Why are the Olympics biased towards Swimming?

[GWestphal]

Swimmers have like 20 events to win medals in, but everyone else just gets like 1 or 2. Basically, no other sport has a chance of breaking Phelps/Swimming gold medal record. That seems lame.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Track/Field.

Much depends on the team and quality of the athlete. Some of Phelps medals were team medals. Same could happen in the track relays.

 

[vi edit]

Eh, a track guy could do the 100, 200, 400, 4x100, 4x400, hurdles and some long and triple jumps for good measure.

Think Carl Lewis.

 

[sactoking]

Except for a once-in-a-generation talent like Phelps, Spitz or Summer Sanders swimmers don't get that many medal chances.

A swimmer like Amanda Beard would compete in 2 (100 & 200 breaststroke) events and a relay (Medley), Janet Evans was a 2 event swimmer (400 & 1500 freestyle) with no relay, Gary Hall or Alexander Popov were 2 event swimmers (50 & 100 freestyle) with 2 relays (200 & 400 freestyle), Ryan Lochte and Aaron Piersol were backstrokers.

In all reality, backstrokers tend to be backstrokers, breaststrokers tend to be breaststrokers, sprint freestylists tend to do sprint freestyle, distance swimmers swim only distance, and butterflyers tend to be well-rounded.

Actually, if you think about it Spitz, Sanders, and Phelps were all butterflyers.

 

[manimal]

its the camel toe

 

[pelov]

its the camel toe

It only took 4 posts in this thread. Good work!

 

[manimal]

It only took 4 posts in this thread. Good work!

When it comes to swimming toes I have much practice. I was a lifeguard as a teenager.

 

[Crono]

Because absolutely no one cares about competitive swimming outside of the Olympics. Might as well throw them a bone.

 

[Sonikku]

Because cheapskate Liberals wanted to save money by buying Chinaman outfits for our athletes and are trying to hide it by getting our athletes into swim suits instead for gay ass swimming.

 

[manimal]

Because cheapskate Liberals wanted to save money by buying Chinaman outfits for our athletes and are trying to hide it by getting our athletes into swim suits instead for gay ass swimming.

I take offense to this comment.

who swims with their ass?

 

[waggy]

I take offense to this comment.

who swims with their ass?

wtf. haven't you heard of the asstroke?

 

[mmntech]

Because absolutely no one cares about competitive swimming outside of the Olympics. Might as well throw them a bone.

I think that argument can be made for most Olympic sports. The only events people get pumped over are soccer and ice hockey.

 

[Lemon law]

Its obvious why the Olympic games are pushing swimming. Its patriotic future proofing for every nation in the world.

When global warming raises our sea levels, its a gonna be sink or swim. Pay attention boys and girls, learn from the experts, those that don't learn may sink.

 

[waggy]

I think that argument can be made for most Olympic sports. The only events people get pumped over are soccer and ice hockey.

perhaps. but i think people tend to watch A) the best chance we have at winning gold B) a sport they did.

I'm excited about watching wrestling. My daughter wants to see high level Gymnastics, i told my son there is Taekwondo and he wants to see it.

though i will most likely watch whatever is on. the only thing that bores me is Track and field.