[asharbiq]

How did "walking" ever become elevated to an Olympic event? Not only is it absurd in concept, it looks totally hideous. It makes as much sense as having a "hopping on one foot" event, or a "walking backwards" event.

The only criterion for a foot race should be the ability to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, and obviously that is by running.

Most sports, when executed well, have an inherent elegance. Walking just looks ridiculous, and the quicker it's done, the more ridiculous it looks - and most of the competitors infringe in any case.

I have similar opinions about some of the swimming events.

I can think of at least 6 sports which should be included ahead of "walking".

[DownloadADOBEsoftware]

Well it's cleaner than diesel.

[Enjoymms]

Walking is the human version of trotting horse races (except the humans don't pull a buggy and don't get shot when they break a leg - perhaps they should)

[nilliraq]

How did "walking" ever become elevated to an Olympic event? Not only is it absurd in concept, it looks totally hideous.

I get your point completely.

I for one could never imagine a person escaping a sinking boat, swimming back to shore
doing the butterfly stroke.

[Alliopeti]

I agree 100%. If humans want to travel quickly on land they run.

As someone once said - cannot remember who - having a walking race is like having a competition to see who can whisper loudest.

Ditto butterfly and breast stroke. Let them have a swimming race independent of stroke. Fastest wins.

And maybe backstroke.

[xquFzpNw]

Ditto butterfly and breast stroke. Let them have a swimming race independent of stroke. Fastest wins.

They do, it's called "freestyle".

[suilusargaino]

I agree 100%. If humans want to travel quickly on land they run.

As someone once said - cannot remember who - having a walking race is like having a competition to see who can whisper loudest.

Ditto butterfly and breast stroke. Let them have a swimming race independent of stroke. Fastest wins.

And maybe backstroke.

So you'd like to see walking replaced with backwards running?

Sounds reasonable.

[Alliopeti]

They do, it's called "freestyle".

That's right. Get rid of breast stroke and butterfly. No races, no competition, no medals.

[Alliopeti]

So you'd like to see walking replaced with backwards running?

Sounds reasonable.

Maybe I wasn't clear. Get rid of backstroke.

[nilliraq]

Ditto butterfly and breast stroke
Butterfly stroke is completely unnatural & exhausting.

Breast stroke on the other hand is a natural swimming stroke, very easy to do,
does not sap as much energy & is a efficient alternative to freestyle.

[BokerokyBan]

What are the criteria for the inclusion of an olympic sport?

[BokerokyBan]

Though I mentioned I think on the other forum an electronic switch in the shoes, much in the same way as fencers would get rid of alot of the problems.

[xquFzpNw]

Maybe I wasn't clear. Get rid of backstroke.

Heck, why even swim, there's dry land either side of the pool. Let them choose to run along the edge or jump in the water as they please!

And the diving, that's hardly an efficient way to enter the water. Cycling? There's no real road that looks anything like a velodrome! And all those team sports are just stylised substitutes for an all in brawl!

[nilliraq]

Synchronised swimming should be banned


has anyone ever suggested that before

[Alliopeti]

Butterfly stroke is completely unnatural & exhausting.

Breast stroke on the other hand is a natural swimming stroke, very easy to do,
does not sap as much energy & is a efficient alternative to freestyle.

Yes, perhaps I am being a bit harsh.

On the other hand, walking is a natural movement, very easy to do, does not sap as much energy & is an efficient alternative to running.

Although probably not when racing.

[nilliraq]

Yes, perhaps I am being a bit harsh.

On the other hand, walking is a natural movement, very easy to do, does not sap as much energy & is an efficient alternative to running.

Although probably not when racing.

swimmers doing the breast stroke don't look wanky like walking racers, no matter how fast they try to swim the breast stroke.

[Alliopeti]

swimmers doing the breast stroke don't look wanky like walking racers

I certainly agree.
So should not looking wanky be part of the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of Olympic events?
(Wave goodbye to synchronized swimming.)

[Vikonbarius]

> I can think of at least 6 sports which should be included ahead of "walking".

Name them. Are you thinking of the "vertical pole" perhaps?

> What are the criteria for the inclusion of an olympic sport?

They get suggestions for new Olympic sports all the time. Then someone from the Olympic committee comes out to study the sport in action and depending on their evaluation it is either included as a new Olympic sport or not.

[nilliraq]

So should not looking wanky be part of the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of Olympic events?
exclusion, for sure

[arindiruppyr]

So you're all arguing that any sport that seems in some way "unnatural" or "forced" shouldn't be an Olympic event?

So lets can the Olympics. They're all arbitrary on some level.