I always enjoy watching the Olympics whenever I have the time. The IOC, NBC, and the hosting nation always do a great job of telling an interesting story with the best athletes in the world.
I’m especially amazed at Michael Phelps. The guy is an absolute marvel as he casually smashes through record after record and scoops up handfuls of gold medals. (On a side note, check out his 12,000 calorie/day diet)
Yet, I wonder why it is that there are so many variations on swimming and so many available medals as a result. Phelps could win 9 medals during these games, but is there any other sport where there are so many medals available? Take a look a the list of men’s swimming events:
- 100 m backstroke
- 100 m breaststroke
- 100 m butterfly
- 100 m freestyle
- 1,500 m freestyle
- 200 m backstroke
- 200 m breaststroke
- 200 m butterfly
- 200 m freestyle
- 200 m individual medley
- 400 m freestyle
- 400 m individual medley
- 4×100 m freestyle relay
- 4×100 m medley relay
- 4×200 m freestyle relay
- 50 m freestyle
- 10 km marathon
It takes skill and excellence to earn a gold, and I know that every medal earned represents a lifetime of effort, discipline and sacrifice. But why can’t basketball players achieve more than one medal? Even kayaking/canoeing offers more medal opportunities:
- One-person 1000 m kayak
- One-person 500 m kayak
- Two-person 1000 m kayak
- Two-person 500 m kayak
- Four-person 1000 m kayak
- One-person 1000 m canoe
- One-person 500 m canoe
- Two-person 1000 m canoe
- Two-person 500 m canoe
Notice that in each of these events, there is only variation on the number of individuals competing, the length of the event, or the style of the event. As such, I think the IOC should add a few more basketball events:
- One-on-one basketball
- Three-on-three basketball
- Free throw competition
- Three point competition
- Slam dunk contest (subjective with judges, but no worse than gymnastics)
- Horse
All of these events should be added before the IOC even considers including Texas Hold ‘em.
UPDATE:
Trampoline is an event. Someone will earn a gold medal for trampoline.
Do you have other suggestions for variations on Olympic® events? Share them in the comments.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Steve // Aug 15, 2008 at 4:26 pm
How about gunny sack races?
2 holmes // Aug 16, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Ward ‘Ball. I don’t necessarily think it should be broken down by ward, just that the countries have a team that consists of athletes that have perfected the modern, slightly less macabre, Mormon iteration of the Catholic Just War.
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