Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,625
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,625 |
We were watching the men's gymnastics too - unbelievable! Ian said only two guys in his high school could do the iron cross.
We watched a bit of the US women's qualifiers and I couldn't believe how many more rotations women do now than a decade ago. It's like figure skating too, I guess - the training just gets better and better. Man, the human body is a marvel.
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
|
OP
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
Off the top of my mind swimming would use pretty much every muscle (legs, arms, chest even the muscles in the neck) and while not at a competitive level most people can do it competently.
I'm more impressed with the rings in terms of how the muscles in the body are utilized and that is more focused with just the upper body.
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
most people could learn to row a boat or swim the breaststroke for example. Compare that to the pommel horse, balance beam, vault or rings. The learning curve and the combination of speed, strength, coordination, finesse, timing, pure born gymnastic athleticism would be too much for large majority of people to even execute a basic move of that particular gymnastic event. I'm totally blown away by the athletes on the rings. I'm amazed at the stress the upper body (tendons) can take with that event. Gymnasts are amazing, that's for sure, but how one excels is all the same. You choose to be a specific type of athlete, you dedicate yourself to attaining the best you can, and you train. For gymnasts to accomplish what they can, their path was no different from a rower or swimmer.
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
The chances of a catastrophic failure at the highest level of competition seems much more likely in gymnastics than in any other sport. I mean, there is "faster and slower", but when gymnasts don't perform to their peak, they fall on their faces. Much smaller margin of error between excellence, competence and failure.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,760 Likes: 40
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,760 Likes: 40 |
A moment of silence for the 11 Israeli Olympic athletes and coaches murdered in 1972 by Palestinian terrorists.
Gymnastics. I think gymnastics are the highest expression of human grace, strength and coordination.
Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
I forgot to hit [quote] but the following was originally posted by Wheelz. "Question - is their another Olympic sport that consistently uses every muscle in your body?"Absolutely. Between 1912 and 1952, you could compete in Olympic Architecture. Man, those guys were ripped!!! Not to mention the Olympic Painting event. It doesn't get more gruelling than that. Of course that was all before steroids. Imagine the buildings you could spec out out if you had the roids! Think I'm kidding??? Art competitions at the Olympic Games.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
I remember 1972. I continue to be horrified.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
Question - is their another Olympic sport that consistently uses every muscle in your body? Off the top of my head: Water Polo Swimming Judo Wrestling Gymnastics Kayaking Pole Vault High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Javelin Discus Hammer Toss Shot Put Hurdles Volleyball Basketball Weightlifting Rowing is a great and physically grueling sport -- don't get me wrong -- but your extraordinary claim that it is "easily the most difficult sport in the Olympics" requires extraordinary support.
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
I once paddled in a Davy Crockett Explorer Canoe and it was easily the hardest thing I did at Disneyland that day. Mainly because it was noon, 100 degrees, and the only way we were getting back to shade was to paddle ourselves back to the landing.
Um, except nobody else was f**king paddling!!! Except the guide and me. And yes, the little girl behind me must've thought hitting my paddle with hers was part of the "ride." I suggested she next visit "It's a Small World of Coordination."
I needed some Mickey Mouse Deodorant after that adventure.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
|
|
|
Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
|
OP
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
The chances of a catastrophic failure at the highest level of competition seems much more likely in gymnastics than in any other sport. I mean, there is "faster and slower", but when gymnasts don't perform to their peak, they fall on their faces. Much smaller margin of error between excellence, competence and failure. This is spot on.
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics24,967
Posts442,615
Members15,632
|
Most Online2,699 Aug 8th, 2024
|
|
0 members (),
982
guests, and
3
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|