# Synchronized diving. Why not synchronized track & field? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 21, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748 "2008-08-21T00:58:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/41 "2008-08-22T06:24:27Z")
[QUOTE=DesertDog] Ah, back to the basics. [_Citius, Altius, Fortius_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_motto#Motto) [/QUOTE] You do realise the Olympics are a competition don’t you? ETA: Unless you were being sarcastic. In which case… nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/42 "2008-08-22T14:38:13Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t fight the hypothetical] You do realise the Olympics are a competition don’t you? ETA: Unless you were being sarcastic. In which case… nevermind. [/QUOTE] I wasn’t being sarcastic, at all, **hyp**. To use the part of **Hampshire** ’s post that I clipped, > [@Hampshire](#): > > If I had my way I would get rid of all events that use judges and scoring. > They turn out to just be a set of “moves”, “tricks”, or “stunts”. > This goes for things like sync-swimming, gymnastics, figure skating, sno-board half-pipe, etc, etc. The second part I _did_ quote struck me as being remarkably close the original Olympics motto, (translated) Faster, Higher, Stronger. So, track and field, swimming, and baseball are in. Gymnastics, diving, and boxing are out. I in fact, kind of agree with the sentiment, but the TV mavens would have a stroke. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/43 "2008-08-23T22:26:56Z")
[QUOTE=DesertDog] I wasn’t being sarcastic, at all, **hyp**. To use the part of **Hampshire** ’s post that I clipped, The second part I _did_ quote struck me as being remarkably close the original Olympics motto, (translated) Faster, Higher, Stronger. So, track and field, swimming, and baseball are in. Gymnastics, diving, and boxing are out. I in fact, kind of agree with the sentiment, but the TV mavens would have a stroke. [/QUOTE] I tend to agree on the judging issue. Time has proven that it is so corrupt that it seems impossible to clean it up. As for boxing I tend toward giving it a pass just because judging is there as a safety factor. If you get rid of boxing you have to get rid of wrestling which is to some degree a core sport in Olympic competition. (Note the controversy in Greco-Roman wrestling this year where the competitor was DQ’d for throwing down his bronze medal at the ceremony. Back to synchronized swimming. It’s a demonstration, not a sport. It has no more merit as a competitive sport than a slam-dunk contest or Home Run Derby. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/44 "2008-08-23T23:40:59Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] I prefer events where the winner is measured by fastest, furthest, highest, closest, or points are scored by doing one of the former. [/QUOTE] A fairly prominent member of this message board has argued that sprinting and high jump are not real sports. You can find anyone who’ll say that something isn’t a sport. What gets sports into the Olympics is their international federations and how much pull they have with the IOC. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/45 "2008-08-24T06:35:25Z")
Pure running is the only “real” sport by these definitions. Everything else is either “tricks” or “do this normal thing with this impediment.” (i.e. put the ball in the goal- without using your hands! Get from one end of the field to the other, jumping over stuff!" I never got “this shouldn’t be in the Olympics” elitism. It’s not like the gods of Olympus _actually_ created the rules for the Olympics. It’s a human event by and for humans, and naturally these humans include things they enjoy, even if it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/46 "2008-08-24T06:59:08Z")
My completely irrational method of determing what should be in the Olympics: I like rhythmic gymnastics more than artistic gymnastics. Plus the former guarantees a steady supply of performers for Cirque du Soleil shows. So rhythmic should be kept and artistic tossed and we’ll let those girls grow up without being put through the abusive ringer. The woman NBC had doing commentary for diving has a voice that sounds exactly like Nancy Grace. The sound of Nancy Grace’s voice instantly fills me with rage. Therefore all of the Olympic diving coverage filled me with rage. Therefore I wish it into the cornfield. Swimming is good. But the different strokes are just stupid. Just set up 8 races: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1600m, 3200m, English Channel. However one can cover the distance in each race is up to the individual swimmers. The 50m breast stroke is essentially the same as the track and field 100m dash but you have to wave your hands above your head while running and considering it a different event. If you’re in a canoe, you’re not involved in a sport. It is definitely an upside down world when there are 12 gold medals to be won by canoes than by football. In a just world, badminton would be the king of Olympic sports. If the sport your involved is best performed by the pre-pubescent then you’re not involved in a sport, you’re involved in a playground game. Pubic hair should not be a competitive disadvantage. In the end though, since I am only going to watch about 6 hours total I figure everybody can have whatever sport they want and I’ll just reserve the right to make fun of some of them. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/47 "2008-08-24T08:01:19Z")
