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Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



Dump Olympic tennis, add tug of war

Posted: Monday, August 18, 2008 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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Here’s one of the things I love about the Olympics: It’s like a giant buffet of sports. What I put on my viewing plate can be completely different from what you choose. Especially today, since we can TiVo events to watch later or tune in online if we missed something we care about. You can soak up only water polo and synchronized diving, if you want, or get your fill of team sports such as tennis, soccer and volleyball.


Reuters
Synchronized diving is oddly fascinating.

According to Wikipedia, there are 28 sports in the Summer Games. But what’s really fun about that entry is that it goes on to list discontinued sports as well as sports that never got past the demonstration stage. Reading through that list makes me really want to shake up the Olympic lineup a little bit.

Do we really need enough swimming events so that Michael Phelps alone can take gold in eight? How about bringing back croquet  (gone since 1900) or tug of war (a hot ticket from 1900-1920)?

I’m also somewhat fascinated with the demonstration sports. I’m not exactly sure how Olympic ballooning or Olympic gliding would work, but it sure would be pretty. And I’ve written before about how I love televised bowling – imagine the guy at your local lanes strutting around the Dance Dance Revolution machine to show off his gold medal. And roller hockey? How much fun would that be to watch?

I guess we'd have to make room for these new events by dumping some others. I know I might be in the minority, but I'd dump sports like basketball and tennis, sports where pros compete and, as my friend Mike points out, there are other championships that mean as much or more than an Olympic gold medal. One sport I'd keep for sure: Synchronized diving. I never thought I'd say this about a sport that sounds like an SNL skit, but this event has me fascinated. How do they DO that?

The topic of which sports should be added to the Olympics is a hot topic over at the BBC Olympic Weblog. The suggestions are so British: Rugby! Chess! Twenty20 cricket! One comment shows that we Americans aren't the only ones who can poke fun at ourselves. Asked what sports should be added, a BBC reader posted "What about binge drinking, or teenage mum? Gold medals guaranteed for the Great Britain?"

Which sports have caught your interest the most at the Games? And if you could rejigger the event lineup, which sports would get dumped -- or added?

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Comments

Equestrian is not a sport. Drop it. Neither is ping pong, sailing, synchronized swiming/diving, Drop them. Anything where judges decide the winner, like Gymnastics (sadly because I like those), drop it. Any sport where winning a gold medal is not the highest accomplishment they can get (tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey), drop them. For example, ask any tennis player if they would rather win a gold or win Wimbledon... no brainer. Some events are also just unneccesary, like a million different swimming events?? The 4 main strokes in the 100, 400 medley, and 400 relay mens/womens... the end. Also, dont need quite so many distances in running. 100, 110 hurdles, 400, 1500, 400 relay, and the marathon, and thats plenty.
What to add??
As someone said, add a javelin throw at a target. Rugby would be good (especialy with soccer out).
Keep fencing but find a way to make it a bit more like what an actual fencing fight would be like.
Dodgeball!!! That seems in keeping with the ideals of an "Olympic" event. Remember the spirit these games were created upon (plus that would be really fun to watch). And finally (with full body armor in place for the crybabies) CHARIOT RACES!!!

Adam (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:04 AM)

I would definitely watch the Dwight Schrute Olympic event - the Centathalon - if only for the cup stacking, animal mimicry and murder checkers.  

Me, Here (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:37 AM)

Drop all sports that involve subjective judging. That DOES NOT include tennis or basketball!

Laurian Moomjian, Frisco, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:52 AM)

Basketball and Tennis are very lame. Professional multi-million dollar (some in the 100's of millions) athletes competing for "just the hell of it" is ridiculous and shameful.

If they have equestrian, why not horse racing? Really? What's the diffrence? There isnt one. Get rid of Equestrian OR add Horse Racing.

I personally think the american schoolyard version of hand ball would be awesome. Ducking under at the last second as the ball hits the floor for the gold medal?.... epic!

Harley Santa Monica California (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:05 AM)

Wet t-shirt contest is a must. Ro-sham-bo and paper-rock-scissors would be nice. Potato sack races could fit, along with a greased pig contest. Disk golf? you got to have Disk golf.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:40 AM)

With all this debate over what is a "sport" versus a "game," don't forget these events are called the "Olympic Games," not "Olympic Sports."  Since ESPN sees fit to televise card games on a "sports" network, watch out!  Poker might be an Olympic event the next time around.

Bryan, Worldwide (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:44 AM)

Get rid of all sports which can't be timed, measured, or compete 1 on 1 (wrestling, boxing, tennis, etc). This whole thing of dropping the highest/lowest score and averaging the remaining is just too subjective.

