FIE/IOC Changes for 2008 OGs?

[Mergs]

Well, US MS & MF teams took 4th. Hmmmmmmm. Does that mean that these two events will be struck froom the 2008 Olympic games? Not that the precedent hasn't already been set with WF team.

[Purple Fencer]

I think the friggin' IOC should just suck it up, stop being stup up morons, and allow medals for all individual and team fencing events in both genders.

[S. Hunter]

The IOC is so insanely corrupt and money driven we can never expect an increase in fencing medals, only a decrease. The spirit of the games have died, and the IOC won't revive the true meaning of the olympics until the public voted with their pocketbook and boycotts them.

[Mergs]

I think the friggin' IOC should just suck it up, stop being stup up morons, and allow medals for all individual and team fencing events in both genders.

Struck a nerve, did I?

[Mergs]

Again, sorry, but I had to get one more post in.

[Rolls]

I honestly think that we'll see an increase of medals for fencing in 2008. I think there will be an individual and team competition in each wepaon for both genders.

It only makes sense that way. And the argument that teh IOC doesn't like "team" events in individual sports just doens't float with me. These events are basically the equivalent to a relay in swimming. You don't see a clamor to take those events away.

Rolls.

[edew]

They're (the team events) quite exciting, guaranteed to have a match between non-teammates, and was shown on US broadcasts. With all that, and the rationale to give equal opportunities for women and really the last request by the FIE for additional events, there's no fathomable reason NOT to offer those events in the 2008.

Sure, the US might not do as well in WET then (but then, who knows? Maybe Team Hurley might make the big break for the US), but I personally think WET is quite exciting. They have the best looking babes this side of the beach volleyball net. (Check out the Estonia team, or the Hungary team, or the French team, or the German team, or the Italian team, or the...[pick a country, including the US]).

[Inquartata]

Their "rationale" is really an excuse, and a pretty transparent one, given the inconsistency. "Yes, we're going to add women's weightlifting, and we're going to add synchronized diving events, but fencing? Whoa, wait a minute!"

I still say the bazillion swimming events belies their whole "too many events" position.

[sabreur]

Their "rationale" is really an excuse, and a pretty transparent one, given the inconsistency. "Yes, we're going to add women's weightlifting, and we're going to add synchronized diving events, but fencing? Whoa, wait a minute!"

I still say the bazillion swimming events belies their whole "too many events" position.

Well, there is swimming, which I used to do, and involves going up and down the pool a given distance as fast as you can. That is a sport, and the only added events in recent history have been the 50s.

On the other hand, there is water ballet, which has been added relatively recently (1984), and should be relegated to Esther Williams movies....

If they are interested in "TV appeal," why are there a bazillion shooting events? Why soccer, handball, baseball and basketball, but not rugby?

Why beach volleyball (the answer is obvious, I know, but it is a BAD answer)? Why don't they add skateboarding and BMX biking? Why track cycling and road cycling, but not mountain-biking?

The Olympics is so screwed up, the FIE ought to tell them to pound sand and withdraw from the whole circus.

MR

[edew]

There is mountain biking (x-country biking, I believe, is the name). At least there was that sport in the 2000 at Sydney.

[Inquartata]

Well, there is swimming, which I used to do, and involves going up and down the pool a given distance as fast as you can. That is a sport, and the only added events in recent history have been the 50s.

It is. But my point was that there is a clear inconsistency between saying that fencing, with 10 events, cannot possibly have 12 even to accomodate gender equality; but swimming can have what? 50 events? 60? However many there are. But this is perfectly acceptable. The IOC can think seriously about dropping fencing events, but the possibility of dropping one or two of the swimming events---horrors!

[sabreur]

There is mountain biking (x-country biking, I believe, is the name). At least there was that sport in the 2000 at Sydney.

I'll be damned, you're right...

http://www.athens2004.com/en/Cycling...Sport/redirect

MR

[edew]

Yeah, I predicted it in 1994...

[jBirch]

Well, I wonder if I'm the only one who finds it odd that a major US TV network basically determines what sports will be in the Olympics. Must be something in the water...

[edew]

He who has the gold makes the rules.