# Worst Olympic Sports
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [July 31, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001 "2012-07-31T23:06:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 5
### Author:  [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/81 "2012-08-01T20:16:19Z")
> [@Ximenean](#):
>
> It is true, in a way; the British coined the term “soccer” and still use it regularly, and British people saved their own country in WW2 (with huge help from Americans, Canadians, Russians, etc.)
The parenthesis COMPLETELY NEGATES the 1st half of your statment!
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### Author:  [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/82 "2012-08-01T20:18:42Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#):
>
> I actually kind of like handball. Its a sport where the primary defensive move is to draw a foul from the ref - all it does it give the ball back to the team on offense and reset everyone.
Totally with you! The last Olympics got me into it.
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/83 "2012-08-01T20:26:41Z")
> [@etv78](#):
>
> I understand that you ended your post with a wink, but PLEASE get this through your skull: The people who call football soccer are the people who saved you from annahilation, many times. ANd allow you to have the wonderful health care and work conditions you so enjoy! Show some appreciation! (Sorry, I just couldn’t let this attitude go unchallegened again)
Thank you for your service.
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### Author:  [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/84 "2012-08-01T20:39:26Z")
> [@etv78](#):
>
> The parenthesis COMPLETELY NEGATES the 1st half of your statment!
I don’t see why it does. You’re the one making absolute statements implying that the USA single-handedly saved the world.
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### Author:  [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/85 "2012-08-01T20:46:54Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#):
>
> The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius meaning, of course, Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Work it harder make it better do it faster makes us stronger more than ever hour after hour work is never over…
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### Author:  [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/86 "2012-08-01T20:56:51Z")
> [@hogarth](#):
>
> I think the least legitimate Olympic events are (a) judged events, (b) horse events, and (c) synchronized anything.
So the trifecta of bad Olympic events would be synchronized dressage.
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### Author:  [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/87 "2012-08-01T20:58:47Z")
Synchronized is silly - why not have synchronized everything? Synchronized Pole Vaulting? Synchronized Marathon? And how about 3 instead of 2, or even 4, or 5…?
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### Author:  [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/88 "2012-08-01T21:06:21Z")
> [@runner pat](#):
>
> Most of the track & field program, cycling gymnastics, wrestling, just to name a few.
Rowing would also be pretty tough to do while smoking.
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### Author:  [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/89 "2012-08-01T21:12:42Z")
If ever there was a monument to pointless distinction, it must surely be the shooting events.
10 meter air pistol, 10 meter air rifle, 25 meter pistol, 25 meter rapid fire pistol, 50 meter prone position, 50 meter 3 position, both skeet _and_ trap… Why don’t we just add 35 and 70 meter quick-draw and 50 meter firing from a lawn chair?
And If that’s not absurd enough, let’s consider the fact that a gold medal in 25 meter rapid fire pistol is worth the same in the medal count as a gold in the marathon, or 100 meter sprint or gymnastics all-around.
Plus, why can’t men and women compete against each other in these events? What advantage could one gender possibly have over the other?
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/90 "2012-08-01T21:20:02Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#):
>
> Rowing would also be pretty tough to do while smoking.
There are possibilities for a particularly laid-back cox to light a cigar on the run in. The actual oarspeople, yes, that’s tricky.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/91 "2012-08-01T21:26:21Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#):
>
> If ever there was a monument to pointless distinction, it must surely be the shooting events.
>
> 10 meter air pistol, 10 meter air rifle, 25 meter pistol, 25 meter rapid fire pistol, 50 meter prone position, 50 meter 3 position, both skeet _and_ trap… Why don’t we just add 35 and 70 meter quick-draw and 50 meter firing from a lawn chair?
>
> And If that’s not absurd enough, let’s consider the fact that a gold medal in 25 meter rapid fire pistol is worth the same in the medal count as a gold in the marathon, or 100 meter sprint or gymnastics all-around.
>
> Plus, why can’t men and women compete against each other in these events? What advantage could one gender possibly have over the other?
The rifles and pistols can be very heavy up to 18 lbs for the men. Muscle strength and endurance come into play in the kneeling and standing positions . Even the air rifles can be up to 12 lbs. Pistols are around three pounds and are fired one handed at full arms length.
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### Author:  [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/92 "2012-08-01T21:33:43Z")
> [@runner pat](#):
>
> The rifles and pistols can be very heavy up to 18 lbs for the men. Muscle strength and endurance come into play in the kneeling and standing positions . Even the air rifles can be up to 12 lbs. Pistols are around three pounds and are fired one handed at full arms length.
Fair enough, if the men are more accurate. Do you know if they are?
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### Author:  [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/93 "2012-08-01T21:34:37Z")
> [@Ximenean](#):
>
> I don’t see why it does. You’re the one making absolute statements implying that the USA single-handedly saved the world.
Hitler overran most of Europe, and the only reason Britain survived is because our help was UNconstitutional! (not saying we shoudln’t have done it, but merely it’s illegality) WWI was a bloody stalemate until we entered the war. Our Cold War defense spending allowed Europe to have the ridiculously high standard of living they enjoyed.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/94 "2012-08-01T21:44:43Z")
> [@Victor\_Charlie](#):
>
> Fair enough, if the men are more accurate. Do you know if they are?
The women’s course of fire is fewer shots in the same time period giving a bit longer recovery time between shots. (For air rifle/pistol.)
[Olympic Shooting](http://www.london2012.com/shooting/)
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### Author:  [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/95 "2012-08-01T21:55:28Z")
> [@runner pat](#):
>
> The women’s course of fire is fewer shots in the same time period giving a bit longer recovery time between shots. (For air rifle/pistol.)
>
> [Olympic Shooting](http://www.london2012.com/shooting/)
I want to see someone win the gold by using the [kill shot](http://bossip.com/596886/shooting-and-murder-at-funeral-in-atlanta-video69691/) method.
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### Author:  [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/96 "2012-08-01T22:55:38Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#):
>
> Tug-of-war was an event in every Summer Olympic games [from 1900 to 1920](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tug_of_war_at_the_Summer_Olympics).
Yes, but could you imagine the Men’s Finals in Tug of War that featured the Israeli national team going up against Iran for the Gold Medal?
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### Author:  [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/97 "2012-08-01T22:58:23Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Sorry, curling is the Donna Jean Godchaux.
On this I guess we will disagree…
Happy Jerry’s Birthday!
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### Author:  [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/98 "2012-08-01T23:44:48Z")
I like rhythmic gymnastics, I have no problems at all with judge-scored sports as opposed to games and races. I’m even ok with synchronized swimming. But synchronized diving is just dumb. That, right there, is where I draw the line.
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### Author:  [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/99 "2012-08-02T02:13:39Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#):
>
> So the trifecta of bad Olympic events would be synchronized dressage.
It’s almost perfect, but it’s missing the aspect of “racing where you have to do a funny move instead of a regular move”. So maybe it should be synchronized racedressage.
Now how many weight categories should there be? Eight? Ten?
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### Author:  [@Snupzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snupzilla)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-olympic-sports/630001/100 "2012-08-02T02:54:14Z")
Diving, especially Sync Diving. It’s subjectively judged, lasts a second or two, and is not all that beautiful or in any way interesting.
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