K Glenn, Denver, Co (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:48 AM)

We really need to add an obstacle course. Something just to shake things up. Heck would could even expand it out like an American Gladiators Challenge. I am all for athletes dodging tennis balls being fired at them. Since reality tv has endurance challenges these need to be added as well. Where is the challenge for people like myself that can watch an entire marathon on tv any Saturday without blinking? Where is my gold for this obvious skill?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:14 AM)

The person who said equestrian is not a sport has obviously never ridden a horse at a competitive level.  I've ridden competitively for 14 years, I rarely exercise in any other way, yet I've got a six pack and could match or out-do many of our football players on the sled in high school.  How is that unathletic?  It's hard work, controlling a 1,000lbs animal with an opinion of it's own thank you very much.

I would like to see rugby added for sure!  

Maree, West Lafayette, IN (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:26 AM)

I want kickball or 4 square.  Watching adults seriously competing in either would be classic

Jeff Dupont, Lowell, Ma (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:34 AM)

I would like to see jousting added. It incorpates horsemanship balance and a little smashmouth action to the games.

Tom Halverson Omaha Nebraska (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:38 AM)

First of all, it's called the Olympic "GAMES."  Not the Olympic "Sports."  And as far as only allowing amateur, isn't the point of the Olympics to find the best athlete in the world???  How do we find the best athlete in the world if we exclude the professionals?  And just because you don't like to watch a sport does not mean it doesn’t belong in the Olympics.  Someone has put their life's work into what they're doing.  It shouldn’t be excluded from the games just because someone isn't entertained by watching it.  If you don't want to watch a sport, change the channel.

Lisa, Boise, ID (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:43 AM)

Brenda wrote:  Equestrian is NOT a sport.  It is an event - considering that the animal is doing all the work.  

Dear Brenda:

You are cordially invited to go horseback riding some time.  Just for an hour.  Just at the two slowest gaits, walk and trot.  Then, have a friend ring you up the next day to see how long it takes you to get to the phone.

Then you'll see how much work the equestrian athlete does.

Fiona64, Silicon Valley, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:48 AM)

For those who argue that swimming requires significant training:  you're wrong.  It requires significant *conditioning* for endurance, but it does not require significant training.  There is a difference between the two.  

It takes easily 10 years to become a good competitive fencer with training in multiple disciplines.  A person can learn to swim in a matter of hours; after that, it's conditioning.

Fiona64, Silicon Valley, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:52 AM)

Why are there so many Pro athletes involved in the games as team members.  I think all olympic athletes should be amatuers and citizenson of the country they are competing with not recruites from other countries.  How can this be a true competive event, if we have other players then their own citizenson  and Pros.  

No one special in Indiana (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:28 PM)

Why are there so many Pro athletes involved in the games as team members.  I think all olympic athletes should be amatuers and citizenson of the country they are competing with not recruites from other countries.  How can this be a true competive event, if we have other players then their own citizenson  and Pros.  

No one special in Indiana (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:29 PM)

Anyone who thinks equestrian isn't a sport has never tried to control a 2,000lb horse with their knees and will power. It is as physical and mental a sport as there is.

Bruce Williams, Pasadena, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:12 PM)

@Fiona64, what Olympics were you watching? Fencing WAS televised. It was boring. By the time the commentators start talking about technique it's already over and done with. Swimming is exciting, is both individual and team-based, and requires an enormous amount of coordination, power, and endurance. And equestrian? Yeah, they are trained, but how much of that is the horse? How about rodeo sports? Or a game of grease the pig? We can make it as elitist as equestrian and have the pig chasers where tall boots and funny hats.

Ramone (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:14 PM)

I'd like to see Jai Alai, that seems to be popular in the Latin countries and is pretty exciting to watch.  

And I wish they would actually show the modern pentahalon...it includes all the shooting we need to see, so drop the rest of the shooting.

I agree basketball, tennis, anything with pros playing needs to go.

Nikki Louis, Smyrna, GA (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:48 PM)

Couch potato wrote:  "The Olympics were set up for amateurs by the very rich who could afford to train, and buy and keep horses for example, as a way to exclude the commoners."

Um, no.  The Olympiad was a religious event, in which Greek athletes competed to honor the gods.

History is our friend.  Sometimes I think we should go back to *only* the original events of the Olympiad, to be perfectly honest.

Fiona64, Silicon Valley, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 1:59 PM)

Disc golf.

Sterling (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:24 PM)

I was flipping through the channels the other day and i ended up watching "Competitive Jumproping", and decided to check it out. I must say that it should be and Olympic sport just for the amount of stamina and speed they exhibited! Imagine running in place as fast as you can for 3minutes while jumping rope. Laugh if you may, but it better than some of the so called "events" they have now.

