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China barring Joey Cheek from Olympics
KharBevNor:
--- Quote from: Leinad on 07 Aug 2008, 19:05 ---
--- Quote from: KharBevNor on 07 Aug 2008, 01:38 --- It is a phenomenal, pointless waste of money and effort on sports that I don't actually give a fuck about anyway.
--- End quote ---
Fixed!
--- End quote ---
Way to misunderstand my point.
When was the last time, outside an olympics, you watched hammer-throwing on TV? When did you last go to a curling match? I bet you love relaxing at the weekend with a bit of Water Polo, right?
My point is, almost every single olympic sport is a minority sport that no one gives a fuck about outside the olympics. And even for the few olympic sports that are actually popular (like Basketball and Wrestling) well, let's just say The Lakers and the Undertaker aren't going to be at Beijing. The games are pure hype. You could replace the sports with anything else and people would still watch. Pure brand.
jhocking:
--- Quote from: Linds on 07 Aug 2008, 11:02 ---The pollution there is horrendous and several athletes won't go because of it
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Yeah I keep hearing about runners who won't go, in order to protect their lungs. This fact is delicious to me.
--- Quote from: Linds on 07 Aug 2008, 11:02 ---
maybe the committee has learned their lesson now about which countries they choose to host the Olympics in.
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In the IOC's defense, their choice was made out of hope that China's hosting of the Olympics would inspire them to improve themselves. The Olympics had that effect in both Japan and South Korea, where the games are still cherished as an important milestone in their national history. (Incidentally, I'm just paraphrasing here an article I read somewhere. Probably the New York Times, but I forget.)
Meanwhile, the current situation with China is still far from the IOC's biggest misstep. At the risk of Godwinning this thread, anyone know where the Olympics were held in 1936?
--- Quote from: KharBevNor on 08 Aug 2008, 06:33 ---You could replace the sports with anything else and people would still watch. Pure brand.
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*sigh* Way to misunderstand the entire point of the Olympics. I mean, using the term "brand" is technically correct I suppose, but at the same time very dismissive and way oversimplifies the emotions people have surrounding the Olympics.
In a nutshell, the fact that the sports featured in the Olympics are not popular outside the Olympics isn't a criticism of the games, that is part of the point. The Olympics aren't entertainment, they are a showcase for national pride invested in athletes who compete not for money/popularity but out of sheer dedication. Not that it always works out that way exactly (China is in fact exhibit A for forcing athletes to train in sports they don't care about,) and not that I don't agree that the Olympics seem to cause more strain than benefit, but I do disagree with your statements vis a vis the choice of sports.
EDIT: quotes fixed for that whining bitch
jhocking:
hee hee
KharBevNor:
--- Quote from: jhocking on 08 Aug 2008, 08:13 ---In a nutshell, the fact that the sports featured in the Olympics are not popular outside the Olympics isn't a criticism of the games, that is part of the point. The Olympics aren't entertainment, they are a showcase for national pride invested in athletes who compete not for money/popularity but out of sheer dedication.
--- End quote ---
Sheer dedication and lust for fame and corporate sponsorship!
Oh and thanks, I had forgotten the utterly grotesque nationalism element of the Olympics.
jhocking:
--- Quote from: jhocking on 08 Aug 2008, 08:13 ---Not that it always works out that way
--- End quote ---
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