Yesterday evening a looked at my twitter mentions and read “Why isn't this in
the Olympics?!” with a link to the following video:
Why isn’t this in the Olympics? Probably something about the
IOC not allowing any more gymnasts (of any kind, Artistic, Rhythmic or
otherwise) to join the Olympics… SHOULD it be an Olympic Sport? Absolutely.
Currently, the IOC considers Trampoline an Olympic Sport,
but doesn’t include Tumbling.
I will tell you, this stuff is super impressive. Former US
National Team Member Kiara Nowlin has been recorded performing as many as 12 standing fulls
in a row on a regulation floor.
All in all, Artistic Gymnastics will always be my number
one, but there’s something phenomenal about T&T that makes me want to keep
my eyes glued to the screen.
Yes, yes, yes!!!
ReplyDeletePlus, I think trampoline and tumbling have an aspect sorely needed in artistic gym- difficulty restrictions at the junior level.
I also think most of the gymnasts could afford to spend more time on the trampoline- gie them more time in the air to work on body position, etc.
If they added it, then WAG teams would probably have to shrink yet again.
ReplyDeleteKatrina, I accidentally deleted your comment! Feel free to post it again! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteThe one counter argument, the lone comment that actually made sense, is gone. Bekah, how could you?! Now I'm going to have to be the anti-hero, a cold smoothie cappuccino for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath. Try to be as calm and relaxed as you can. In two paragraphs you will probably hate me.
Power tumbling is essentially tumbling, which is all too common in other areas like cheer and dance, let alone artistic gymnastics, to make it a sport in and of itself. Besides, adding another activity to the gymnastics portfolio will only confuse (and bore) the TV audience, who are likely to change the channel. Coughing up market share isn't exactly what Comcast had in mind when they began spoon-feeding the IOC billions.
Trust me. Profit margins determine which sport(s) gain or lose their Olympic status. So do the tastes and preferences of the IOC's largest benefactor. It is the reason why baseball has been kicked to the curb, while X-Games are slowly becoming staples on the Olympic menu. It is the reason why the IOC watches over its WAG cash cow like a jealous boyfriend; it is also the reason why a Cold War gymnastics theme (Axis VS Allies) has been sewn into its fabric.
You make good points, Anon. I'm not really sure about what you said would supposedly make me hate you, but okay.
ReplyDeleteI agree that logically it won't be an Olympic sport, but I personally would love to see more gymnastics, of any kind.
Wow, I thought this blog entry would have rolled off the front page like a million years ago! Since it hasn't I might as well respond.
ReplyDeleteI figured you would hate me because I wasn't exactly agreeing with you, and it is easy to mistake a differing opinion as a personal attack. Thankfully you distinguish between the two! However, I still disagree with you about tumbling. Seriously, how can you expect a split-second sport, where athletes and judges have a hard time seeing what is going on, to be popular with people who watch gymnastics once every four years? After a handful of gymnasts it will all look pretty much the same.
Don't get me wrong. Tumbling can be packaged to appeal to a wide audience, but I doubt this will happen within the context of Olympic competition. When tumbling is incorporated with something more artful and presented as a series of vaudeville acts (a la Cirque du Solei) it is absolutely riveting.
I should probably have disagreed using that explanation rather than dredge up the politics of Olympic sport. It just makes me so angry to watch business interests pushing ethics, like sportsmanship and fair competition, out of the Games in order to make room for gluttony--i.e., marketing and advertising.
Broadcasters want drama in artistic gymnastics and we are seeing legislation that is bringing about just that: a scandalous code of points system, a qualification process that favors wealthy nations, and the few countries that do qualify are competing with even fewer members. All of this is happening so that TV viewers can watch more commercials between 'Komova' moments!
It's sad. And I am sorry for bringing it up.
you are so stupid its rediculous!
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