I abhor the Olympics.

[BiscuitTrouser]

I went and saw the fencing live the other day. Watching some girls move faster than i can see with a pair of swords was pretty damn entertaining. Sword fighting is awesome. I bet youve watched lord of the rings? You wasted 3 hours watching fake people fake sword fight and i spent 1 hour watching real people real sword fight and it was freaking awesome. Youve wasted a HUGE deal of your life so belittling someone else for watching sport instead of "making that new recipe" or "working out" is hypocracy to the extreme. I mean you sat down on your ass and typed this for a good deal of time, i bet youve watched youtube videos? I bet youve watched a bad movie? WHY! Go help down at the soup kitchen instead! Go do something else arbitrarily.

Basically any time NOT spent curing cancer or helping the homeless or fixing up ruined war torn countries could be called a "waste of time" but we do it anyway. To deny that is to be a liar. How is what you do for fun (read, watch TV or talk to people?) less of a waste of time than watching sport. How the hell are YOU helping the world? Whats so special about what YOU do? Give us an insight into your day.

 

[Sandjube]

Fair enough, yo. Opinions and shit. In this case I agree with you, but yeah.

 

[hazabaza1]

All that money they spent on sports could have gone somewhere useful. Like the medical industry.

Replace "Sports" with anything and there's apparently an argument there.
"All this money spent on video games could be used for medicine!"
"All this money spent on film could be used for medicine!"
"All this money spent on developing cars could be used for medicine!"
"All this money spent on the new coke flavour could be used for medicine!"

So yeah, unless you're willing to only use money on what is necessary to survive that argument is bullshit.
Otherwise, while I don't like sports, I agree with your mother. Get over yourself.

 

[gibboss28]

I did have a quite a long hefty response to your pointless rant, but this will have to do. Shut the fuck up, get over yourself and if you truly don't give a shit about the Olympics avoid it.

If people in London where the damn things are being held can avoid it I fail to see how you, who lives in Australia can't.

 

[goliath6711]

It's so popular that the distance London went to prepare for it is horribly ludicrous. Did anyone read that article Cracked wrote about that? You should be offended. A new lane on 39 kilometers of roadway reserved exclusively for Olympic workers, athletes and sponsors, NOT emergency services. A gigantic wall to protect Olympic buildings even larger than the Berlin Wall at its prime. The largest, smartest network of CCTV cameras, wasted on searching for counterfeit merchandise of that garish mascot Wenlock when they could be used to catch, I don't know, drug dealers and murderers!
All that money they spent on sports could have gone somewhere useful. Like the medical industry.
And it saddens me.

I really hate it when people try to use that as their point when they lash out against something that they personally hate. The "There are so much more important things that money could be spent on" excuse. Let me ask you this: What entertains you? What thing out there gives you personal joy? Whether it be movies, music, television, literature, games (other than sports), or any type of art, there definitely has to be something out there to you that gives you some form of personal entertainment. And I guarantee that whatever that is, the time, effort, and/or money spent on that would be better used to help the less fortunate or to better stabilize the portions of society that are vital for survival. Are you willing to say that your favorite thing in the world needs to go away for the betterment of society? And I'm not talking about when a widespread crisis occurs because anyone can say it then. I'm talking about right now, when it's minding its own business just being presented to those who want it like all entertainment. And that's what sports is in general and the Olympics specifically; entertainment. It's also one of the few times when most (if not all) of the world can join together in something that doesn't involve killing each other. Do you really want to get rid of that?

 

[In Search of Username]

I never understood the appeal of sport either. Maybe participating, but WATCHING sports is just a completely weird thing for people to find entertaining, to me. And specifically rooting for one team against the other - why? They're just two teams of people trying to win, neither of them is representing any kind of idea or something. I don't understand how you'd even pick between them.

But, whatever, I'm not as angry about it as you, it's just another thing I don't understand. And sure, the money could have been spent on better stuff, but at least money spent on the Olympics isn't being spent on wars, or tax-cuts for the ultra-rich, or any of that other bullshit. At least this is something a lot of people consider good. Could be worse.