Ed Mines, Birmingham, AL (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:33 PM)

I will just like to add that all those people saying "sports" do realise that its called Olympic "Games" right? just a thought :)

Lola OKC, OK (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:51 PM)

Rugby...bring it back.  They are discussing sevens, but bring the whole 15, make us forwards happy

Jessi Baltimore, MD (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:42 PM)

To me, the Olympics has always been about "those other sports".  You know, the sports you only watch during the Olympics like gymnastics and swimming.

I agree tennis and bball should be dropped cause they already are mainstream.  I also agree sports like cricoquet should be brought back along with other, less watched sports.

Steven, Atlantic City, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 4:15 PM)

War, but it should be the final event of the ceremonies.

tt, tt, tx (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 4:34 PM)

Both Winter and Summer:
Eliminate any "sport" that uses judging to determine the winner such as Gymnastics, Ice Skating, Diving, Trampoline, Boxing...  Include any "sport" that has a definative scoring system (fastest, Strongest...) Baseball, Basketball, Rugby, Cricket, Swiming, Track, soccer, Hockey, Cycling, Rowing, Skiing

If you want to include judging "sports" you need to set up a multiple judge blind scoring system similar to what Skating has setup recently (10-15 judges who turn in scores and a computer randomly selects which judges scores to use).

fran, apex, nc (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 4:41 PM)

Perhaps the Olympics would be more interesting if we reverted to the basic forms of sport, like turning boxing into Greek Boxing (bare knuckles and almost no rules); turn fencing into sword fighting (the death part would REALLY boost ratings); turn shooting sports into skirmishes... you know... like when people shoot AT EACH OTHER. In the Greek Olympics from the WAY back, almost all of the events were about war skills. Why, pray tell, should that change? Humans are far more warlike than ever they were then. And how could I forget Roller Derby or Gang Fights?

Dan, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 4:54 PM)

I would definetly like to see Mixed Martial Arts in the Olimpics!! What is the point of All those,martial arts,that are not really full contact fighting, where they just wear a ton of padding and 'tap' each other for points. That's just sissy fighting. Can you imagine watching Kimbo Slice, SMASHING Ben Rothwells face in the octogon!!!! Now that is entertainment. MMA is REAL fighting. Not just the guy who can 'touch' the other guy more, and have more points will win the match.
Anyway, not talking about the Olimpics, I believe that sports like boxing are going to decline in popularity, to make way for MMA. because that is real fighting. Dont believe me? Go to youtube and check out Kimbo Slice.

MilkMan, Queens, New York (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:22 PM)

My choice of sport to see is "Zero G Gynastics".

a p garcia (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 5:49 PM)

Rugby would be OK but I don't know if there would be enough worldwide participants. And games would have to be shortened dramatically as a tourney of any size woul dtake a toll on players, venues, and time. BTW we're in full-swing with rugby right now... and it's winter down here - so wouldn't that make it a winter sport : )

Kevin, Christchurch, NZ (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:13 PM)

I'd love to see Gladiatorial Combat Sports! Swordplay in both the light and heavy two handed swords. No need for judges either, combat will be to the death.

John Erickson, Mill City, OR (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:06 PM)

I believe that Golf, Rugby, Mixed Martial Arts and Skateboarding should be in the Olympics.  I am amazed that Golf is not on the program, since it is played all over the world.  The same can be said with Rugby.  MMA and Skateboarding would be a great edition, as it would get the young crowd that the IOC is deperately trying to attract.

Imar, San Francisco, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:04 PM)


Olympic Paintball.

Thats all I have to say.

Dave, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:09 PM)

The reality is that the networks spend tons of money to see what events that people want to see. Although many of you are tired of the sports that they have been showing in "prime time" they are getting huge ratings, so we evidenty want to watch hours upon hours of gymnastics and beach volley ball.

 

Rachael Madison Alabama (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:15 AM)

That's right Cooper.  Dump basketball (with the huge following it has and its stars) and tennis (popular everywhere right now except for the states) and put some retarded "sport" like cricket in. Why not push off something no one watches like baseball or men's volleyball?

I'm disappointed to see such a poor argument

Sasuke Sarutobi, Boulder, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:43 AM)

Lacrosse would be a great olympic sport.

Pat, West Palm Beach, FL (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:58 AM)

It would be wicked awesome to have some paintball thrown into the mix.
It's played throughout the world.  There is a professional league here in the states, but there are so many talented players out there it would be easy to get together teams from around the world.

R.C., West Virginia (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:42 AM)

Get rid of everything that requires a judge's opinion.

T Smith (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:50 AM)

Badminton has to be the silliest sport I have ever seen.  So much effort for so little result.  And I heard on NPR a while back that there are people trying to get competitive yoga to be an Olympic sport.  That's just so wrong.  And finally, why is there so much beach volleyball?  Don't even get me started on their "uniforms."

