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Original poster

To ask what your new favourite random Olympic sport is

41 replies

bridgetreilly · 11/08/2024 20:10

Mine is speed climbing. Under 5 seconds! I’d be really happy to have more of all the climbing events on TV, tbh. I find it fascinating and exciting, and would never have expected it.

What have you unexpectedly enjoyed?

OP posts:
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Offcom · 12/08/2024 17:35

The BMX looks like a computer game! Incredible stunts. And all the teenage girl skater boarders were gloriously talented and seemed to really support each other.

Pole vault is always amazing, flinging themselves over a bar five metres in the air, sure, why not

PurpleReindeer2 · 12/08/2024 17:17

Kayak cross, speed climbing, boulder climbing all amazing. Even enjoyed the skateboarding. Break dancing was rubbish and I can see why it's not in the LA games.

OlympicsFanGirl · 12/08/2024 17:13

The climbing is amazing

HMTheQueenMuffin · 12/08/2024 17:11

bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 12:02

No! I am at the age where sports injuries can be caused by sleeping a bit funny. I will remain a sofa-based athlete.

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I did think the kayaking might be fun. Then I remembered I am 51, have arthritis in both my hips and two bulging discs in my spine.

I love eventing. i used to event only to adult novice level and whenever I watch the Olympics or Badminton et al I think I might try again.

Then I remember I am 51, have arthritis in both my hips and two bulging discs in my spine.

Sigh.

HumerousHumous · 12/08/2024 17:05

Skateboarding and the non speed climbing where they are holding on by their fingers and at an odd angle. And the young man got a gold!

BiscuityBoyle · 12/08/2024 13:12

crazyunicornlady73 · 12/08/2024 12:29

I loved the bouldering and lead climbing. I loved the fact that it was about solving a problem and not just about sheer physical ability. So you could see somebody be amazing on one obstacle then completely fail on the next.

I loved also that they worked together when they had the initial look at the wall. Discussing the route they might take and best places to hold or stop. I also loved the jeopardy when they did the lead climb in the combined. That even the best climber could put a foot wrong or slip or that someone who didn’t do so well on the boulder could get their way to the top.

crazyunicornlady73 · 12/08/2024 12:29

I loved the bouldering and lead climbing. I loved the fact that it was about solving a problem and not just about sheer physical ability. So you could see somebody be amazing on one obstacle then completely fail on the next.

Original poster
bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 12:02

BallooningBumblebee · 12/08/2024 10:45

Have any sports inspired you enough to give them a try?

No! I am at the age where sports injuries can be caused by sleeping a bit funny. I will remain a sofa-based athlete.

OP posts:
Original poster
bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 12:01

londonmummy1966 · 12/08/2024 10:43

I love rhythmic gymnastics - so elegant and graceful.

I always find modern pentathlon amusing - although I understand the reasoning behind the events selected it always seems a bit of a random collection of sports.

I went to see the rhythmic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham a couple of years ago. It is really incredible.

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LittleYellowCloth · 12/08/2024 10:53

Kayak cross and lead and boulder climbing are new favourites for me. Always love the gymnastics and the velodrome, but will be looking out for these two in future games.

AlecTrevelyan006 · 12/08/2024 10:50

BiscuityBoyle · 12/08/2024 09:55

I really enjoyed the climbing in the last olympics and just loved it this time. Speed, lead and boulder are all great.

Ditto

BallooningBumblebee · 12/08/2024 10:45

Have any sports inspired you enough to give them a try?

londonmummy1966 · 12/08/2024 10:43

I love rhythmic gymnastics - so elegant and graceful.

I always find modern pentathlon amusing - although I understand the reasoning behind the events selected it always seems a bit of a random collection of sports.

MrsLeonFarrell · 12/08/2024 10:41

bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 10:39

“Over-rotation” and “under-rotation” are terms I throw around if I want to sound like I have a clue. I am terrified of heights so I am in awe of anyone who can climb 10m and then do a handstand at the edge.

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I don't understand which rotation is which.

Original poster
bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 10:39

MrsLeonFarrell · 12/08/2024 10:37

Yes, mind you the rest of the details escape me, I'm in awe that anyone can dive at all.

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“Over-rotation” and “under-rotation” are terms I throw around if I want to sound like I have a clue. I am terrified of heights so I am in awe of anyone who can climb 10m and then do a handstand at the edge.

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JudgeJ · 12/08/2024 10:38

Karmaisac4t · 11/08/2024 20:11

The kitesurfing! Never seen it before

I hadn't seen it either and I used to race boats a lot years ago, I thought it looked fantastic, almost up there with Ben Ainslie v Robert Scheidt in Sydney 2000!
I also didn't realise that the trampoline was an Olympic event, I felt a bit queasy watching the GB gold medal competitor, forgot her name.

MrsLeonFarrell · 12/08/2024 10:37

bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 10:36

I like it because even I can see if there’s too much splash!

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Yes, mind you the rest of the details escape me, I'm in awe that anyone can dive at all.

Original poster
bridgetreilly · 12/08/2024 10:36

MrsLeonFarrell · 12/08/2024 10:35

I loved the diving. I only ever see it in the Olympics but it never gets old. Leon Taylor is such an informative commentator I always have the illusion I know what is going on!

I like it because even I can see if there’s too much splash!

OP posts:
MrsLeonFarrell · 12/08/2024 10:35

I loved the diving. I only ever see it in the Olympics but it never gets old. Leon Taylor is such an informative commentator I always have the illusion I know what is going on!

SockQueen · 12/08/2024 10:30

Skigal86 · 12/08/2024 08:30

Loved kayak cross and kite surfing. I prefer the lead climbing to speed climbing purely because you get to see the skill and technique for longer! Speed climbing is amazing though!

Same - I loved the skill and strength, mental and physical, of the boulder/lead climbing. Also really enjoyed the mountain biking.

I've always loved gymnastics and swimming, but that's nothing new!

Lincoln24 · 12/08/2024 10:23

Climbing and skateboarding for me too. I also really enjoyed the basketball.

Twenty20 cricket is in the next Olympics, I am really looking forward to that.

KreedKafer · 12/08/2024 10:19

The BMX racing (more so than the stunt riding, although I do like that too), mountain biking and all the kayak/canoe slalom stuff.

I also liked the rugby sevens. I find ordinary rugby union astonishingly tedious, but sevens is actually entertaining.

stonkytonk11 · 12/08/2024 09:57

Kite surfing was wild! Looks like it would be really tough but so much fun. The bmx racing was brilliant to watch too!

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 12/08/2024 09:57

Medal kissing, for me.

BiscuityBoyle · 12/08/2024 09:55

NevergonnagiveHughup · 11/08/2024 20:46

Not breaking. How can they suggest it’s a sport when actual worldwide sports like squash can’t get included.

Breaking isn’t in the next one, but squash is.

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