***Paris 2024 Summer Olympics: July 26-August 11*** USA dominates medal count; Finish tied w/ China for most golds - See ya in Milan 2026! (2 Viewers)

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Didn't see an Olympics thread and I did one for the 2020(1) games, so thought I'd fire up a new one for this year. Starting to see lots of buzz with all the trials going on, etc. Getting pumped to watch again!

Here's the schedule for this year:

https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule

TV schedule (thanks @GregR !):

Olympics schedule 2024: Day-by-day TV coverage to watch Paris Games on NBC channels, stream online | Sporting News

Sporting News has the full broadcast schedule for the 2024 Olympic Games, including how to watch all live action in the United States.

www.sportingnews.com

Ways to watch (thanks @FairWarning!):

Paris Olympics 2024 Channels Number, Apps, and Where to Watch Games Online

Catch the Paris Olympics 2024 on various broadcast channels, apps, and live streaming platforms worldwide. Find out how to watch your favorite events and athletes in real-time.

www.jagranjosh.com

AP Olympics news feed:

https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Medal tracker:

Summer Olympics Medal Count - ESPN

Check out the Summer Olympic medal count

www.espn.com

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

https://www.fastcompany.com/91148971/i-tried-the-wild-nike-cooling-boots-that-athletes-will-wear-at-the-olympics

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Thank God Col NRJ is here to work as the Olympics Ambassador
I don't watch all the games and unfortunately some of the coverage isn't all about the athletes
Put all that aside, there are some things I am eager to watch.
I always enjoy the races, 100M, 200M, 400M, relay teams, men, women, RUN RUN RUN!
Most of the Track and Field will draw me in.

 

[Gally]

Olympics have definitely lost a lot of the hype for me over the years. It used to be a big deal to carve out time to watch. The last couple Olympics the coverage was so spread out (good and bad) that I never knew when anything was on or what channel it would be on so it was kind of out of sight out of mind and barely watched anything.

I also much prefer the off sports that you don't get to see every day as that is much more fascinating to me than the mainstream sports that we get thumped over the head with that focus on one or two athletes that you don't know that anybody else is competing.

I am not sure what I would do if I was in charge of the programming/format for the Olympics but what they do now really lessens my interest.

 

[gump]

 

[CletiusMaximus]

For me, Peacock is the greatest thing to happen to live and replay coverage of the Olympics. For the first time ever in the 2022 winter games I was able to watch every event I wanted to watch live or on reply in its full glory - not just a few minute snippets of coverage for a 2-3 hour event. I didn't have to watch a single minute of sappy human interest stories about the athletes - just pure coverage of the events that I was interested in. I'm looking forward to this as I know I'll be able to watch what I want, and only what I want, when I want, and not be force-fed the events I'm not interested in.

 

[STBootleg]

Skateboarding!

 

[Yo Mama]

Who are the FBG-adjacent olympians we should all be rooting for? We should compile a list for some good vibes.

A guy on my son’s HS track team made the US team in the 10,000 meter race - Nico Young. I think his race is on 8/2.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Breakdancing and trampoline gymnastics have potential

 

[bryhamm]

For me, Peacock is the greatest thing to happen to live and replay coverage of the Olympics. For the first time ever in the 2022 winter games I was able to watch every event I wanted to watch live or on reply in its full glory - not just a few minute snippets of coverage for a 2-3 hour event. I didn't have to watch a single minute of sappy human interest stories about the athletes - just pure coverage of the events that I was interested in. I'm looking forward to this as I know I'll be able to watch what I want, and only what I want, when I want, and not be force-fed the events I'm not interested in.

This will be the first olympics for my family with peacock. Looking forward to being inundated with coverage.

 

[The Z Machine]

Olympics are boring.

 

[culdeus]

Olympics have definitely lost a lot of the hype for me over the years. It used to be a big deal to carve out time to watch. The last couple Olympics the coverage was so spread out (good and bad) that I never knew when anything was on or what channel it would be on so it was kind of out of sight out of mind and barely watched anything.

I also much prefer the off sports that you don't get to see every day as that is much more fascinating to me than the mainstream sports that we get thumped over the head with that focus on one or two athletes that you don't know that anybody else is competing.

