Well, I am pretty excited. There are loads of Scottish athletes going, many of whom you see at 'normal' running events all the time, so it does feel like something we've all got a (very tiny) stake in.
The road race shouldn't be in the games. Too many variables. Horses for courses means a gold medal can be manufactured for a rider. Time trial is a much purer event.
The road race shouldn't be in the games. Too many variables. Horses for courses means a gold medal can be manufactured for a rider. Time trial is a much purer event.
Best will in the world, if the dressage or rugby 7s was happening in the field at the bottom of our road I wouldn't have gone and canvassing a few people at work no-one else would go, so can understand why maybe the locals aren't rushing to watch
Animal abuse? Have you ever seen dressage? Dress a horse up dead nice and trot around on it for a bit. You couldn't treat it much better if you took it to a spa.
Dressage has many animal welfare issues associated with it. Just watch it on the telly & you can see the animals' 'conflict behaviours' when they are forced into positions that aren't natural for them, and may cause them problems: head shaking, pulling the reins out of the jockey's hands, gaping, and tail swishing at greater frequency from just fly swatting!.
The rollkur technique, where the horse's neck undergoes hyperflexion as their chin is pulled in to their chest by the jockey caused a bit of a 'thing' in 2012, and many of the jockeys received threats from animal-lib types. Not sure it's allowed at competition level anymore?
I shouldn't have watched van Vleuten's bike accident yesterday. It's made me feel a bit funny in the tummy. But at least she was a willing participant and knew all the risks - unlike the horsies.
Dressage is my least favorite olympic event. I wouldn't want to watch people dancing, why would I want to watch a person trying to get a horse to dance. If you wanted to include dancing dogs as an event people would think you're crazy.
Brazil is undergoing a huge scale recession, even amongst the previously well off, so few locals can afford tickets, and if you could only afford one ticket, I suspect early-round women's 7s isn't high on your list.
Add to that that it's a long way from Europe and the Americans can't sue anyone if they contract the Zika virus, and it's hardly surprising that the crowds are a bit sparse.
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi were similarly poorly attended, from memory.
Anyway - fantastic swimming from the Peaty one. 2 world records and a gold medal in a couple of days. Not bad going.
Swimming and athletics are the favourites. I like the cycling too, and gymnastics, but when none of them are on, it's good to sample some sports I don't normally watch. Not a huge fan of the team sports (hockey, rugby, football etc), but I saw some of the fencing yesterday, and quite fancy giving it a shot now. Unlike the diving, which you will never get me doing unless I'm in a burning building and it's the only way out. But great to watch.
Weightlifting is always good for a bit of entertainment - only really see that once every 4 years on TV.
It was all filth. The commentator (whoever he are) seeing fit to say "And that's what we want from our boys - a strong, vertical entry, with minimal splash"
Comments
Olympic golf is going to be exciting isn't it?
Well, I am pretty excited. There are loads of Scottish athletes going, many of whom you see at 'normal' running events all the time, so it does feel like something we've all got a (very tiny) stake in.
the cycling was good
Can't complain that the road race didn't go down the wire. Good stuff.
Definitely, enjoyed it.
The road race shouldn't be in the games. Too many variables. Horses for courses means a gold medal can be manufactured for a rider. Time trial is a much purer event.
Enjoying it all today.................road race was more dramativ then expected!
Easier said that done judging by yesterday!
The audiences are a bit of a disappointment though, watching dressage at the moment, the place is half empty
More like 9/10ths empty for the dressage.
Best will in the world, if the dressage or rugby 7s was happening in the field at the bottom of our road I wouldn't have gone and canvassing a few people at work no-one else would go, so can understand why maybe the locals aren't rushing to watch
Animal abuse? Have you ever seen dressage? Dress a horse up dead nice and trot around on it for a bit. You couldn't treat it much better if you took it to a spa.
Loads of empty seats at the synchro diving too...
women's 7s was excellent I thought. Some great running on display.
Lots of sports which I wouldn't offer a second glance to. But I wouldn't question their validity.
Last time (London 2012) I was asked on more than one occasion if (1) Had I bought tickets? and (2) Had I volunteered?
My answers were based on the principle that I'd rather be a participant in the main event rather than be a bystander.
It's the same reason why I don't watch blue movies.
🙂
Dressage has many animal welfare issues associated with it. Just watch it on the telly & you can see the animals' 'conflict behaviours' when they are forced into positions that aren't natural for them, and may cause them problems: head shaking, pulling the reins out of the jockey's hands, gaping, and tail swishing at greater frequency from just fly swatting!.
The rollkur technique, where the horse's neck undergoes hyperflexion as their chin is pulled in to their chest by the jockey caused a bit of a 'thing' in 2012, and many of the jockeys received threats from animal-lib types. Not sure it's allowed at competition level anymore?
I shouldn't have watched van Vleuten's bike accident yesterday. It's made me feel a bit funny in the tummy. But at least she was a willing participant and knew all the risks - unlike the horsies.
Dressage is my least favorite olympic event. I wouldn't want to watch people dancing, why would I want to watch a person trying to get a horse to dance. If you wanted to include dancing dogs as an event people would think you're crazy.
Brazil is undergoing a huge scale recession, even amongst the previously well off, so few locals can afford tickets, and if you could only afford one ticket, I suspect early-round women's 7s isn't high on your list.
Add to that that it's a long way from Europe and the Americans can't sue anyone if they contract the Zika virus, and it's hardly surprising that the crowds are a bit sparse.
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi were similarly poorly attended, from memory.
Anyway - fantastic swimming from the Peaty one. 2 world records and a gold medal in a couple of days. Not bad going.
Hi guys!
So what sports do you watch the most?
As much as I can.
Swimming and athletics are the favourites. I like the cycling too, and gymnastics, but when none of them are on, it's good to sample some sports I don't normally watch. Not a huge fan of the team sports (hockey, rugby, football etc), but I saw some of the fencing yesterday, and quite fancy giving it a shot now. Unlike the diving, which you will never get me doing unless I'm in a burning building and it's the only way out. But great to watch.
Weightlifting is always good for a bit of entertainment - only really see that once every 4 years on TV.
Diving / gymnastics clash at 8pm - thank goodness for t'internet.
Tom and Dan are very easy on the eye aren't they?
thank goodness for Sky and The Bees v The Robins
The BBC saw fit to show this example of our divers celebrating.
Me thinks someone is having a laugh at Daly's expense for being gay.
🙂
It was all filth. The commentator (whoever he are) seeing fit to say "And that's what we want from our boys - a strong, vertical entry, with minimal splash"
Filth.
🙂