 

[Dwarfman]

You want to the end one of the few events, in the history of humanity, that has managed to unite people from everywhere under one common banner and transcends the squabble of politics? The Olympics is a symbol of global unity. For a short time, people put aside national politics and petty squabbles and compete together. Aside from maybe the Pope, and the UN the Olympics rest as one of the few things that the world universal recognizes as something good or at least sacred. Even people who try to bomb the Olympics do so knowing its something that would affect the entire world. It more then sports, its a global event event. Even if you think its pointless at least recognize that there is more to it then just a few competitions.

I was trying to work out how to reply to the OPs ramblings but you sir have hit the nail on the head. I think some people need to realise that these events exist for the sole purpose of bringing people together and to have fun. If people don't understand this then they really need to get out more often.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Eh... Your arguments are dumb. Yeah, I agree it's on everything and that's annoying, but I don't have a problem with the actual event.

But I don't understand how watching or playing sports is any more of a waste of time than playing games or doing any other recreational activity. It just happens that you don't like it. The fact that it's reality tv doesn't really make it worse, that's just silly. Sure, Bullet For My Valentine are metal, and I think they're shit, but I can still love Anthrax.

 

[MammothBlade]

I'm glad, I agree with the OP. The Olympics are terrible... although I have my own reasons for hating it, as an unnecessary display of commercialism, groupthink, and wasteful pomp. It's the absurd corporate exclusivity which really pisses me off above all. You want it to be an exercise in groupthink and collectivism yet strictly enforce branding regulations... how ridiculous.

 

[Geo Da Sponge]

Suddenly I'm reminded of this Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal comic:

I mean, I don't like sports but you have to seriously loathe it to hate the Olympics. At the very least they're worth it as an excuse to do a load of impressive stuff just for the hell of it, since I think the world is rather lacking in the impressive-yet-pointless department.

My only problem with the Olympics is the way the media starts talking about the results. The competitors are no longer competing for themselves, they're competing "for the nation", as if it was all a big team effort. Proving that you are the third best person in the entire world at something is no longer impressive, it become "settling for bronze".

 

[The_Waspman]

Its not so much that I hate the olympics, its that I honestly dont care. What bothers me most, as a UK resident, is that we're supposed to be so happy with ourselves for the fact we're hosting the event. Happily overlooking the fact that its going to cripple our already piss poor economy.

Also, the press. Yes, it is very nice to get away from all this 'which celebrity is in which sex scandal today' bullshit, but I checked the papers today, and its all 'Hooray! We (well, I say 'we', by that I really mean "someone from our country") came second place in one event. Lets all cheer and be really proud of ourselves!'

Now I'm not knocking the athletes (well, except footballers, seriously, fuck those guys) because frankly, the amount of time and dedication it takes to reach that level of, uh, athlete-ness is admirable. I cant even survive one track of a spin class without shedding half my bodyweight in sweat. But like I say, its that everyone goes so batshit crazy over it.

Y'know what else I find sad? This whole issue over the fact that they couldn't get enough security for the event. I find it sad that a major sporting event like this, which is supposed to be something akin to world unity or something, needs to have so much secuirty because there is a very real chance that some terrorists are going to try and blow it all up.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

snip

Okay, I'm not a big sports person either, however most of the people in the world are. The Olympics is a great event for international relations, its pretty much a politics free zone. The Olympics also brings a great sense of national pride to the host. Watching that opening ceremony reminded me that we British have a lot to celebrate. We were the vanguards of the industrial revolution, dragging the world kicking and screaming in to a new age of prosperity. For decades we were the biggest influence on music with bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden... We even brought Jimi Hendrix, an American, into the spotlight.

The actual sporting events aren't important, it's what the Olympics stands for, Peace and friendly competition.

 

[Dwarfman]

And specifically rooting for one team against the other - why?