I am not sure what I would do if I was in charge of the programming/format for the Olympics but what they do now really lessens my interest.

I dunno. Summer stuff is mostly played indoors or in lights. This allows the time zone mismatch to be not so bad and show key stuff live.

Winter I feel like they struggle. Alot.

That being said the sheer volume of commercials is worth turning in only occasionally.

 

[the moops]

Olympics are boring.

Pfft. Go piss in a different thread.

Stoked for the Olympics.

Top 5 for me would be sport climbing, basketball, golf, track and field, skateboarding

 

[culdeus]

Is it too get off my lawn to hate sports with pros or anything that is in the x games?

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Love watching the Olympics.

My favorites in no particular order - Swimming (not diving), Track and Field, Archery, Canoeing, Handball (because I don't have a clue of the rules but it seems to be something that should appeal to the US market), Volleyball + Beach Volleyball.

Everything else comes after those but if it's on, I'll watch it.

I just found out that Break Dancing is an Olympic Sport this year?

And Kayak Cross is a new sport also? Yes sir....

And the surfing competition will take place in Tahiti? That's weird.

 

[zoobird]

Who are the FBG-adjacent olympians we should all be rooting for? We should compile a list for some good vibes.

A guy on my son’s HS track team made the US team in the 10,000 meter race - Nico Young. I think his race is on 8/2.

Way to subtly slip in the fact that your son was on the best high school long distance track team of all time!

 

[zoobird]

Who are the FBG-adjacent olympians we should all be rooting for? We should compile a list for some good vibes.

A guy on my son’s HS track team made the US team in the 10,000 meter race - Nico Young. I think his race is on 8/2.

Semi adjacent...Maxine Esteban, a fencer from the Philippines, but competing for Ivory Coast, is the daughter of a close friend of my sister-in-law

 

[Zegras11]

A frat bro of mine @zamboni @bigbottom had his daughter make the Women's Volleyball team. She was a 2-time NCAA player of the year at Stanford.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

For me, Peacock is the greatest thing to happen to live and replay coverage of the Olympics. For the first time ever in the 2022 winter games I was able to watch every event I wanted to watch live or on reply in its full glory - not just a few minute snippets of coverage for a 2-3 hour event. I didn't have to watch a single minute of sappy human interest stories about the athletes - just pure coverage of the events that I was interested in. I'm looking forward to this as I know I'll be able to watch what I want, and only what I want, when I want, and not be force-fed the events I'm not interested in.

For those who have lived near enough to Canada, CBC has also been a network that promotes actual events over crappy "human interest" stories. I really don't care if Grandma has been following around some kid, show me the live action. Not hours later when the results are already known.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

A frat bro of mine @zamboni @bigbottom had his daughter make the Women's Volleyball team. She was a 2-time NCAA player of the year at Stanford.

This team is going to be alot of fun. They aren't favored this year, will need to play perfectly to get to another final. Current odds have Italy as a strong favorite with Turkey, then Brazil and the US a bit further back, roughly even with Serbia. I'll be watching all these games.

 

[Yo Mama]

Who are the FBG-adjacent olympians we should all be rooting for? We should compile a list for some good vibes.

A guy on my son’s HS track team made the US team in the 10,000 meter race - Nico Young. I think his race is on 8/2.

Way to subtly slip in the fact that your son was on the best high school long distance track team of all time!

Yeah, fortunately for my son (because the distance / cross country teams were crazy with year round workouts), he was sprints/hurdles.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I'd rather watch sports

 

[nirad3]

A frat bro of mine @zamboni @bigbottom had his daughter make the Women's Volleyball team. She was a 2-time NCAA player of the year at Stanford.

This team is going to be alot of fun. They aren't favored this year, will need to play perfectly to get to another final. Current odds have Italy as a strong favorite with Turkey, then Brazil and the US a bit further back, roughly even with Serbia. I'll be watching all these games.

With my daughter a competitive volleyballer, I will try to watch as many of these games w/ her as I can...

Will also be watching hoops and perhaps soccer too. Swimming can be fun, same with some of the track events.

 

[Gally]

Olympics are boring.

I definitely think the Olympics have lost something. I am not quite sure what it is, but it definitely has lost the excitement that once surrounded them for me.

 

[Chemical X]

is the break dancing venue a ripped open cardboard box?

