won. Canoeing / kayaking looks quite refreshing. Do they have sye added to the water , it looks very blue. ---
**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 25, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/104 "2021-07-25T16:47:16Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > It’ll be a while, I think. It’s Paris, Los Angeles, and then Brisbane, Australia. I don’t think they’d have a second consecutive Olympics in the Asia Pacific region which is inconvenient for live television in Europe and North America. Maybe 2036 goes to Canada? Or maybe they’ll take another shot with a developing country? I hope not, given the Rio disaster but we shall see. Awarding another Games to Tokyo wouldn’t be totally without precedent. Innsbruck hosted the Winter Games in 1964, and again in 1976. Denver was originally scheduled to host in 1976, but opted out in '72. I assume Innsbruck became the replacement because they already had all the infrastructure. As to hosting the Winter Games vs. the Summer, there’s an awful lot of expensive facilities needed in the winter, and you can’t repurposed a bobsled track or a ski jump into something else. > [@N9IWP](#): > > Kiesenhofer won the women’s cycling road race by so much that Annemiek van Vleuten, the silver medalist, thought she won. Kiesenhofer was the only Austrian in the race, and the first to win cycling Gold since 1896. An amazing ride; she looked exhausted after she finished. Hell, I get tired just watching. And that’s not a typo, either; it really was 1 **8** 96 for Austria’s last medal in cycling. ---
**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 25, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/105 "2021-07-25T16:54:57Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Well, its Official. I’m really tired of the constant, same commercials being run over and over. > [@](#): > > And a fancy tail-gate ain’t gonna make me buy a truck. I’m not gonna buy a truck either, but I like the commercial with the cat. > [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Canoeing / kayaking looks quite refreshing. Do they have sye added to the water , it looks very blue. It’s a good event, but I feel like the Olympics need to find some way to reign in the extravagance. It must cost tens of millions to build that artificial whitewater course. What, did they not have a river somewhere they could use? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/106 "2021-07-25T16:57:01Z")
I can’t remember the year, but a Greek runner won a medal (Gold??) in 200m (or some other short race). The comment was “That’s the first Greek sprint win in over 1000 years” (or something like that) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/107 "2021-07-25T16:58:07Z")
I just looked up the course, 283 million for the while rowing/canoeing/kayaking complex I guess the artificial course is more consistent with water flow than the natural courses , unless it was controlled by a dam I guess. ---
**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 25, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/108 "2021-07-25T17:01:18Z")
I suppose the whitewater course could be opened to the public after the games. I know it looks like fun to me, and I’ve only got limited experience with whitewater rafting. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/109 "2021-07-25T17:09:17Z")
I used to white water kayak when I was 13-18, it’s a lot of fun, I still remember the excitement of being able to do my first recovery roll which opened up being able to get onto more serious water. The book chronicling the first descent of the dudh kosi river down Everest is a great read. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/110 "2021-07-25T17:10:28Z")
Ok the individual trick on the skateboarding is a bit more exciting than the snooze fest of the 45 second runs they had last night. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/111 "2021-07-25T17:14:19Z")
Are there any tricks that actually involve stairs (there are plenty that involve the railing). Other than tradition and that they are emulating real places I’m not sure what the purpose of the stairs on the skateboard course are… Brian ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/112 "2021-07-25T17:41:43Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > As to hosting the Winter Games vs. the Summer, there’s an awful lot of expensive facilities needed in the winter, and you can’t repurposed a bobsled track or a ski jump into something else. Not true; the city of Sarajevo was able to repurpose a lot of that into good cover against people shooting at them. (Sorry. Probably still too soon for that joke). I am watching _so much handball_. Men’s _and_ women’s. I’m pulling for Sweden in the men’s competition, and France in women’s. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/113 "2021-07-25T18:09:20Z")
Wow. Skateboarding. Something I can hate in the Summer as much as Half-pipe in the Winter. Like somebody said above, how many different ways can you slide down a rail? I don’t care what kind of silly names you call it, its still sliding down a rail. I’m having a hard time finding anything I want to watch. ---
**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 25, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/114 "2021-07-25T18:33:41Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > I just looked up the course, 283 million for the while rowing/canoeing/kayaking complex It sounds like that might include the rowing venue, as well. > [@](#): > > I guess the artificial course is more consistent with water flow than the natural courses , unless it was controlled by a dam I guess. A purpose-built course is probably the ideal; lets them move gates and obstacles, control the water flow, and make everything perfect. But as I said, I think the increasing extravagance is hurting the Olympics, and scaring cities away from hosting. Boston prepared a bid to host the 2024 Games, and was going to be the official U.S. bid, but was voted down by local residents. And because of all the colleges here, Boston already had a lot of venues that could be used. I’ve been wondering if they could contain costs a bit by extending the length of the Games. If they were extended to a month, they wouldn’t need so many different venues; have the basketball for two weeks, then gymnastics in the same building for the next two weeks. ---
**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 25, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/115 "2021-07-25T18:40:18Z")
I don’t think the basketball/gymnastics type of venue is the issue (as this sort of arena is probably already present in most areas or at least would be useful after). But a velodrome? A whitewater course (whatever the technical term is for that)? A pool suitable for high diving? For that matter, a pool suitable for swim competitions with large numbers of bleacher seats? Many are not needed any longer. If you go back and look at Rio, or Athens or even Beijing, many venues remain unused or are even decaying. BTW, my understanding is that both the Los Angeles and Brisbane bids assumed the use of existing venues, meaning they think they can hold down costs. ---
**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 25, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/116 "2021-07-25T18:58:13Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I don’t think the basketball/gymnastics type of venue is the issue (as this sort of arena is probably already present in most areas or at least would be useful after). Lots of places have one, but to host the Olympics you need at least two. Basketball and gymnastics are happening at the same time. Add in rhythmic gymnastics, badminton, boxing, fencing, karate, judo, handball, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, trampoline, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling; you need an awful lot of indoor venues. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/117 "2021-07-25T18:59:15Z")
In general, I would say that the continued dominance of the US women’s soccer team and men’s basketball team is bad for their respective sports; parity is always good. So the loss to France today is a good thing. ---
**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 25, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/118 "2021-07-25T19:02:00Z")
The two venues don’t need to be in the same city. I think they’re open to having some venues in another city. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/119 "2021-07-25T19:09:03Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > BTW, my understanding is that both the Los Angeles and Brisbane bids assumed the use of existing venues, meaning they think they can hold down costs. I’ve been on quite a few tours of London , both in person and virtual, and the guides always point out what was built for the Olympics and repurposed. London definitely did the Olympics right ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2021, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/120 "2021-07-25T19:12:11Z")
But then if the city wants to reuse one or two venues for all of the indoor sports, they’d have to extend the games out for _months_, during which they’d still have to pay for the athletes’ lodging costs at the Olympic Village. The IOC could, of course, mitigate this by requiring the athletes to arrive so-and-so number of days before their events start and then immediately leave when they win or are eliminated, but I predict this will not go over well with the other countries. Another issue is that if the Olympics were extended to a month or more, the broadcasting networks will have a very real problem of “viewer fatigue” setting in after the first 2 - 3 weeks. I still like my proposals from a [previous post of mine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-japan-cancels-the-olympics/943038/86) the best: > [@](#): > > - A whole country bidding for the Olympics, but with multiple cities within that country hosting different events > - Multiple countries forming a “consortium” and bidding as one unit, sharing costs between them [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=7)