olympics deprecation thread

Nah! BMX is a kids' sport.What does the "M" stand for? And the "X"?

Don't say that in front of Shaz as she is known for her sharp responses, with crash helmet.

BMX doesn't do it for me but the kids like it. And it is easy to film and is over quickly.

Jono

I know you won't have watched the Olympic road races.

BUT. Vinokourov and Vos where in tears after their victories. Sparticus was in tears after blowing his chance of victory.

Having a 25 mile time trial would win the support and fascination of every uk club rider who would identify with the time and distance. It would also place a yard stick of measurable performance into the minds of young novices who may aspire to try the discipline.

I think an Olympics10 mile TT would be too short, fast and frantic and a 50 mile TT too long a slog. But a 25 mile [presumably taking under 50 minutes] would be perfect.

Track cycling only serves to alienate many ordinary cyclists and people who may be interested in getting on a bike to get fit and race, seems to suit only the privileged who are lucky to live near to one of those fancypants velodromes.

It just seems to me the ‘ordinary cyclist’ of club level is of absolutely no concern and trampled underfoot of elitist endeavour, which in turn only alienates the majority of young boys and girls further away from a sport that is not the easiest to get into.

Whether a televised 25 mile time trial would be boring or not depends completely upon presentation, the potential is far more interesting with up to the second progress of time and distance, and TT certainly wouldn’t be anywhere near as the ‘out of touch’ cycle sport of going around in boring circles on the boring boards.

The 25 mile TT is also a British cycle discipline which would be appropriate for a Olymipics held in the UK.

Suit us Brits too, we’d be good at it : )

Debs

No, I watched them. I agree that an Olympic gold IS a big deal to the road riders nowadays, but the point I was making is that's that this is a relatively recent thing. Not so long ago, a road rider would have taken a tour stage over an Olympic gold, believe it or not (never mind, MSR or LBL).

They DO have a "25" ITT, Debs. (Or close enough. I think it is a little longer, this time)

Yep. Doesn't mean it is an "Olympic-worthy" event, though.

I can't agree, Debs. Track clubs are very keen for new members and go out of their way to be inclusive and encouraging of inexperienced riders. If anything, it is the road riders ware an be exclusionary and elitist. Velodromes are often grassroots affairs. Ours was built by volunteer labour and is far from some snooty club. In any case, I don't really understand the logic that track riding discourages cycling in general. One of the best things about cycling is that you an do it out your front door for very little money. Yep, bit more hassle to ride competition on the track, but lots of sports are logistical challenges.

A lot of sports are snobby at the top level. Imagine a working class kid trying to get into dressage, or horse hopping.

Lets start the campaign for Real Cycling at the Olympics.

The event should be held on a Sunday morning, the competitors should have to weave in and out of the traffic (and potholes), repair their own compulsory punctures, and will occasionally forget to bring a waterproof. After 40 miles they will stop for a bacon sarnie, a wee in the hedge and to gossip about the new flash bike somebody has brought. They will then hammer the last 20 until the old gimmer at the back gets cramp and one bloke has to go home early because he is supposed to be taking the kids out for lunch..

As for the  road-race medal, it follows the model of numerous one-day races in Europe and the like that are immensely popular, and absolutely part of the diet of the professional road racer.

I live in one of the best bits of the UK for cycling, challenging and generally under-trafficked roads abound. We might even get a Tour stage at some time. In the last year or so the surge in interest is obvious and I see so many more riders , including young kids in their Sky kit with their parents. This is great IMHO.

Bruce. MAMIL

Well 25 miles is 40Km so you can please both imperial and metric distance fans.

The TT is not called the race of truth for nothing.

Jono

Lets start a campaign for the real profession well minted and privileged athletes.

So that their greatness may crush the aspirations of ordinary young people who should know their place and be force marched to the factories to work for minimum basic wage and face the rip off heavy tax burden of 22 billion pound to pay for this muscle bound millionaires folly-jolly in the fascist police state of white elephant-land East London.

It's not a 25 mile TT then is it. 

Actually...

25 miles. = 40.2336 km

I stand corrected.

