statsman
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BMX bike racing and...trampoline? When did trampoline become an Olympic sport? My hubby was complaining because it seemed like all they were ever showing was gymnastics or diving, at least once Phelps was done with his swimming. Once the regular gymnastics was over they began with the "rhythmic" gymnastics during which one dances around with a ball or hula hoop or ribbon. I suppose it is for those who couldn't cut it with the real gymnastics sports. Meanwhile, there were a lot of events that didn't seem to get any coverage at all, like weightlifting (a popular choice at our house).Not a lot of coverage for any of the track and field either, with exception of the sprinters which I find fairly dull to watch. I would much prefer to watch long jump or pole vault or discus or just about anything other than just...running fast.
Trampoline is new this year. A friend of mine called it gymnastics with a bounce.
Ryythmic gymnastics has been in for a few Olympics now. It originated in Estonia (I think). It is a separate discipline from regular gymnastics as the ball, ribbon effects are judged in addition to the actual body movements. an acquired taste I fear.
I agree with you about weightlifting, especially the lighter divisions where the participants are sometimes lifting twice their own body weight.
Track & field (athletics) coverage left a great deal to be desired. Also a lack of coverage of the distance track events.
US coverage (regardless of the network) deals with events which have a built in rating (sprints) or those events where an American is likely to receive a medal. British and Canadian TV do the same thing. These companies all paid big money for the TV rights and they are only going to air the events that will get them big ratings and big ad dollars. I remember a Canadian won a medal in rapid-fire pistol or somthing similar. When was the last time you saw TV coverage of that event? We got it up here (delayed) only because a Canadian won a medal.
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