While watching the Olympics, I’ve been intrigued by the “sport” of curling. It’s like watching a chess match on ice. It takes great skill, strategy and precision. However, it takes more than skill and ice to be worthy of an Olympic event.
Let’s be honest…some of the women’s teams have members that look 50+ years old and a little on the hefty side. Do you really think that a 200lb Merry Maid wearing a polo shirt and carrying a broom is worthy of the same exact medal as a downhill skier or 1500m speed skater? I say “No!”
Here’s what I think are the minimum requirements for an event to be “Olympic worthy.” Assuming that all events require great skill, we’ll just cross that off the list as a given. The event must either be physically demanding or the risk of serious injury must be present. Many events combine both. Let’s look at a few examples:
1) Downhill skiing - Physically demanding and a high potential for injury
2) Speed skating - Physically demanding. I guess a fall could cause some injury when you slam into the wall
3) Ski Jumping - Doesn’t look that physically demanding, but a fall would mess you up. Just think back the ABC wide world of Sports dude that slipped off the end of the ramp. Not good.
OK - you get the idea. Let’s look at curling again. Physically demanding? Ummm, your pushing a rock on ice…not that hard. Serious injury? Maybe a splinter from the broom…tweezers and a band-aid and you’re right back out there. It just doesn’t fit the bill.
Let’s put this in perspective. Curling is shuffleboard on ice. This is the same game that 75-year old men wearing polyester are playing on cruise ships! Worthy of an Olympic Medal???? DEFINITELY NOT!! It’s a good thing they didn’t ask me.
J