Top Lady
1) Track and Field
I realize a lot of events fall under track and field: running, shot put, discus, high jump, long jump and hurdles. But they are compelling and exciting because there are few complicated rules or strategies: just be the fastest or strongest. It’s pretty easy to imagine the ancient Greeks doing these.
2) Luge
The luge is sledding gone insane. It is the fastest event in all of the Olympics (summer or winter) and, aside from gymnastics, might be the one that requires the most muscle control. The only thing crazier than the luge is the skeleton, in which the pilot does all that zipping around, inches to the ground, face first.
3) Gymnastics
Like track and field, a lot of activities fall under gymnastics: floor, pommel horse, rings, balance beam, parallel and uneven bars. These athletes’ bodies are like perfect machines, and the stunts they do put Cirque du Soleil to shame.
4) Ski Jump
OK, we’re going to strap some pieces of wood to your feet and send you speeding down this hill. At the end, jump off, fly for a few seconds, and then land in one piece. Sound good? (For an example of when it didn’t work out so well, check out the “Agony of Defeat” guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinko_Bogataj)
5) High Dive
Perhaps I’m so impressed by this because the most I could manage as a kid was an arrow-straight, feet first, nose-holding plummet off of the high board. That someone has the ab strength to manage all those twists and turns and not manage to end with a giant backflop will always amaze me. Plus, there’s always the chance someone will chuck it all and do a cannonball.
I realize a lot of events fall under track and field: running, shot put, discus, high jump, long jump and hurdles. But they are compelling and exciting because there are few complicated rules or strategies: just be the fastest or strongest. It’s pretty easy to imagine the ancient Greeks doing these.
2) Luge
The luge is sledding gone insane. It is the fastest event in all of the Olympics (summer or winter) and, aside from gymnastics, might be the one that requires the most muscle control. The only thing crazier than the luge is the skeleton, in which the pilot does all that zipping around, inches to the ground, face first.
3) Gymnastics
Like track and field, a lot of activities fall under gymnastics: floor, pommel horse, rings, balance beam, parallel and uneven bars. These athletes’ bodies are like perfect machines, and the stunts they do put Cirque du Soleil to shame.
4) Ski Jump
OK, we’re going to strap some pieces of wood to your feet and send you speeding down this hill. At the end, jump off, fly for a few seconds, and then land in one piece. Sound good? (For an example of when it didn’t work out so well, check out the “Agony of Defeat” guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinko_Bogataj)
5) High Dive
Perhaps I’m so impressed by this because the most I could manage as a kid was an arrow-straight, feet first, nose-holding plummet off of the high board. That someone has the ab strength to manage all those twists and turns and not manage to end with a giant backflop will always amaze me. Plus, there’s always the chance someone will chuck it all and do a cannonball.
Top Guy
1) Baseball
Sadly, the Beijing games will be the last Olympic hurrah for the greatest sport on Earth. It’s even sadder because baseball has truly become a world sport, with teams from North, Central and South America, Europe and Asia all holding medal hopes. Major League Baseball has filled the void, at least partially, through the World Baseball Classic, but winning that tournament can’t compare to Olympic gold.
2) Hockey
Without hockey, there would have never been the “Miracle on Ice.” As a three-year-old, I was too young to remember a bunch of American college kids upsetting the nearly invincible Russian squad, but I do remember the U-S-A chants in the theater when the based-on-a-true-story movie version hit the big screen 24 years later.
3) Swimming
I didn’t catch Olympic fever until I saw Michael Phelps win his first race. I don’t plan on missing any of Phelps’s events as he tries for an unbelievable eight gold medals. This also seems to be the sport with the most trash talking—Alain Bernard said the French were going to “smash” the Americans in Beijing, and the Australians raced right past U.S. swimmers in 2004 after American Gray Hall Jr. said that “We’ll smash them like guitars.”
4) Basketball
There’s a reason Yao Ming carried the flag for China this year: This sport has the most star power in the Olympics. The 1992 Dream Team was one of the best Olympic stories ever, and their dominating performance sparked a worldwide interest in the sport that has resulted in a huge infusion of foreign superstars (Ming, Dirk Nowitzski, Manu Ginobili) into the NBA.
5) Marathon
This could be considered the Olympic event. First, like the Olympics, it originated in Greece. Second, it embodies two-thirds of the Olympic motto: Citius (faster) and Fortius (stronger). Third, it’s coach potato proof—unlike beach volleyball or shooting, you can’t sit on your couch and (however fleetingly) think “I can do that.”
Sadly, the Beijing games will be the last Olympic hurrah for the greatest sport on Earth. It’s even sadder because baseball has truly become a world sport, with teams from North, Central and South America, Europe and Asia all holding medal hopes. Major League Baseball has filled the void, at least partially, through the World Baseball Classic, but winning that tournament can’t compare to Olympic gold.
2) Hockey
Without hockey, there would have never been the “Miracle on Ice.” As a three-year-old, I was too young to remember a bunch of American college kids upsetting the nearly invincible Russian squad, but I do remember the U-S-A chants in the theater when the based-on-a-true-story movie version hit the big screen 24 years later.
3) Swimming
I didn’t catch Olympic fever until I saw Michael Phelps win his first race. I don’t plan on missing any of Phelps’s events as he tries for an unbelievable eight gold medals. This also seems to be the sport with the most trash talking—Alain Bernard said the French were going to “smash” the Americans in Beijing, and the Australians raced right past U.S. swimmers in 2004 after American Gray Hall Jr. said that “We’ll smash them like guitars.”
4) Basketball
There’s a reason Yao Ming carried the flag for China this year: This sport has the most star power in the Olympics. The 1992 Dream Team was one of the best Olympic stories ever, and their dominating performance sparked a worldwide interest in the sport that has resulted in a huge infusion of foreign superstars (Ming, Dirk Nowitzski, Manu Ginobili) into the NBA.
5) Marathon
This could be considered the Olympic event. First, like the Olympics, it originated in Greece. Second, it embodies two-thirds of the Olympic motto: Citius (faster) and Fortius (stronger). Third, it’s coach potato proof—unlike beach volleyball or shooting, you can’t sit on your couch and (however fleetingly) think “I can do that.”
2 comments:
1. 400 meter dash -- I know that the 100 is the glamor race, but this is most dramatic of any race on the track.
2. Basketball -- The "Redeem Team" has a chance to recapture US basketball supremacy.
3. Anything Michael Phelps swims -- Like Top Guy, I hadn't caught the fever until Phelps and his relay team did the impossible.
4. Men's uneven bars -- Until last night, I didn't give a crap about gymnastics. The uneven bars portion of the team competition was pretty sweet.
5. 100 meter dash -- Like I said, it's the glamor race of the Olympics. Plus, the winner will undoubtedly be named "World's Fastest Human."
The Men's relay swim from Sunday night was the most amazing sports moment i have EVER seen. (And I watch quite a lot of sports....for a "girl") I actually hurt my shoulder cheering them on. That has to be #1.
Another great event will be Tyson Gay in the 100-meter dash. Set your Tivo or DVR for that one. He was AMAZING at the Olympic Trials.
And I can't leave out the Still Rings in men's gymnastics. It's not flashy. It's not exciting. But the control that those gymnasts have over their muscles is UNBELIEVABLE. If you've tried to do a pull-up lately, you have to appreciate that.
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