Olympics: what needed, what's not | Greg Smith Personal Training

Having just watched (Channel 9) coverage of the Olympics, it seemed to me there?s a need to ditch some events. Of course everyone will have their likes and dislikes, but some events are just plain ridiculous.

Walking. It has to go. I mean, who walks like that, anyway? Looks like it?s bad for the hips and knees. John Cleese would probably not be happy it it disappeared.

Synchronised swimming. Another ridiculous spectacle (and what a spectacle). I certainly know that it?s physically demanding, but, again, who does that?

Gymnastics. They really have to cut down on the number of events. I had to sit by Natasha throwing a ball, flinging a ribbon and then juggling some tenpins. Sure, all skilful but are they ALL necessary. Same goes for the vault. Skiil required, but I prefer my gymnastics to last longer than five seconds.

Swimming. Now I?m a swimmer and I?m bored by it. Too many events. Let?s just stick to freestyle and just have medleys, instead of events for every damn stroke. No one swims butterfly to save their lives anyway.

Equestrian. Again, too many disciplines. And what about those poor horses made to prance and stop? If we?re going to have dressage, then let?s have sheep dog trials.

Archery. Nice pastime, but boring.

In essence, I?m all for eliminating events which are judged subjectively. After all, the original ethos of the Olympics was faster, higher, stronger. Lets just have events which can be measured outright.?

A number of the sports I?ve mentioned aren?t really practised in third world nations. So the notion of inclusivity isn;t all that great at the Games. Equestrian, and sports like rowing and yachting, are a little beyond the budgets of nations like Western Samoa and Burma.

Finally, I?m not that much of a fan of what essentially has become a marketing activity for major corporations. And it?s a big ask for athletes to pin their hopes on an event held every four years. For me, world titles are much better indicator of performance.

So, good luck to Brazil. Pity they don?t spend that much on preserving the rainforest.

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Part-time health and wellness advisor. I've won world and Australian titles in surf swimming and iron man. I am a registered level 2 personal trainer with Fitness Australia. Fulltime I work in PR. I have a PhD in communications.

Source: http://gregsmithpt.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/olympics-what-needed-whats-not/

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