[QUOTE=obfusciatrist] The 50m breast stroke is essentially the same as the track and field 100m dash but you have to **wave your hands above your head while running** and considering it a different event. [/QUOTE] …and if they also had to shout “Ooblie ooblie ooblie!” while they were running, I would _totally_ watch it. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/48 "2008-08-24T09:36:01Z")
[QUOTE=obfusciatrist] Pubic hair should not be a competitive disadvantage. [/QUOTE] Okay, but too much is a complete fashion no-no. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/49 "2008-08-24T17:01:10Z")
[QUOTE=obfusciatrist] (snip) The 50m breast stroke is essentially the same as the track and field 100m dash but you have to wave your hands above your head while running and considering it a different event. (snip) [/QUOTE] There are some of those. Ever seen the 100 m hurdles? Or the steeple-chase? Or the “walking” events? ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/50 "2008-08-24T17:32:01Z")
[QUOTE=DiggitCamara] Or the “walking” events? [/QUOTE] Ooooohhh. “Race” walking. Why? The competitors look like they might dislocate every joint south of their breastbone with every step. Like Nascar with a rule stating that you can’t shift out of first. Need to spice things up for race walking. Give the walkers some weapons that they can use on other walkers. Taser, mace, ball bearings… ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/51 "2008-08-24T17:46:22Z")
[QUOTE=qwest] Need to spice things up for race walking. Give the walkers some weapons that they can use on other walkers. Taser, mace, ball bearings… [/QUOTE] That’s _almost_ at modern penthathalon, a.k.a. “pirate training”. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/52 "2008-08-24T18:02:00Z")
Here’s a sport that I would watch. [Chess Boxing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_boxing) I shit you not. > [@](#): > > Competitors may win by knockout, checkmate, a judge’s decision or if their opponent’s twelve minutes of chess time elapses. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/53 "2008-08-24T18:11:00Z")
[QUOTE=robby] I can’t believe that [Rhythmic Gymnastics](http://www.nbcolympics.com/rhythmicgymnastics/insidethissport/index.html) is still in the Olympics. I remember when it debuted in the 1984 Olympics, and it was roundly mocked even then. Until I looked it up, I haven’t heard about it since then, and figured they had dropped it. [/QUOTE] It’s pretty big in Japan at least. I presume it’s popular in China and Russia as well. Countries which aren’t fond of that whole sexual equality thing find it to be an ideal sport for women. All the other ones are too masculine. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/54 "2008-08-24T18:45:02Z")
okay, folks…why limit this thread to the summer olympics? 'Cause if you want stupid…look at the winter sports: Two-man luge: Huh? It’s two grown men laying on top of each other on top of a child’s sled. Four-man bobsled: four people crouching inside a box.The 1st guy in the front steers, the last guy in the back operates the brake—SO _what the fuck are the 2 guys in the middle doing_? Well, I’ll tell you what they’re doing: they’re crouching down inside a box! And that’s a world-class athletic ability that I’m supposed to respect… ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/55 "2008-08-24T19:01:25Z")
[QUOTE=qwest] Ooooohhh. “Race” walking. Why? The competitors look like they might dislocate every joint south of their breastbone with every step. Like Nascar with a rule stating that you can’t shift out of first. Need to spice things up for race walking. Give the walkers some weapons that they can use on other walkers. Taser, mace, ball bearings… [/QUOTE] Worst of all: the walkers are supposed to keep always one foot on the ground. You could, of course, do it electronically. But no. You have to rely on judges who, of course, are always fair-minded and would never disqualify anyone who is threatening to win, over the local guy or over one of the favorites! Just the other day I was watching one of those races and, even though it seemed the leading walker was obeying the rules, just when he entered the tunnel to the stadium he lost it. It was obvious he was elated and just as obvious that he was "floating (no foot on the ground at some times). It would have been absolutely unfair to disqualify him, since his competition was a minute behind him and certainly wouldn’t catch up. At the same time he should have been disqualified. Stupid sport. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/56 "2008-08-26T08:24:30Z")
Why should any sport go? Why are people bothered by certain sports in the Olympics? Why wouldn’t the Ideal Olympics have 500+ events? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/57 "2008-08-26T13:02:48Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog] The synchronized pole vault would be particularly interesting. [/QUOTE] It would probably be the 69th most popular sport. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/58 "2008-08-26T19:35:51Z")
[My favorite Olympics (-ish) story.](http://www.izix.com/stan/index.php?chapter=13&column=1) It doesn’t have only actual Olympic sports, but synchronization comes into it. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/59 "2008-08-26T22:02:03Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] [My favorite Olympics (-ish) story.](http://www.izix.com/stan/index.php?chapter=13&column=1) It doesn’t have only actual Olympic sports, but synchronization comes into it. [/QUOTE] The moral of the story: Darts is the only true sport. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748/60 "2008-08-28T15:03:18Z")
I think it would be pretty incredible watching say,synch 100 metres sprint or long jump,lets do it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synchronized-diving-why-not-synchronized-track-field/460748.md?page=4)