Nope, don't see the banning cycling argument at all. Certainly for other sports such as the equestrian events, it's a pinnacle event and they will be building a horse up and train it specifically to peak for Rio
How to fix golf at the Olympics
- Thread starter muttleee
- Start date
I think its still the world championships on the road and track. If you win one of the titles you get to wear a rainbow jersey for future events of that discipline. so if you win the time trial, all time trials for the next year you compete in the jersey.
You certainly can't use money earned as the benchmark for Olympic participation. Usain Bolt is a multi millionaire. Bradley Wiggins contract at Sky is touching if not over, a 7 figure sum at Sky. When the US basketball dream team first entered the Olympics that was a valid argument but those days are long gone.
I am with the pinnacle of the sport argument, that is the test for me, and for cycling as an example, track and time trial Olympic Gold is the peak of their sports. The Tours are a different discipline and there is no equivalent in the Olympics for those medals so there is no conflict there.
I am with the pinnacle of the sport argument, that is the test for me, and for cycling as an example, track and time trial Olympic Gold is the peak of their sports. The Tours are a different discipline and there is no equivalent in the Olympics for those medals so there is no conflict there.
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Deleted member 1147
Guest
So basically if a sport has a World Championships, or major titles to compete for it shouldn't be in the Olympics, as surely the WC's are the pinnacle of that sport, it making you the best in the world at said sport.
So no Boxing, Golf, Tennis, Rugby 7's, Football, Athletics, cycling (road & track), etc etc etc
So no Boxing, Golf, Tennis, Rugby 7's, Football, Athletics, cycling (road & track), etc etc etc
When Chris Hoy is introduced he is always known as Six Time Olympic Gold Medalist. The number of World titles is never mentioned.
jp5
Q-School Graduate
I think you've missed the point.
I was meaning Professional cycling. maybe more of a road thing then. Track champs maybe more inclined to the Olympics. When Boardman won the pursuit it was a big deal but that was prior to professional being allowed in.
Didn't Lance win the first Prof road race?
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Deleted member 1147
Guest
The point is that Golf is in the Olympics, there is no point moaning about it, it's in!
The OP asked how to make it better than just 72 hole strokeplay - so all of the moaning about pinnacle, competitors earnings etc have naff all to do with it.
The OP asked how to make it better than just 72 hole strokeplay - so all of the moaning about pinnacle, competitors earnings etc have naff all to do with it.
It's the ebb and flow of a thread. Sometimes it is nice to take a small diversion and then return to the main point. The diversion taken here is still relevant as golf comes into the category that people are talking about, sports that maybe should not be there. As you say it is there so that is that but it doesn't mean we have to be entirely rigid in our answers does it?
jp5
Q-School Graduate
And the answers of many people of how to fix golf at the Olympics are to remove it!
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
You could go down to the 5th most important title they'd like to win for golfers, and an Olympic gold would still not figure. It's probably even less important than the US PGA, and that's saying something. 
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Deleted member 1147
Guest
If they were to make it, like football, for under 21's or limited it to amateurs only. Then it could be a huge event for those participants.
Imagine If you were Luciane Lee, world number 349 on the WAGR and Brazil's number 1 female amateur.
Are you telling me that competing at a home Olympics, representing your country and having a chance at a medal would be wrong just because Tiger Woods is well paid and the majors are the pinnacle of Golf?
Imagine If you were Luciane Lee, world number 349 on the WAGR and Brazil's number 1 female amateur.
Are you telling me that competing at a home Olympics, representing your country and having a chance at a medal would be wrong just because Tiger Woods is well paid and the majors are the pinnacle of Golf?
jp5
Q-School Graduate
Agreed, but as an event for professionals it seems utterly pointless.
muttleee
Tour Rookie
Exactly! Bearing that in mind, how should we change the format of the golf event in 2016 (which is definitely happening whether we like it or not)? You could always leave it as 72 hole strokeplay which would probably mean its swift removal after 2020 (which is probably what most people here would prefer
) but assuming you're trying to create an exciting event, how would you go about it?
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Off topic but for those who think golf shouldn’t even be there. Remember Golf has been given one discipline (stroke play singles) for men & same for women for a period of two Olympics before it’s reassessed
To put it in context:
I'm not even going to think about track & field and relay events
You really think there’s no place for a game of golf!
I don't think a 72 hole stroke play is the best format but golf should certainly re-take its place in the Olympics
To put it in context:
- Sailing will have 6 different men’s disciplines alone
- Cycling will have multiple track disciplines plus the road variants (without adding mountain bike and BMX which are separate & comps for both men & women)
- Archery will have both singles and team disciplines
- Nine shooting disciplines just for the men
- Eight different men’s rowing disciplines
- Trampoline gymnastics will make an appearance
- Synchronised swimming still in
- 34 swimming distance disciplines (17ea for men & women)
- Eight different men’s weightlifting categories
- Singles, double and mixed doubles for badminton
- Singles and doubles for diving
- Five different fencing disciplines for men & five for women
I'm not even going to think about track & field and relay events
You really think there’s no place for a game of golf!
I don't think a 72 hole stroke play is the best format but golf should certainly re-take its place in the Olympics
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Deleted member 15344
Guest
Because cycling is comparable to golf in terms of the Olympics not being the pinnacle event but no ones calling for an exclusion, maybe because we get medals in it (introducing formats of cycling to the discussion isn't really valid for me because we could just do the same for tennis or golf etc)
Maybe we should look to exclude boxing then, surely its not the pinnacle of the sport and with 10 weight divisions its probably over represented when compared to Volleyball or Badminton
Umm Olympic boxing is the pinnacle of the Amatuer Boxing world
The Olympic track cycling is the pinnacle of those events
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Deleted member 15344
Guest
Yes I think there is no place for golf regardless of how many disciplines other sports has - not sure why that makes a difference
Golf has yearly major comps which will always take priority over the Olympics - always
There are a limited number of events that can be fitted into the Olympics. For golf to be in something had to be left out. I think many would be believe there are other sports, less well publicised, that need a bigger boost or publicity than golf does. I love watching events at the Olympics that I would not watch at other times as they don't get tv time.
I think a straight strokeplay event will leave people cold as it is no different to the other events going on during the rest of the golfing calendar. Make it a team event.
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Its relevant because some sports appear saturated which you're fine with while golf getting one single discipline is freaking you out
I think one of the reasons golf has created other major championships is because it wasn't in the Olympics for so long And despite what assumptions folks make, if they get the format right then being Olympic golf champion for 4 years will mean something to the top pros
For the neutral spectator golf is no more exciting/appealing to watch than say sailing, yet golf has managed to make multiple annual tournaments for its players that you rate ahead of an Olympic medal. This is not golfs fault, nor is it a reason for it not to be back in the Olympics
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
I agree a team event would be most appealing for me too
As for other sports getting left out... I think the inclusion of the trampoline & rhythmic gymnastics shows us that every sport can get itself into the Olympics
A great many sports overlap when they take place, I think there's plenty hours in the day