Because it's YOUR TEAM & COLOURS & CITY & STATE. You take pride in it the same way someone takes pride in their uniform or flag or customized gaming computer. That pride turns to passion and single-minded patriotism. It makes the blood boil and endorphins surge through your body. It makes you giddy and exhillerated, angry and lust-filled for more.

You mightn't understand these things because you have only watched these thing on TV and in a small way I was like you once. I never liked or understood football (soccer). To me it was dull and boring and served no purpose. Then I was invited to a game by my Exec. Chef who is Scottish - enough said! I had my doubts and even turned him down at first. But then I went. It was only a small crowd. Maybe a few thousand. But the roars, the cheers, the expectations and let downs and then at long last GOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

The team we were watching actually lost that night. But no matter I was hooked. Nowadays when ever I get the chance to see a game I'm there with the rest of the orange army to see my TWO TIME! TWO TIME! A-League champions Brisbane Roar in action.

 

[Fasckira]

I see no point in the Olympics, or any sport for that matter, whatsoever. Take hockey, for example. You watch twenty or so burly blokes whack a puck around and MAYBE get it into the net for about an hour. What could you have done in that hour? Could you have cooked that recipe you always wanted to try? Could you go watch that movie you heard was pretty sweet? Could you perhaps, by any chance, exercise so that you would be fit enough to maybe play hockey yourself?

I watch hockey to pick up tips and ideas for when I play hockey. Oh, that and the fights, gotta love the fights.

Its fine that you dont like sports though, I used to be pretty much the same. Couldnt see the point in watching them and whenever people would try to engage me in sports-related conversation I'd just dismiss them.
Thing is that the majority of people do like sports and thats what justifies things like the Olympics and the cost involved. Sports aside, its also a great time for the UK to show off (point in case - the opening ceremony on Friday night).

 

[Iron Criterion]

The only thing that annoys me about sports is the whole 'we' or 'my' thing - such as "good match last night, we totally beat you". No you didn't, it was your team that won whilst you just sat at home and watched the event on television.

I don't mind sport, if it offends me I just ignore it, which unlike what you suggested is entirely possible with the Olympic games.

 

[Dwarfman]

I'm glad, I agree with the OP. The Olympics are terrible... although I have my own reasons for hating it, as an unnecessary display of commercialism, groupthink, and wasteful pomp. It's the absurd corporate exclusivity which really pisses me off above all. You want it to be an exercise in groupthink and collectivism yet strictly enforce branding regulations... how ridiculous.

Now this is something I can partly agree on - although I don't understand what you mean by groupthink or collectivism and pomp is never wasteful. Just excessive. And fun when done right.

Back in the day the modern olympics charter stated that only amateur sportsmen/women could compete in the olympics. It was never about companies or specific teams or brands. It was about scarily talented people putting in their personal best for their country and themselves. Of course naturaly this ticked off the companies and sponsors and big name pro-athletes. And so certain sports such as basketball and tennis wound up in the olympics and with them came the corporate branding and bad pomp - Remember nothing worse than bad pomp.

And of course all the sports that really have no place in the olympics. Like BMX. What the heck is BMX doing in the olympics. What's next? Golf? Heck! Why not Beer Pong, hell I was surprised it didn't happen at the Sydney Olympics.

 

[ChildishLegacy]

I just like the way counties of the world can come together and do something other than fight, bicker, and wage war

That's the reason I like them. I really am not a sports enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination, but it's the whole world coming together and saying "let's just have a bit of a game shall we?", and any disputes are left at the door. I actually think we should extend this idea further than sports, because it's a fucking good idea.

 

[Jeremy Meadows]

While I'm not super excited about the oylimpic sports (gymnastics, diving, etc.), I don't mind watching it. I'd rather we place more emphasis on these types of altheltes then the ones we pay millions of dollars for only playing close to 6 months out of the year. These people work thousands of hours to day to become the best and compete agaisnt the best. Major league altheltes just get signed and make millions regardless oh how good or bad the team does. And I don't think that's right. So I'll support the oylimpics and watch whatever I can on my breaks from work.