Question about the Winter Olympics

[Mephisto]

I've never played curling, but it's the only winter olympic sport I find amusing to watch. And I'm not a big sports fan.

To me it looks like there's a lot of skills and tactics involved, not just who runs faster with wooden planks on their legs.

And I think curling belongs more in the winter olympics than bridge does in the summer olympics

Is bridge really in the summer olympics? I couldn't tell you for sure, I rarely watch the Olympics at all, preferring instead the X Games.

I wonder if there is some historic background to Bridge being included? I just can't imagine the mighty Hercules kicking butt at the Bridge table.

 

[Mephisto]

eta: there's a cute set of sisters on the US team, and the Swedes ain't bad either.

Too bad they don't include more exciting camera angles (like from behind the thrower), I'm not really interested in watching the "rock" slide toward the target, nor do I care about the sweepers.

 

[Mephisto]

I can honestly say that I find curling to be more interesting than baseball. But then, I find watching paint dry to be more interesting than baseball.

I'm afraid I'll have to agree. Baseball, like NASCAR is only cool when someone screws up royally. As Bill Mahr said about "making NASCAR safer" it's a bad idea because then people, "are just watching traffic."

 

[Mercutio]

Hold on here! USA v. Russia, the US just scored 3 points to come from behind and tie and force extra throws, and the TV switches to hockey? Both are live--but the conclusion in overtime is cut to show the beginning of another game? Ack!


Besides, the Russian and US teams both have some serious eyecandy.

 

[Mephisto]

Hold on here! USA v. Russia, the US just scored 3 points to come from behind and tie and force extra throws, and the TV switches to hockey? Both are live--but the conclusion in overtime is cut to show the beginning of another game? Ack!


Besides, the Russian and US teams both have some serious eyecandy.

I absolutely HATE when these types of bad calls are made by television directors in an attempt to placate everyone (maybe he's more worried about the hockey fans getting angry than he is the curling fans getting angry).

I've come to the conclusion that (women's) Curling would be far more popular if played in bikinis.

 

[Almo]

As far as I'm concerned the Olympics, (any variety), became a farce and a non event when they included synchronised swimming!

Muchly agreed! Bob Costas was hosting, and after the SS, the camera came abck to him, he was leaning on his hand, and said, "We're going to take a break. If we keep up with excitement like that, we'll explode." Or something to that effect. I laughed REALLY hard.

 

[Jaggy Bunnet]

I absolutely HATE when these types of bad calls are made by television directors in an attempt to placate everyone (maybe he's more worried about the hockey fans getting angry than he is the curling fans getting angry).

I've come to the conclusion that (women's) Curling would be far more popular if played in bikinis.

I did once play against an under-21 US womens team who played in miniskirts.

That was a real test of concentration.

 

[Meadmaker]

I absolutely HATE when these types of bad calls are made by television directors in an attempt to placate everyone (maybe he's more worried about the hockey fans getting angry than he is the curling fans getting angry).

I've come to the conclusion that (women's) Curling would be far more popular if played in bikinis.

Where's "beach hockey" when you need it?

 

[Meadmaker]

Well, the blog entry got it incorrect. Biathlon evolved from military patrol skiing races. The modern rules are quite recent being drafted in 1955. Military patrol races that were held with various rules have long history in the Nordic countries, the first recorded competitions were held in Norway in 1776.

[Since we are in the politics forum, I might add that in the 20s there were quite big political tensions between Finland and Soviet Union so any form of peaceful competition between soldiers of the respective armies would have been extremely unlikely.]

Cool. I suspected it was a case of the Finns and Russians staring at each other, threatening to kill each other on a regular basis, and deciding to show some macho swagger by proving that if it did come down to real war, their side was the ones with the real men on it.

I wonder what biathlon would be like if the competitors had to use a Brown Bess.

There are some archery biathlon competitions, but I think matchlocks would be even better. The challenge would be to keep the match lit and both the powder and match dry while skiing.

 

[Jabberwock]

I am finding Curling rather fascinating, to my wife's dismay.

 

[Mephisto]

I did once play against an under-21 US womens team who played in miniskirts.

That was a real test of concentration.

And probably the most-watched competition in a 500 mile radius. It would certainly keep my attention, although my concentration wouldn't be a problem.

 

[luchog]

Don't underestimate the physical work involved in sweeping either - a good pair of sweepers make a huge difference to a game. They can turn bad shots into good ones and therefore create a much wider margin of error in the actual delivery.

