Paris 2024 Olympics thread (the opening ceremony is Friday) on NBC/USA network/Peacock and other NBC Universal stations.

[RedAngie]

They dropped karate????

I didn’t even know it used to be on the program.

I hope baseball/softball returns in 2028 in LA. Enough countries play them to have legitimate tournaments.

 

[RedAngie]

I think it is funny that they add skateboarding so the US can win more medals, and Japan dominates

The Winter Olympics have added many “X games” events to improve the previously rather embarrassing medal hauls of the US and Canada.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Oh yes, the old argument about how to count medals and keep score in a competition for medal count by country that doesn't even exist. And what do you get when you win this competition that doesn't exist and there are no actual rules for? Do you get another gold medal for winning the gold medal count? No. Do you get a combo 3 piece medal for winning total medal count? No. YOU GET NOTHING!!! GOOD DAY SIR!!!

So we're arguing over a competition that isn't a competition. Let us examine.

Which country did better?
A. One gold, nothing else.
B. 15 silvers and 26 bronzes.

Anyone with at least two functioning brain cells would say B. So clearly then it is incorrect to say we should always count by golds. I've heard a lot of talk about how 2nd place doesn't count blah blah blah. Really? And how many people saying that have been 2nd or 3rd in the world in anything. How many people saying that have even been to a genuine world's championship in anything?

Let's go to the other end of the spectrum. Which country did better?
A 31 golds, total of 31.
B. 32 bronzes total of 32.

Anyone with at least two functioning brain cells would say A. So clearly then it is incorrect to say we should always count by total.

Well then, how bout a point system? Well it doesn't take much to figure out that people will devise point systems where their favored country comes out on top all the while claiming it's "objective." So that's a no go too.

So how bout we just celebrate our winning athletes and not make up competitions where there are none. This whole obsession with medal count by country became such with the cold war anyway. And countries became so obsessed with it they developed national programs of pumping their athletes full of steroids and other performance enhancers. Some did monstrous things to their own citizens for medal counts. And some still do. So how bout we just pump the brakes on that sort of thing?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I think it is funny that they add skateboarding so the US can win more medals, and Japan dominates

I think it's funny that you think they added skateboarding so the U.S. could win more medals. In fact, most U.S. boarders wanted it not to be. They thought going mainstream was sort of a sell out to the sport.

They dropped karate????

I didn’t even know it used to be on the program.

I hope baseball/softball returns in 2028 in LA. Enough countries play them to have legitimate tournaments.

Softball is returning. But it won't be played in LA. It will actually be played in Oklahoma City. In today's climate, it just makes sense to save money and hold events in existing facilities. The baseball venue hasn't been determined but there are three very good facilities to play it.

 

[declansdad]

Does Breakdancing even appeal to a younger demographic though? I mean, all us 80's kids are pretty old now! Have any of these youngsters even seen Breakin' or even Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo?

Many of the competitors are in their 20s.

They dropped karate????

I didn’t even know it used to be on the program.

I hope baseball/softball returns in 2028 in LA. Enough countries play them to have legitimate tournaments.

Karate was only in for 2020. Baseball/softball are back in 2028.

The Winter Olympics have added many “X games” events to improve the previously rather embarrassing medal hauls of the US and Canada.

That is not why they were added at all. They were added for the same reason sports like skateboarding, breaking and surfing are there now.

 

[Kennywood]

Well, it's about time they added break dancing to the Olympics.....

(Fingers crossed for underwater basket weaving.....)

 

[CynBeth]

I like the fact they are showing more actual events and cut way back on the up and personal stories. Also OMG, Paris really highlights what beautiful locations they have , did anyone watch the equestrian at Versailles. LA will have Inglewood, not a good comp. Also glad to see we don't break down women vs men metals, because that would make our men look real bad

I saw a bit of the equestrian. I loved having it there.

 

[longboard55]

I think it's funny that you think they added skateboarding so the U.S. could win more medals. In fact, most U.S. boarders wanted it not to be. They thought going mainstream was sort of a sell out to the sport.


Softball is returning. But it won't be played in LA. It will actually be played in Oklahoma City. In today's climate, it just makes sense to save money and hold events in existing facilities. The baseball venue hasn't been determined but there are three very good facilities to play it.

LA is pretty set with facilities, I would think a new pool is about all they need. Latest addition being the clippers new arena which is looking pretty awesome. Even housing, both USC and UCLA are loaded with student housing.

 

[Planogirl]

I don’t mind the extra events because I can always skip those I don’t like. I skip many of the older sports as it is lol because I find them dull.

I watched some of the skateboarding. I actually enjoyed it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

LA is pretty set with facilities, I would think a new pool is about all they need. Latest addition being the clippers new arena which is looking pretty awesome. Even housing, both USC and UCLA are loaded with student housing.

