We watch the Olympics all day so that you don’t have to. Today we have a bunch of ruminations. Yesterday, they held the shot put, for which two Americans won the Gold and Silver medals. Upcoming will be the hammer throw. What I’ve never quite figured out is why they have both of these events in the Olympics – or for that matter, in existence. I know that they require different skills. But the differences seem forced, in order to create two events. In both, you are throwing a very heavy ball as far as you can – the difference is that for one, you attach a long cord to the very heavy ball and then fling it, rather than push it. Now, why someone ever attached a cord to it, I have no idea. Mind you, I like the hammer throw. I just don’t know why they have both events. For that matter, I’m not sure why they have three similar events if you include the discuss. That’s essentially like the shot put, with a big heavy ball that you throw as far as you can, except that they’ve shmooshed the ball plant into a disk. Again, I like it – maybe the most of the three. But…three?? There’s been a lot of talk during the Olympics about how hot it is in Japan, but it’s very difficult to get a perspective on that. Yesterday, though, I heard something mentioned by a one of the golfers on the U.S. women’s team. But first, some background: I’ve heard that the Japan organizing committee pulled a fast one on the IOC when they made their pitch to hold the games, putting together a brochure extolling how gorgeous the weather was in Japan during July and August. As the reporter said, actually all Japanese know that those are the two most brutal months. Yes, Tokyo held the Olympics in 1964, so I suspect the IOC figured all was well – except the games were pushed back a couple of months then, because of the horrific heat! Now, why no one on the IOC did a simple Internet search for “temperature Japan July August” is beyond me. (I just did do a search for those terms. The very first result says – “On an average day in July, the temperature in Tokyo can reach highs of 95-degrees F in July and August. When outside, stay hydrated with water, wear lightweight clothing, and you bring a fan with you.” Result after result all the same thing, how “notorious” the humidity is, making it seem even hotter than it is. And it is very hot. “August is the hottest month to visit Honshu. The weather is now sticky and humid with temperatures rising as high as 35°C on some days in Tokyo.” Yet somehow, the IOC missed this. Anyway, back to the story and perspective. They were interviewing American golfer Nelly Korda. She said that she lived in Southern California and to prepare for Japan, she went to Palm Springs (which is in the Mojave Desert) to practice. Temperatures there can reach 110-115, she said, “…and I played each day – as long as I was able to.” And then she added, “But it was nothing like this.” That’s the perspective. That is brutal conditions. And all the IOC had to do was have an intern do a search for “temperature Japan July August.” On NBC’s coverage of the shot put, they gave the results of the shot put in meters. The USA Network was covering the same event – the announcers would give the results in meters, too, but on screen, it showed the numbers in feet. I understand why NBC shows everything in meters – it’s international, and that’s what the Olympics use. But this is a TV show for an American audience – where everyone here uses feet and yards. When a race is a set distance, like 100 meters, it absolutely makes sense to present it in meters only, it’s all that matters. But in flexible events – like the shot put, high jump, pole vault, long jump and such – where the distances change and each inch matter, it seems like it would be a Really Easy Thing to convert the meters and present both numbers so the people you are actually broadcasting to could have a sense of the distance that would be meaningful to them. All year long, every year, all the time, Americans who watch track & field events know the results and records in feet and inches. So, why on earth during the Olympics – when you have your biggest audience, and that audience is entirely in America – would you decide to not use the measurement that you normally use the rest of your lives???! Not in place of meters, but alongside. And the reason we know it’s a Really Easy Thing is because…one of their own other networks does it!!! Karate was added to the Olympics this year by Japan. That makes sense. Until you see the event. Now, to be fair, there are different disciplines to the Karate competition, and I’ve only seen the first one. I believe it’s called “kata.” But – but – but – oh, my. Ohhhh…my. It’s one person on a mat, making various, intricate karate thrusts. They’re not competing against someone else on the mat, they’re not breaking board, they’re just…well, throwing out an arm, lifting an arm, swiveling, kicking a leg…alone. Into thin air. And apparently they’re judged on the accuracy and perfection of the moves. It’s like Kabuki Theater. It’s like judging a boxing match – expect there’s only one person in the ring, and he’s throwing punches at no one. It’s like judging ballroom dancers – but with only one of the partners on the dance floor and no music…as an Olympic event. Sorry, I’m sure it’s very traditional and meaningful in Japan. And it is very artistic and even highly impressive. Oddly fascinating to watch, briefly. But it’s performance art. It is not an Olympic sport. I’m sure that being able to do the karate moves perfectly alone are important to the ethos of karate. But it’s just moves you’re working on, hoping to get right, get perfect before your opponent enters to face you. It reminds me of the famous line by former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, who said about boxing, “Everybody has a plan – until you get punched in the mouth.” This is the plan before the punches start. The moves alone on the mat are deeply impressive, seriously impressive. But they are practice. They are shadow boxing looking into a mirror. Rehearsal for the show before the curtain goes up at 8 PM – without the other actors or orchestra. I am certain that some of the other Karate disciplines with competitors facing one another are Olympic sports. Not this. Not…this. Not kata. This is real talent, great talent. It is not an Olympic sport. And it’s mind-numbingly selfish, foolish and insulting to think or even suggest it is. And I’m sure you think I’m exaggerating. I’m not. Here. – More to come…
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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