 

[Yo Mama]

is the break dancing venue a ripped open cardboard box?

Held in a high-school quad.

 

[bryhamm]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

 

[Gally]

Handball (because I don't have a clue of the rules but it seems to be something that should appeal to the US market),

I have always enjoyed watching this but I generally can't ever find when/what channel it is on. In the past I have just stumbled upon it but that usually is more of time filler for partial games. I don't know if I have ever been able to see a complete game.

anything that is in the x games?

I just found out that Break Dancing is an Olympic Sport this year?

These don't seem like Olympic sports to me. I think some of what may be detracting for me is the amount of things like this just being added what seems like randomly. I get it it's all about money and the more sports, participants, etc brings in more money but more is not always better.

 

[Scoresman]

Olympics are boring.

I definitely think the Olympics have lost something. I am not quite sure what it is, but it definitely has lost the excitement that once surrounded them for me.

I think for me I've just become so jaded by the world and my own country for reasons we cant discuss without a political forum. When I was young, it was a mark of pride to see our athletes on the podium with the anthem playing, or following the medal counts. Now? Meh. For me, that is definitely a driver of my waning interest.

I dont think the athletes or sports themselves have gotten worse. There was the one year where the US Gymnastics team was seemingly more interested in being divas than winning, and they unsurprisingly disappointed, but outside of that, I dont know that the sports have changed at all.

 

[Gally]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

In my college english class one of our assignments was to write a paper providing a detailed definition to a common word. Sport was the word used as an example and it really prompted a ton of debate over the years as everyone seems to have differing views of what constitutes a "sport".

It is really amazing at how many people take not being a sport as a huge negative as if it lessens the difficulty of the activity in some way. Some of the things that need to be included for my definition are the following:

• Must have a competitor that directly influences the competition. For example, in bowling the competitor can't influence the other bowler during competition. I do not consider mental pressure because the other guy scored well as a direct influence parameter.
• Must have a non-subjective score. For example, gymnastics is based strictly on subjectivity so it would not count. While football is sometimes subjective (did the ball cross the goal line) by and large it is not strictly subjective.
• Must have an active component. For example, chess would not count. Sitting and moving pieces is not active enough.
• Must not be strictly limited to the individual's genetics with no outside factors (kind of ties to the first bullet). For example, running the 100 m. You will run as fast as you can run and don't really have anything to do with what the other guy runs.

OK. flame away and burn it down. hahahah

 

[Gally]

I dont think the athletes or sports themselves have gotten worse. There was the one year where the US Gymnastics team was seemingly more interested in being divas than winning, and they unsurprisingly disappointed, but outside of that, I dont know that the sports have changed at all.

I think the athletes have changed even if the sports haven't exactly changes. I think the athletes are in it for themselves now where before it was more about country and pride to represent your country. Many athletes are now more about their image, brand, and future money and it really degrades the purpose of the Olympics to me.

This is especially so in the "marquee" sports like gymnastics, swimming, track, etc. I think it's why I like a lot of the lesser known sports because the athletes are not as "look at me". It's more really about representing your country.

 

[bryhamm]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

In my college english class one of our assignments was to write a paper providing a detailed definition to a common word. Sport was the word used as an example and it really prompted a ton of debate over the years as everyone seems to have differing views of what constitutes a "sport".

It is really amazing at how many people take not being a sport as a huge negative as if it lessens the difficulty of the activity in some way. Some of the things that need to be included for my definition are the following:

• Must have a competitor that directly influences the competition. For example, in bowling the competitor can't influence the other bowler during competition. I do not consider mental pressure because the other guy scored well as a direct influence parameter.
• Must have a non-subjective score. For example, gymnastics is based strictly on subjectivity so it would not count. While football is sometimes subjective (did the ball cross the goal line) by and large it is not strictly subjective.
• Must have an active component. For example, chess would not count. Sitting and moving pieces is not active enough.
• Must not be strictly limited to the individual's genetics with no outside factors (kind of ties to the first bullet). For example, running the 100 m. You will run as fast as you can run and don't really have anything to do with what the other guy runs.

OK. flame away and burn it down. hahahah

Agree with all of this list. We worded things differently but had the same gist (no judging allowed).

