So, I have a confession to make: It always takes me a little bit longer than the average person to get into the Olympics. I’m just never all that excited about it. I mean sure, I’m all for global peace and building relations and all that jazz, but sometimes it’s just hard for me to get excited about the actual games themselves.
And some of these events are just kind of silly. I mean really. “Race Walking?” Really? I see how it is. We get a bunch of people who can’t run fast and we feel bad for them so we make an event especially made for walking. We don’t want to hurt the slow people’s feelings. Because that’s how politically correct we’ve become. Stupid.
10 Meter pistol and rifle shooting. Wait. Ok, c’mon. First of all, shooting isn’t an athletic event. It’s a skill. A very impressive skill at times, but still not an athletic event. The most “athletic” thing a shooter does is hold the gun and pull the trigger. So I have to wonder why it’s even in there. Heck, we might as well start playing video games in the Olympics. Except then we might as well just hand the gold medal to South Korea. But that’s not even the point. I’m sure these shooters are all very skilled. It’s the freaking Olympics after all. So why is this event only 10 meters?! 10 lousy meters?! Who COULDN’T hit a target from 10 measly meters?!? Heck, I could SPIT 10 meters!! Hey now that’s an idea! Now THERE’S an Olympic event! That would be way more fun to watch than the race walking.
I guess the Olympics aren’t really that bad. I’m probably just irritated because the summer games conflict with America’s national pastime. But that’s ok. I can always watch baseball in the Olympics!
Wait…WHAT?!?!?!
Heh, baseball might be making a comeback here in Pittsburgh since the Pirates might actually be having their first winning season in two decades, but I’m sure that any hope we have of building a franchise will be immediately farmed out to other teams next season =^^;
As far as competitive shooting goes, I’ve shot competitively, I see what you mean in that it usually doesn’t involve running fifteen miles while dodging obstacles. (Although they do do that in the winter olympics) Heh, and frankly I agree that it is generally boring to watch. But the biggest difference in competitive marksmanship is that it is all about calm. Most other athletes get psyched up to run, hit or throw. To get that adrenaline pumping to push their body to the limit of charging performance. The marksman is quite the opposite. One must not allow any distraction to come between them and the target, it is almost a zen state of calm. An Olympic class shooter can actually stop their heartbeat before taking the shot!
You don’t achieve that level of body control by drinking beer and sitting on the couch watching the TV! =^^=
Ten meters seems like nothing, but the game is not won on merely hitting the target, but punching a hole perfectly through the dead center every time. The “X” ring is not much bigger in diameter than the bullet you are shooting…
Heh, I wish we could get together down at the range sometime and punch some holes in paper, or maybe ring some metal, which I think is a little more fun! =^^=
Thanks for the perspective! That was really interesting to read, and I hadn’t considered any of that. If I’m ever in your area, we TOTALLY need to go shooting, and you can show me how it’s done! As for your Pirates, it’s so good to see them playing good ball!!! I hope they continue to do well (unless of course we meet in the playoffs). And I’m not just saying that because McCutchen is on all of my fantasy baseball teams.
You know…
The World Championship in Bellyflops are held in Oslo, Norway in June every year..
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10009076
(Article is in Norwegian, but there’s a film clip there, so… )
That is AWESOME!!!
I didn’t know his cap was permanently attached to his head.
He just doesn’t like to be without his hat.