Jono

Well said, Debs.

steve

Perhaps we should campaign to end sponsorship and instead cover the cost of the Olympics from the "public" purse with each competing country paying according to its GDP or national head-count ?

Cheers

Don

Any corporate sponsorship money that is invested into the Olympics is money that has been ripped off the pubic in the first place, and this money is only invested, in other words they only do it to make capital gain from it.

Don, would you like a bucket of coke to wash down your supersize big mac and chips?

So Coca-Cola, MacDonald's and BMW are ripping off the public?  I thought they provided products and services (whether you like them or not) which their customers want and consider to be fair value?

Don,

The public pays for the olympics when they pay taxes, subscribe to cable tv and/or buy sponsors' products. Some even pay for tickets! Using sponsorship dollars doesn't  make the whole thing any less expensive at all. In fact, sponsorship is a very inefficient way to allocate capital. When things are sponsored, we get to pay over-paid ad execs' salaries and suffer through the interminable advertising they create for the privilege. We pay for every ad when we buy the products. There is no upside to this model. It is also a poverty trap. Look at the advertisers and consider which demographic buys these products at advertising-added prices.

Here's an idea, how about those that want to watch, pay full wack. That's right, let those who get the good seats pay for their privilege. Those that want TV access, pay full-dollar for an ad-free experience. It would be more efficient, and no-one would subsidise anyone else. We'd also perhaps be forced to truly contemplate the relative cost/value of watching life Vs. participating in life.

>  Some even pay for tickets! 

Yes me @ Eaton Dorney and it was the best organised event I've ever been to ... they even stopped it raining for 5 hours so I could enjoy the rowing in comfort.

I hope the Athletics is as good next week. 

Whatever it cost, it is worth every penny ... so far London 2012 has been wonderful 

(Much better than spending the cash on bombs, which I pay for out of my taxes, but would sooner those who wanted them paid for it instead of me)

The London 2012 event was full of happy smiling people, all being polite to each other and cheering on our team, whilst politely applauding other competitors ... I sat with people from the US, NZ, Denmark and Holland and all supported their teams without any sign of animosity. 

Although I'm in danger of sounding like Roy Wood, I wish we could hold this every year - most exciting thing that has happened around here this century. 

There was plenty of encouragement for people, especially the younger contingent to give it go ... so it is promoting participation and such a welcome change from trying to turn people in entrepreneurs (business is boring, but we have to eat, so at least lets do something better when we can). 

Bizarre statement.  So the major companies that sponsor the Olympics are making a mistake in doing so?  I'd suggest they're getting billions of impressions for their brands and associating themselves with the world's most prestigious sporting event.

Why are services of ad. execs any less valuable than those of other professionals, e.g. lawyers?

In fairness I've been unaware of the sponsors .. I know they are in the background, but no idea who they are or what they gave, but thanks for whatever they did do to make it all work so well ... I just bought some tickets and am enjoying every minute of it. 

Guy, as a Londoner, I have to agree. London has not seemed as lively, as friendly, as full of smiling happy people (from the city itself, and from all over the world) for years. May it continue! I can't recall being so proud to be a Londoner as I have these past few days.

Particular kudos has to go to the thousands of volunteers both at the venues and across the city, who have been absolutely superb.

I was at the women's synchro diving final today. The Aquatic Centre was decently full, all the represented countries had supporters in the arena. The atmosphere was electric, but also exceedingly friendly with everyone in very high spirits. Most people there were of course there to cheer on GB's Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow (who were early leaders but dropped down to fifth), but they were also hugely appreciative of the awesome skill and artistry of the Chinese.

Afterwards we went to Hyde Park to catch more action (boxing, footy, basketball, swimming) on the big screens - and again the atmosphere was marvellous - warm and welcoming. More of this please.

+1. I agree with your sentiment about the Games.Enjoy them as they're in your Country.Guido,I couldn't reply your posts in"Euro 2012 tournament" because I had serious problem on my home pc in that moment,as you could see.Sorry for that.I must  say I didn't agree with you on that issue,but I like your way of fighting.I respect the proposer of this thread.Then?No more Olympic games?No more Champions League?No more World Football Championship?Do they cost too much in this economic situation?Don't mix them up.