The funny thing is I would get my buddy to agree to the same list, then say ... well, track and field is not a sport then. His jaw dropped and said "no way". I said you are mixing up something that requires athleticism vs something that is a sport.

Seems we could find something that made us scratch our heads, but it was funny to slot things that seemed like a sport into not-a-sport category. We then concluded that almost all of the Olympics is a skill competition and not sports.

 

[Gally]

The funny thing is I would get my buddy to agree to the same list, then say ... well, track and field is not a sport then. His jaw dropped and said "no way". I said you are mixing up something that requires athleticism vs something that is a sport.

It's interesting when you start listing out things that don't meet that definition of sport. You get a lot of people upset...hahaha For instance some that fall below the threshold:

• Track & Field
• Swimming
• Gymnastics
• Golf
• Bowling
• Archery
• Figure Skating
• Cycling
• Darts
• Poker
• skiing
• chess
• Auto Racing
• Horse Racing

*Most of which are primarily Olympic type "sports".

 

[the moops]

The funny thing is I would get my buddy to agree to the same list, then say ... well, track and field is not a sport then. His jaw dropped and said "no way". I said you are mixing up something that requires athleticism vs something that is a sport.

It's interesting when you start listing out things that don't meet that definition of sport. You get a lot of people upset...hahaha For instance some that fall below the threshold:

• Track & Field
• Swimming
• Gymnastics
• Golf
• Bowling
• Archery
• Figure Skating
• Cycling
• Darts
• Poker
• skiing
• chess
• Auto Racing
• Horse Racing

*Most of which are primarily Olympic type "sports".

How are you not classifying most of those as sports?

 

[bryhamm]

The funny thing is I would get my buddy to agree to the same list, then say ... well, track and field is not a sport then. His jaw dropped and said "no way". I said you are mixing up something that requires athleticism vs something that is a sport.

It's interesting when you start listing out things that don't meet that definition of sport. You get a lot of people upset...hahaha For instance some that fall below the threshold:

• Auto Racing

*Most of which are primarily Olympic type "sports".

This one was the hardest to slot to us. I can't remember how we ended up with our wording, but it had to do with being able to directly influence your opponent. This was to eliminate darts, bowling, etc. But you kind of can influence your opponent in auto racing. I don't really recall where we ended up slotting this one.

 

[bryhamm]

The funny thing is I would get my buddy to agree to the same list, then say ... well, track and field is not a sport then. His jaw dropped and said "no way". I said you are mixing up something that requires athleticism vs something that is a sport.

It's interesting when you start listing out things that don't meet that definition of sport. You get a lot of people upset...hahaha For instance some that fall below the threshold:

• Track & Field
• Swimming
• Gymnastics
• Golf
• Bowling
• Archery
• Figure Skating
• Cycling
• Darts
• Poker
• skiing
• chess
• Auto Racing
• Horse Racing

*Most of which are primarily Olympic type "sports".

How are you not classifying most of those as sports?

Not a sport. It's an athletic skill competition.

 

[Gally]

How are you not classifying most of those as sports?

Go back and read my previous post that listed the criteria to qualify as a "sport".

 

[Gally]

This one was the hardest to slot to us. I can't remember how we ended up with our wording, but it had to do with being able to directly influence your opponent. This was to eliminate darts, bowling, etc. But you kind of can influence your opponent in auto racing. I don't really recall where we ended up slotting this one.

While it also takes a toll physically on the driver, I think it was eliminated because the car is doing most of the "athletic" work. It is definitely a tough activity to place for sure. I think intuitively for me because its driving a car it doesn't seem like it should be considered a sport.

 

[Chris B.]

I'm usually 100% TEAM USA, but I hope both basketball teams lose early and often.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

My objection isn't so much about what is and isn't a sport, although ribbon waving and any activity that needs someone to tell you who won at the end just isn't. My objection is 20 minutes of human interest backstory for a sixty second event just isn't worth watching.

 

[culdeus]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

My objection isn't so much about what is and isn't a sport, although ribbon waving and any activity that needs someone to tell you who won at the end just isn't. My objection is 20 minutes of human interest backstory for a sixty second event just isn't worth watching.

I thought the last few Olympics they dialed back the backstory like 50% or more. They just replaced it with commercials

 

[BrutalPenguin]

I'd rather watch sports

Reminds me of a friendly debate I had with a buddy trying to define what is a sport vs what is simply an athletic skill.