Since ESPN likes to show it so much, I guess poker of varying sorts could be added.  Rugby and bowling, definitely.  And hot dog eating seems to have a worldwide following...  I would suggest spelling, but then you would have to decide on which language.  Talk about a home court advantage!

Linda, Cleveland, OH (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:50 AM)

How about 18 holes of Golf (IE: Drinking) at 18 fine Pubs in the vacinity. Then pass a sobriety test for the gold, silver and bronze medal.

Dr Fizz (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:34 PM)

Instead of eliminating all professionals, just limit their age to compete, just like men's olympic soccer (all but 3 players are limited to be under 23 years of age). Do this for baseball and basketball. Remember, China pays every expense for all of their athletes, so every one of their olympic athletes are professionals.

Tim, San Luis Obispo, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:15 PM)

I love Hide and Seek - perfect! Maybe "Kick the Can and Run" would be good too! "Jacks"???
('Should be Run/Fish/Nap/Eat, Run/Fish/Nap/Eat)

Anne, NY, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 3:47 PM)

I feel sorry for the guy that said that Guitar Hero should be the new Olympic sport.  There's seriously something wrong about playing fake guitar for an Olympic medal.  

I agree that baseball and softball should be eliminated (they're both boring as all hell).  I do think they should add rugby, as it is one of the roughest sports out there.  

It's stupid to say that gymnastics, diving, etc should be taken out because they are scored by judges.  These sports are about technique, not about how many flips you can do.  That's the hardest part about doing them, you have to have to take into account all of the details of the athletes performance.  Anyone who says they should be removed is too dumb to really appreciate them.

Melissa B, Omaha, Nebraska (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:01 PM)

Pole dancing, YES.  

Oh, and whatever you call shooting an apple off someone's head... that would be a GREAT addition.  Way more suspenseful than waiting for someone to fall off the balance beam.

Cristyn, San Antonio, TX (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:20 PM)

Joe Six Pack: Above, wrote and suggested Climbing, Rock Climbing or Speed Rock Climbing, or maybe "Agility Climbing" I would like to point out that that has got to be one of the best suggestions and Olympic ideas I have ever heard! Seriously, I can't believe I've never thought of it but it makes perfect sense and I can't for the life of me think of one reason why Rock Climbing of some sort had not been scouted out for the Olympics.

Canoe Racing?

Someone suggested car racing but I think that might have the same effect as having basketball or tennis, there is already a pro industry that is probably more exciting to watch. but maybe like a dirt dune buggy indy or something like that.

Motocross.?

Cricket makes a lot of sense as well. and yes to the poser above, there is a lot of cricket played in many parts of India.

rollerblading of somesort, not freestyle trick type roller blading but more race and agility style rollerblading. Speed Blade, Blade slalom??

I think for the diversity instead of "just" weightlifting they should create a whole Bodybuild category and have like 4-5 different events like the ones in the strongest man competitions on tv. But rule them a little more to make them more competitive.

The sports I like to watch the most are the ones that you dont hear about every day or often, and thats what I think is fun to watch, people doing things that you'll never be able to do.

and I also think Hangliding should be added back too.

And fencing! What about fencing, is fencing still involved? I haven't even one thing about fencing at all this year.

Diversify and the Olympics will be way more fun again sometime.  

and please escuse my bad sentence structure, I am in a hurry.

jacob (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:53 PM)

"Tug-of-war used to be an event. If you add that then go ahead and add pole dancing." - stingstungme.

I am not going to support this, but I am also NOT going to say it's a bad idea either;)

jacob (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:54 PM)

and actually, maybe even a culinary event of some magnitude "could" be pretty interesting if done right.  

jacob (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:02 PM)

The comments about Equestrian are way off.  I don't ride much but my wife does.  It takes incredible conditioning and skill to ride a horse the way they do.  It's all about subtle cues and leg pressures and maintaining perfect balance.  I admit this is lost on the casual viewer, but being married to a pro will change your tune real quick.  I can barely ride my horse, but my wife is absolutely amazing with her.
By the way, though judging systems are flawed, they're the best we have for sports like diving and gymnastics.  I'd like to see them improve but totally eliminated?  No way.  Besides, any sport that has a referee, penalties, etc. can potentially be flawed.  You think the refs get every call right in Soccer?  Or think they've never affected the outcome of a game?  Please.
BTW, never had even one of these get posted so probably nobody will read this anyway.

jmell, kirkland wa (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:30 PM)

I disagree about golf. First and foremost, it bores the living hell out of me. Second, you'd have to limit yourself to countries that can actually support a golf course - not all places are built for that! It's bad enough that they have to construct huge Olympic buildings in each city, imagine having to find a place that could fit all those buildings AND an 18 hole course? It's just not feasible.

And.. it's boring ;)

Sara K, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:58 PM)



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