However it is more a "skill" sport than a stamina one. And it is clearly more tactical than any number of other Olympic "skill" sports like shooting, archery etc.

While I don't dispute any of the comments about how difficult and skill-intensive curling is; I still find it hard to take seriously a sport which is little more than glorified shuffleboard.

 

[Alliebubs]

SIGH! I just discovered this thread, after touting Curling's amazingness in other random threads.

Yes, a Canadian that *loves* Curling; I think it's one of the best skill sports, ever. The precision and the strategy are what I absolutely love about Curling. I've actually turned my skeptical American boyfriend into a tentative fan.

Yay Canada! Go Team Gushue!

 

[Alliebubs]

While I don't dispute any of the comments about how difficult and skill-intensive curling is; I still find it hard to take seriously a sport which is little more than glorified shuffleboard.

Hmm. Question: If you don't dispute its difficulty and skill needed to play, why is it still only "a little more than glorified shuffleboard"?

 

[mgidm86]

Hmm. Question: If you don't dispute its difficulty and skill needed to play, why is it still only "a little more than glorified shuffleboard"?

Not answering for Luchog here, but I'll say it's a little more glorified only because it's a little more difficult. Synchronized swimming is difficult. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean it should be an Olympic event.

I am baffled by the popularity of Curling, as I am with watching poker on ESPN. But I'm obviously in the minority in this thread. I don't think ping pong should be an Olympic event either. I guess I'm more for traditional sports...tests of human strength and endurance, running, decathlon type events.

But that's so boring! Who wants to watch that?!

 

[Mephisto]

Not answering for Luchog here, but I'll say it's a little more glorified only because it's a little more difficult. Synchronized swimming is difficult. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean it should be an Olympic event.

I am baffled by the popularity of Curling, as I am with watching poker on ESPN. But I'm obviously in the minority in this thread. I don't think ping pong should be an Olympic event either. I guess I'm more for traditional sports...tests of human strength and endurance, running, decathlon type events.

But that's so boring! Who wants to watch that?!

Well, I started the OP and in spite of the fact that several people here have given me (somewhat) an appreciation for Curling - I think (unless the FEMALE participants are wearing bikinis or mini-skirts) it's much more fun to play than to watch. For the record, I am also amazed at the recent attention paid to poker. What an absolutely BORING thing to watch - a game where the best players show no emotion at all! Almost makes televised fishing or baseball seem like extreme sports!

I think combining two or more Olympic sports (from summer & winter games) might enliven the television audience, something along the lines of Curling and Soccer (I'd love to watch someone trying to kick a 42 lb. rock) or Curling and Skeet (use a pump shotgun to blow the rock into the target) or maybe Curling & Shotput (on a 500 yard course).

P.S. Welcome to the forums, Alliebubs!

 

[mgidm86]

Almost makes televised fishing or baseball seem like extreme sports!

At least there's some violence in fishing! Something could even be killed, though that is not the intent of the fisherman.

I'd like to see archery and dodge ball combined into a single team event. I would watch that.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I haven't watched much of the Olympics so far, but as yet I haven't heard any references to the idiotic shroud. Was I just lucky enough to miss it? I figured the woo media would be all over that.

 

[Mephisto]

I haven't watched much of the Olympics so far, but as yet I haven't heard any references to the idiotic shroud. Was I just lucky enough to miss it? I figured the woo media would be all over that.

I believe Ed Helms (from the Daily Show) made reference to the shroud already. It was pretty irreverant (and funny).

I would just be happy if the Italians blamed Jesus for any defeats they suffer.

 

[Alliebubs]

Well, I started the OP and in spite of the fact that several people here have given me (somewhat) an appreciation for Curling - I think (unless the FEMALE participants are wearing bikinis or mini-skirts) it's much more fun to play than to watch. For the record, I am also amazed at the recent attention paid to poker. What an absolutely BORING thing to watch - a game where the best players show no emotion at all! Almost makes televised fishing or baseball seem like extreme sports!

I think combining two or more Olympic sports (from summer & winter games) might enliven the television audience, something along the lines of Curling and Soccer (I'd love to watch someone trying to kick a 42 lb. rock) or Curling and Skeet (use a pump shotgun to blow the rock into the target) or maybe Curling & Shotput (on a 500 yard course).

P.S. Welcome to the forums, Alliebubs!

Bah. Curling on its own is a magnificent sport. And! It is quite exhaustive to throw that rock into the house, and sweep down the length of the ice! Um, I mean *I've* never done it but, it looks hard!



P.S. Thank you!