Anyone else watching the Olympics? I always enjoy watching them. So far have caught a bunch of kayak races, mountain bike, fencing, swimming, etc.
Yes, I’m watching. Sporadic because who has time to see it all? Also, plenty of events I’m not remotely interested. Boxing, hockey, badminton. Bleh. I wasn’t planning to watch the judo, but the women’s match came on and it was interesting.
My fave events of summer Olympics are gymnastics, skateboarding, and the bike trick riding (don’t know what it’s called) BMX something? Oh who knows. The Brits are doing well in the medals.
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My daughter started playing field hockey a couple years ago so hockey is one we’ve been trying to catch when the time zone permits. Also it turns out that hockey is the only event this year being played at a location that was also used for the Paris 1924 Olympics, which is cool. Stade Yves-du-Manoir - Wikipedia – it was the main stadium used for 1924.
Archery is another one I’ve caught some of.
My favorite summer event has long been the whitewater canoe/kayak slalom races. This year they’ve added a new event to that, “kayak cross” – rather than a single kayak going down a course at a time, they drop 6 I think kayaks in at once who all race simultaneously. That should be coming up in a few days.
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Me too, especially the floor, women’s uneven bars & balance beam. I also like watching the weightlifting.
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I was out most of the day, so I recorded the men’s’ bmx freestyle. OMG. What I saw was beyond insane. One of the commentators said about one rider “he’s defying the laws of physics” and I have to agree. Can’t wrap my head round what these riders do. All they have as protection are mouth guards and flimsy looking helmets. I’m completely blown away by the talent and guts it takes to take part. I can’t find the listing for the women’s’ event. Hopefully tomorrow? My mind is blown. This event is a must.
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Another thing that occurred to me is the other disciplines are taught, often from a very young age. These bmx riders learned their craft on building sites and scrapyards, anywhere with challenging terrain, most likely on sub par bikes. It’s another thing I give them extra credit for. I think this is only the second time it’s been allocated Olympic status. It’s a great addition. It’s now vying with gymnastics as my top watch.
ETA - Simone Biles ia a goddess.
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Kayak cross was a great watch. I like the standard timed races but it does start to get repetitive as the rounds go on. The cross event goes quick and always something interesting happening.
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Also cool: sport climbing. Watched both the speed climbing and the bouldering early rounds today.
Kevin, On your recommendation, I watched the kayak course. It was fun. I cracked up when they had to go round the obstacles and got in a tangle. Would watch it again.
I saw the climbing wall, too. The lightning women’s race which I think broke a speed record. And the men’s which was bonkers. I
want to see the finals of that. Need to check times. I’m disgusted that I missed the women’s aquatic gymnastics or whatever it’s called. The BBC showed the winners routine (China) and that’s it. My daughter said it was hilarious and I missed it. Now we get the really shit events. Volleyball. Ping friggen Pong. Since when is that an Olympic event? It’ll be chess next or timed fruit picking. I loved the skateboarding. I watched all of it. A lot of the competitors were kids! 14 years old! Most had already suffered bad injuries, but so dedicated. I respect them. That’s another great watch. Apparently it’s the hardest discipline and the good skaters are breathtaking.
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I live in a different time zone, so far I was able to watch some swimming, track & field and tonight, platform diving I think it’s called. I find it amazing the somersaults & twists they can do mid air before diving into the water.
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