My objection isn't so much about what is and isn't a sport, although ribbon waving and any activity that needs someone to tell you who won at the end just isn't. My objection is 20 minutes of human interest backstory for a sixty second event just isn't worth watching.

I thought the last few Olympics they dialed back the backstory like 50% or more. They just replaced it with commercials

Admittedly, I wouldn't know since I haven't watched the last 4 olympics. But commercials don't sound much better.

 

[The Gator]

[.]

 

[Kuz]

For me, Peacock is the greatest thing to happen to live and replay coverage of the Olympics. For the first time ever in the 2022 winter games I was able to watch every event I wanted to watch live or on reply in its full glory - not just a few minute snippets of coverage for a 2-3 hour event. I didn't have to watch a single minute of sappy human interest stories about the athletes - just pure coverage of the events that I was interested in. I'm looking forward to this as I know I'll be able to watch what I want, and only what I want, when I want, and not be force-fed the events I'm not interested in.

Sweet. I didn't know that - Thanks..

 

[FreeBaGeL]

• Must have a competitor that directly influences the competition. For example, in bowling the competitor can't influence the other bowler during competition. I do not consider mental pressure because the other guy scored well as a direct influence parameter.

This is my sticking point and main definer as well. Though when I had this discussion with my wife the other day it nearly had me sleeping on the couch because my definition eliminated gymnastics from being a sport but did not eliminate Nascar.

 

[krista4]

Well thank god someone started this! I've been searching and searching but I'm too lazy to start my own. I haven't read through the thread yet, but just wanted to mention that Olympics threads always make me miss @MikeIke .

 

[krista4]

Well thank god someone started this! I've been searching and searching but I'm too lazy to start my own. I haven't read through the thread yet, but just wanted to mention that Olympics threads always make me miss @MikeIke .

Good lord, why are so many people who don't like the Olympics in the Olympics thread? SCRAM.

 

[Chris B.]

For me, Peacock is the greatest thing to happen to live and replay coverage of the Olympics. For the first time ever in the 2022 winter games I was able to watch every event I wanted to watch live or on reply in its full glory - not just a few minute snippets of coverage for a 2-3 hour event. I didn't have to watch a single minute of sappy human interest stories about the athletes - just pure coverage of the events that I was interested in. I'm looking forward to this as I know I'll be able to watch what I want, and only what I want, when I want, and not be force-fed the events I'm not interested in.

And with YoutubeTV. I'll just record all the events and FWD through the commercials.

 

[the moops]

• Must have a competitor that directly influences the competition. For example, in bowling the competitor can't influence the other bowler during competition. I do not consider mental pressure because the other guy scored well as a direct influence parameter.
• Must have a non-subjective score. For example, gymnastics is based strictly on subjectivity so it would not count. While football is sometimes subjective (did the ball cross the goal line) by and large it is not strictly subjective.
• Must have an active component. For example, chess would not count. Sitting and moving pieces is not active enough.
• Must not be strictly limited to the individual's genetics with no outside factors (kind of ties to the first bullet). For example, running the 100 m. You will run as fast as you can run and don't really have anything to do with what the other guy runs.

I like this debate. Not sure I agree but good stuff.

With these parameters I think you have to include cycling

 

[culdeus]

I dont think the athletes or sports themselves have gotten worse. There was the one year where the US Gymnastics team was seemingly more interested in being divas than winning, and they unsurprisingly disappointed, but outside of that, I dont know that the sports have changed at all.

I think the athletes have changed even if the sports haven't exactly changes. I think the athletes are in it for themselves now where before it was more about country and pride to represent your country. Many athletes are now more about their image, brand, and future money and it really degrades the purpose of the Olympics to me.

This is especially so in the "marquee" sports like gymnastics, swimming, track, etc. I think it's why I like a lot of the lesser known sports because the athletes are not as "look at me". It's more really about representing your country.

Olympics are one of the few if not only areas where women make more money off competing. But it is still tiny. The number that can parlay Olympics into a career of some sort is a handful, and rarely can they cover their lifetime expenses to that point.

Also feel like recognizable Olympic athletes is in decline. Probably due to letting pros in.