Surfing has a reputation as the chillest Olympic sport, and it is 100 percent earned. Both Americans and Tahitians could win medals in Paris... errr... Tahiti!
you got it—there are a LOT of weird rules. side note it's kinda nuts how there are 4 different types of cycling in the Olympics. track, road, BMX, mountain... that's too many bicycles!
Modern pentathlon! It’s obscure, confusing, the US has never won gold, and deeply complicated. Plus, this is the last Olympics with horses in it, as after the incident with the horses in Tokyo, they’re replacing it with … Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses. … sigh.
2. Would enjoy a piece focused just on the jumps -- long, high, triple. They already look impressive on TV but then you actually think about jumping clear over your doorway or across your lawn they don't even seem possible
3. Since people seem to be catching onto volleyball I'd argue water polo is now the most underrated fun-to-watch sport at the Games
To tag on to (2) - a look at "field" in general. Not one of those - even the seemingly basic "jump as far as you can" and "throw a heavy ball" - is remotely like a normal activity once you dive into how they do it. Americans would be way more into javelin if you called it "spear." After a half century of East German dominance in all the women's throws (somehow they kept dominating decades after they stopped existing) American women are now potentially the best in every throw.
"Track" is mostly easy to follow - run as fast as you can for 10 seconds to two hours. "Field" is all over the place.
Indoor cycling seems awesome but I don’t really know the rules or dominant countries
you got it—there are a LOT of weird rules. side note it's kinda nuts how there are 4 different types of cycling in the Olympics. track, road, BMX, mountain... that's too many bicycles!
Modern pentathlon! It’s obscure, confusing, the US has never won gold, and deeply complicated. Plus, this is the last Olympics with horses in it, as after the incident with the horses in Tokyo, they’re replacing it with … Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses. … sigh.
Honestly a little bit insulted that you thought there was a possibility I might skip modern pentathlon. That’s such a lock
Either canoe slalom or fencing would be awesome.
You got it,🤺▶️🆙
Let’s go!!!
Rodger, could you consider open water swimming, once they figure out if they can use the Seine?
probably a bit much to do a whole post about it but I am paying VERY close attention to the poop situation
Just learned that breakdancing is an olympic sport now.
Breakdancing somehow made it before squash did.
squash in LA 2028!
I know! It's definitely exciting.
1. Badminton, of course
2. Would enjoy a piece focused just on the jumps -- long, high, triple. They already look impressive on TV but then you actually think about jumping clear over your doorway or across your lawn they don't even seem possible
3. Since people seem to be catching onto volleyball I'd argue water polo is now the most underrated fun-to-watch sport at the Games
To tag on to (2) - a look at "field" in general. Not one of those - even the seemingly basic "jump as far as you can" and "throw a heavy ball" - is remotely like a normal activity once you dive into how they do it. Americans would be way more into javelin if you called it "spear." After a half century of East German dominance in all the women's throws (somehow they kept dominating decades after they stopped existing) American women are now potentially the best in every throw.
"Track" is mostly easy to follow - run as fast as you can for 10 seconds to two hours. "Field" is all over the place.
I was absolutely considering a "field" entry but wasn't sure it would play. Let's do it
WOO-HOO!
Men's shot put is basketball-level lock for a US gold - but might be suspense who gets it.
Hammer might win the "most likely to kill an amateur who tries it" award.
Kovacs deserves a W!
Rodger I'm a super wrestling nerd, would love a piece on it. After swimming + athletics, was USA's third best sport at Tokyo!
locking it in! weird Olympic trials but I think they're gonna win a lot of medals anyway