[nemoforone]

[beethyday]

Have the US got a #1,#2 & #3 in any event like the Jamaicans did in the 200m? Cartoon seems to suggest the US would be even better at the Olympics if he ran it.

[zoneouddy]

Moreover aren't only two athletes from a given country allowed to qualify for the same event?

Given that Jamaica got all three medals in the mens 100 metres, what do you think?

[konanoileaski]

That would suck balls. There should be no dumb rules about amateurs, it should just be a spectacle of the best athletes in the world.

[Avoireeideree]

A staff member? You colonists are so gauche..

[topbonusescod]

I remember the times when the Olympics were for amateur sportsmen. I don't actually, but they were.
Just imagine how much better it would be if anyone participating in a world, continental or national cup or championship would be disqualified from the Olympics.

Communism ****ed that up.

State sponsored athletes were "amateur".

[WaydayNef]

We had the same problem in hockey.

[regfortruegoo]

Even with headgear (there's no reason that should be an impediment), the Olympic rules favor speed and precision over power. the "Pros" that trained as such from the beginning would have trouble adapting.

[TZtrDuso]

Have the US got a #1,#2 & #3 in any event like the Jamaicans did in the 200m? Cartoon seems to suggest the US would be even better at the Olympics if he ran it.

IIRC, they got 1, 2, and 3 in the 400m in Beijing. Hence why it was somewhat shocking when no Americans qualified for the final of the 400m in London.

[Uzezqelj]

Even with headgear (there's no reason that should be an impediment), the Olympic rules favor speed and precision over power. the "Pros" that trained as such from the beginning would have trouble adapting.

Wouldn't matter if all the boxers were Pros. Manny and Floyd would still win easily. But, most importantly, pro boxing is an individual sport where they make a lot of money, Olympic boxing would be a pay cut. But yes, pro and amateur boxing are two entirely different sports.

ACK!

[Lerpenoaneway]

Here's my quibble:

If synchronized swimming is an Olympic sport, why isn't cheerleading?

BION, I suspect for the same reason that many women's events have taken so long to reach the Olympics - too few nations have cheerleading squads. The US, and to a much lesser extent Canada, having competative cheerleading. It could be brought in under gymnastics, perhaps someday.

I'll stick with Beach Volleyball.

[avodeinst]

I think Rugby is the most popular sport that isn't in the olympics.

If Polo were in the Olympics Argentina would win always. But it is a sport for only wealthy people.

[codespokerbonus]

I remember the times when the Olympics were for amateur sportsmen. I don't actually, but they were.
Just imagine how much better it would be if anyone participating in a world, continental or national cup or championship would be disqualified from the Olympics.

I totally agree. I would also ban athletes that come from a country that didn't allow the athletes to participate as professionals.
It would change things for USA basketball and Cuban boxing, for two.

[euylvaygdq]

All about home team advantage (having more participants than any other country) We'll see how well that translates in Rio in 4 years.

[accotMask17]

True, but the automatic qualifying on some events doesn't hurt.

[forextradinginfo]

True, but the automatic qualifying on some events doesn't hurt.

Have any examples of a medal won by an automatic qualifier?

I don't see how "doesn't hurt" = "All about home team advantage (having more participants than any other country)"

I would guess GB will get between the Beijing and London final tally in Rio. Golds will become Silvers logic. Not Brass to Muck.

[Markdogas]

[Endatrybeeddy]

Well, going to be interesting when golf is added next go round.. Amateurs will not have a chance against the pros.

[tarmpriopay]

Yes, I expect the total to be somewhere in between also. Especially since Beijing was so bad and London was so sweet.

What is your definition of bad exactly? In Beijing GB got 19 golds - their second best Olympic performance up til then.

In Atlanta GB got 1 gold; After 1920 and before 2000 GB never got more than 10 golds in a single Olympics.

[Dr. Shon Thomson]

What is your definition of bad exactly? In Beijing GB got 19 golds - their second best Olympic performance up til then.

In Atlanta GB got 1 gold; After 1920 and before 2000 GB never got more than 10 golds in a single Olympics.

I class Beijing as absolutely our best Olympic performance by far (before 2012), 1908 was a completely different era and home advantage and being able to field people in all events really was a game changer. Unlike now.