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

[Magical2017]

I am loving everything about the Olympics. More cowbells! (I have nothing against the awesome Aussies).

 

[monsterkitty]

Do any Disboarders think they may try any of the sports featured at these Olympics as an adult in the future for fun?

Some of us already compete or participate in some of the Olympic sports.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Some of us already compete or participate in some of the Olympic sports.

Example?

 

[longboard55]

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

 

[RedAngie]

Yeah, but there's a diffrerence between a sport and a game. Sports require athleticism to at least some degree. That said, while Breakin' seems weird to be in the Olympics, it's not really any weirder than a lot of things that they already include. Really, how is it much different than a gymnastics floor exercise? I'm up for trying anything. Who knows? Maybe it

I’m just skeptical of the IOC continually adding more and more subjectively judged events.

Are baseball snd softball on this year’s menu?

 

[sam_gordon]

Also glad to see we don't break down women vs men metals, because that would make our men look real bad

I do wish they would assign "points" to medals instead of just doing a medal count. Say 3 for gold, 2 for silver, 1 for bronze. IMO, three gold medals is MUCH more impressive than 3 silver medals (for example), but the countries would be ranked the same.

 

[BrianL]

I’m just skeptical of the IOC continually adding more and more subjectively judged events.

Are baseball snd softball on this year’s menu?

Well, that's a good pount. Judged events are different. they seem popular though.

 

[RedAngie]

I do wish they would assign "points" to medals instead of just doing a medal count. Say 3 for gold, 2 for silver, 1 for bronze. IMO, three gold medals is MUCH more impressive than 3 silver medals (for example), but the countries would be ranked the same.

Well, in most of the world the quantity of gold medals is the major factor. A country could have 3 golds and 1 silver for a total of 4 yet would outrank a country that has 2 golds, 5 silvers, and 7 bronzes, total 14.

During the 2008 games one website did assign points to medals, but gave up with about 4 days remaining when they were afraid their system would have China winning the medal count. They reverted to the typical US total quantity method.
As it turned out the US won many late gold medals and surpassed China’s total. The website was widely mocked and ridiculed.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, in most of the world the quantity of gold medals is the major factor. A country could have 3 golds and 1 silver for a total of 4 yet would outrank a country that has 2 golds, 5 silvers, and 7 bronzes, total 14.

I'm not sure how you figure that.
3G (9pts) + 1S (2pts) = 11 pts.
2G (6pts) + 5S (1pts) + 7B (7pts) = 14 points.

The second country would still "win". Now...
Country A: 3G = 3
Country B: 3B = 3
It's a "tie".

How is a Gold not "worth" more?

 

[SirDuff]

H

I'm not sure how you figure that.
3G (9pts) + 1S (2pts) = 11 pts.
2G (6pts) + 5S (1pts) + 7B (7pts) = 14 points.

The second country would still "win". Now...
Country A: 3G = 3
Country B: 3B = 3
It's a "tie".

How is a Gold not "worth" more?

I think that the PP was pointing out that pretty much only the US counts by total number of medals. Most other lists count by number of golds, then number of silvers, then number of bronzes. So, a country with 5 golds will be above a country with 4 golds, no matter how many silvers or bronzes either country has.

For example, the Olympic page itself (https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/medals)




BBC does it the same way (https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/medals):



CBC lets you toggle between total count and number of golds (and also alphabetical).

 

[RedAngie]

I'm not sure how you figure that.
3G (9pts) + 1S (2pts) = 11 pts.
2G (6pts) + 5S (1pts) + 7B (7pts) = 14 points.

The second country would still "win". Now...
Country A: 3G = 3
Country B: 3B = 3
It's a "tie".

How is a Gold not "worth" more?

No points are assigned in the current IOC rankings. The quantity of gold medals is the main factor. One gold is worth more than 25 silvers or 37 bronzes.

As of right now, China, Korea, Japan, and Australia are ahead of the US despite a lesser quantity of total medals. Those countries currently have more golds so they outrank the US almost everywhere else in the world.

 

[declansdad]

I’m just skeptical of the IOC continually adding more and more subjectively judged events.

Are baseball snd softball on this year’s menu?

They add events that appeal toa younger demographic in an attempt to draw them in.

Paris did not wand baseball and softball on the program. They also dropped karate.

 

[sam_gordon]

No points are assigned in the current IOC rankings. The quantity of gold medals is the main factor. One gold is worth more than 25 silvers or 37 bronzes.

As of right now, China, Korea, Japan, and Australia are ahead of the US despite a lesser quantity of total medals. Those countries currently have more golds so they outrank the US almost everywhere else in the world.

Ah, I don't think only counting golds is a good solution either. That's why I proposed assigning each medal points and totaling the points.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the whole issue of number of medals is more about 'bragging' rights for certain countries. I can recall in the past where a country like Russia or China used this to prove how superior they were, even if they used various methods of cheating to achieve those results. Clearly some countries have far more contestants than others. I don't really care who wins the most medals or accumulates the most 'points' based on whatever arbitrary formula someone tries to apply.

 

[monsterkitty]

Example?

I compete in triathlons. Others here run marathons. I'm sure there are many who are mountain bikers and road cyclists. Not sure if they compete but they participate.

 

[longboard55]

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

 

[BrianL]

They add events that appeal toa younger demographic in an attempt to draw them in.

Paris did not wand baseball and softball on the program. They also dropped karate.

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?

 

[pezgirlroy]

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?

I mean it does to me but I am 46 so I guess not young.

 

[BrianL]

I mean it does to me but I am 46 so I guess not young.

Yeeeeeahhh....that's kind of what I meant. I turn 46 in a few weeks.

 

[RedAngie]

Ah, I don't think only counting golds is a good solution either. That's why I proposed assigning each medal points and totaling the points.

Yes, for decades I’ve heard various proposals from diverse sources about a points system, but the IOC is adamant about not changing its current method.

Later today I’m going to go back to about 2000 Sydney and see if a points system would have significantly changed the standings.

As I mentioned above, some sources have tried using points as a determining method, but nothing seems to stick.