Ironically, though they have softball fields all over the place, they don't have an Olympic type facility. Maybe Oklahoma City put some cash up. And they do have the facility. Oklahoma City is also hosting canoe. To me, if I'm a player, I'd want to be in LA for the whole experience rather than half way across the country.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I’m pretty sure the top 5 countries in the medal standings would remain the same no matter what system is used. Maybe 3 would switch with 4, etc. but nothing major.

The biggest effect would be in the middle of the pack and below.

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh yes, the old argument about how to count medals and keep score in a competition for medal count by country that doesn't even exist. And what do you get when you win this competition that doesn't exist and there are no actual rules for? Do you get another gold medal for winning the gold medal count? No. Do you get a combo 3 piece medal for winning total medal count? No. YOU GET NOTHING!!! GOOD DAY SIR!!!

So we're arguing over a competition that isn't a competition. Let us examine.

Which country did better?
A. One gold, nothing else.
B. 15 silvers and 26 bronzes.

Anyone with at least two functioning brain cells would say B. So clearly then it is incorrect to say we should always count by golds. I've heard a lot of talk about how 2nd place doesn't count blah blah blah. Really? And how many people saying that have been 2nd or 3rd in the world in anything. How many people saying that have even been to a genuine world's championship in anything?

Let's go to the other end of the spectrum. Which country did better?
A 31 golds, total of 31.
B. 32 bronzes total of 32.

Anyone with at least two functioning brain cells would say A. So clearly then it is incorrect to say we should always count by total.

Well then, how bout a point system? Well it doesn't take much to figure out that people will devise point systems where their favored country comes out on top all the while claiming it's "objective." So that's a no go too.

So how bout we just celebrate our winning athletes and not make up competitions where there are none. This whole obsession with medal count by country became such with the cold war anyway. And countries became so obsessed with it they developed national programs of pumping their athletes full of steroids and other performance enhancers. Some did monstrous things to their own citizens for medal counts. And some still do. So how bout we just pump the brakes on that sort of thing?

A lot of typing to say "I don't care". Which is fine. But for those of us who want to discuss it, why does it matter?

And I disagree a point system would be for a "favored country". You make up the points BEFORE the games start. 3, 2, 1 seems reasonable to me. If you have another idea, throw it out. Oh wait, you don't care.

 

[EACarlson]

Ironically, though they have softball fields all over the place, they don't have an Olympic type facility. Maybe Oklahoma City put some cash up. And they do have the facility. Oklahoma City is also hosting canoe. To me, if I'm a player, I'd want to be in LA for the whole experience rather than half way across the country.

I would guarantee that either UCLA or USC have a facility that is better than what was used in Columbus, GA for the '96 games. I've umpired there and it's a craphole. OKC is the nicest softball complex on earth, except maybe Viera.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

A lot of typing to say "I don't care". Which is fine. But for those of us who want to discuss it, why does it matter?

And I disagree a point system would be for a "favored country". You make up the points BEFORE the games start. 3, 2, 1 seems reasonable to me. If you have another idea, throw it out. Oh wait, you don't care.

I never said I didn't care. But you already knew that. On the caring scale, I certainly could care a little less. But, I could care much more. Your straw man might have been a nice try on certain other posters who dis rules would never allow me to name. However, you should have known better than to try it on me. I already threw out an idea. You just didn't want to hear it. But feel free to keep score in what the Olympics sees as a non event and gives no medals for.

I would guarantee that either UCLA or USC have a facility that is better than what was used in Columbus, GA for the '96 games. I've umpired there and it's a craphole. OKC is the nicest softball complex on earth, except maybe Viera.

USC does not play softball. And their baseball field is way too surrounded by other stuff to convert to a 13,000 seat facility with amenities like they have in Oklahoma City. They were going to build the temporary pool there. But they moved it. And UCLA's Easton is an aging stadium that only holds 1,328. That has a little more room for expansion as does Jackie Robinson baseball stadium. But how much, I'm not sure. And I don't know how amenable UCLA was to expansion. Hall of fame Stadium in Oklahoma City holds 13,000. Like I said, personally, I'd rather they have it in LA. But I'm not paying for said stadium. So I guess I'll just have to miss softball because I'm going to LA.

 

[BrianL]

How about Team Canada Women's Rugby? Stunning!

 

[Skippy918]

Who else is tuning in live for the women’s gymnastics team final?

 

[BrianL]

Who else is tuning in live for the women’s gymnastics team final?

I am all over it. I worked from home today and am about to take my lunch break. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[cabanafrau]

Does Breakdancing even appeal to a younger demographic though? I mean, all us 80's kids are pretty old now! Have any of these youngsters even seen Breakin' or even Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo?

Setting aside the issue of including it as an Olympic sport, breaking is still quite current with young dancers. Most often you hear it referred to as so and so being a b-boy.

 

[BrianL]

I am enjoying the youthful exuberance that Laurie Hernandez is bringing to the commentating. It's not the most polished, but she's been there and knows what it's like, and just seems so happy to see her friends performing well.

 

[BrianL]

Man Rugby Finals and Gymnastincs on at the same time!