Name your three Olympic events

28 Jul 2012

It seems a lifetime since London won the Olympic bid back in 2005, issues with ticket allocation and more recently security has slightly tarnished the build up, though not for me – this is inspirational stuff and it’s right here in Great Britain. I am right behind Team GB. The opening ceremony last night was really impressive, a true global performance for the UK, hats of to Danny Boyle and all those volunteers.

I understand and appreciate the commitment that those athletes invest to reach their goals; it’s about seriously hard work. I can imagine that the preparation for many athletes must be about as difficult as it gets for a sports person. I can imagine quite isolating too – certainly compared to a sport like football with the support of other players and a fair amount of staff. They must have unbelievable discipline.

I got thinking earlier today – if I had a chance of reaching gold (or just competing) in an Olympic event, what would my top three events be? I’m ignoring football on this occasion as that’s too obvious and also the 100m sprint – who wouldn’t want to be the fastest bloke on the planet!

Hammer throw - I strangely like watching this event and know so little about it. It captures my attention when it’s on, a bit like those strongman competitions on TV, I never set out to watch it but once I do, I can’t stop. The athletes’ technique is phenomenal; they’re spinning on the heel of one foot – that takes some real skill and power. Would I be good at this event? Probably not, but I’m up for a challenge, so with a few pointers I reckon that I could get the hammer shifting!

Boxing - I’ve always had an admiration for boxing and even more so the characters involved, they really make the sport what it is. Having had the chance to train with Ricky Hatton a few years back, it really opened by eyes to just how fit those guys are, a three-minute round is surprisingly difficult. Winning gold in boxing would be a personal reflection of your fitness and skill as a gladiator; let’s not forget the technical side of boxing, it’s as important as fitness and build. I’m routing for fellow Liverpudlian and GB boxing champ Tom Stalker, ranked number one in the world, cannot wait to see him go for gold.

Archery - I’ve tried my hand at archery, well kind of, it was a target 20 foot away at the fair and I failed miserably, but I really liked it. It’s the the stillness and the focus I think, it draws you in the more you try. So, I take my hat off to these guys – firing an arrow over 70 metres and with that accuracy is unreal. I’m sure nerves of steel (and a steady breath) are a fundamental.

Your turn…

Which three events would you want to win, or at least compete in, and why?

Comments

29 comments 20 people listening

Comment help
Get Livefyre

Sort: Newest | Oldest

KH1992 5 pts

1. Diving - Simply because I find it captivating, how do they fit that many somersaults and flips into the short distance/time before hitting the water?!

2. Volleyball - One of my favourite team sports to play, love the use of the principles of fitness such as reaction time, flexibility and power. Also as a trainee PE teacher and lover of team spirit and inclusivity I love the way they all celebrate after each point.

3. Track Cycling - I was torn between rowing and track cycling for this last one, decided to go for track cycling as I love the tactical element to this and the speed at which the cyclists travel at is phenomenal!

share flag

spam
offensive
disagree
off topic

jacquie1960 5 pts

1) All track events. All through school i was a complete athlete and constantly being sought out for running track, netball & hockey teams by the south Dorset's. unfortunately, i was never allowed to join in any after school clubs or travel to any away events due to home life restrictions. It is one of the biggest gripes i have about my youth& upbringing. after 4 years of Me & teachers pleading for parents to allow me to participate i unfortunately gave up. defeated. so did the teachers. things could have been so different for me......

2) Archery because i did it as a teenager. The army used to come & demonstrate and let us practice with Archery & Shooting. he told me, seeing as i hadn't ever done it before, i was a shit hot shot. I wish i had been able to take it up further.

3) Cycling is third choice because as with running you can literally go into another zone whilst cycling anywhere,anyhow.

guffyboy74 5 pts

No 1. would be Judo for me I trained and competed as a youngster and still have a lot of friend who still compete that I go and watch the one v one situation still intrigues me.

No2 the triathlon hats of to these guys the dedication and the fitness levels to be able to perform this event are second to none and great to watch

and at No 3 for me this year it had to be handball a sport I hand never watched before or new anything about but the pace and energy that is generated makes it a great spectator sport

glennuk1 6 pts

I think that some of the more unusual sports are the most fun to be a part of.

Like Joey was saying with the Hammer Throw, its different and has some great technique involved.

I would go for the following;

1. Handball, although it may not get the glory of some of the other sports, i have watched it a bit in the last 2 years, and think that the technique involved is interesting, as is the way they put their bodies on the line to get the job done, diving into the circle (Area?) and trying to get a shot off.

2. As Joey said Boxing. A great sport, for the highly disciplined and those who will keep pushing forward no matter what. Was even more inspired last night by the GREAT performance of Anthony Ogogo who beat the World Champion in the Middleweight division, and must have put himself into medal contention.

Only way i may change number 2 is if MMA ever became an olympic sport, that would be interesting, as i have just started watching that as well, and seen the effort the fighters put in to get into shape.

3. The Pentathlon. It just looks like fun, and i am pretty good at most event, so why not.Plus the addition of fencing could be interesting, something about going back to the old days, of chivalry is kind of appealing. Also i know that these athletes are in PEAK physical condition to manage all of the different events in quick succession.

Joey B Question for you is, which THREE events would you LEAST want to, or be able to compete in?

Joey B 91 pts

Its funny how a lot of people who have commented in this section have chosen cycling, particularly enjoyed Josh87Davis piece, where he had written about the loneliness and intensity required in all the different sports. Think the effects of Wiggins and co in the last few months in the TDF and then the Olympic games, will inspire a nation and a generation.

BasingstokeR 5 pts

Discounting football as too obvious;

1) Table Tennis for me too. Always loved it growing up, my Dad was county standard, and I used to train younger players after school.

2) Hockey - would prefer street hockey or ice hockey, but like hockey too

3) Handball - we played it a tiny bit in PE at school, but watching it in these Olympics looks really interesting sport

Phil platt 5 pts

I've been thinking about this the past few days. 1: Cycling (road) It's popularity at the moment is immense, riding through the streets and countryside of London and surrey cheered on by the home fans must be incredible. 2: handball, I've never watched much of it before this Olympics but what a great fast paced, skilful sport that is. 3: gymnastics, the strength, flexabilty and timing of the rings, horse of the athletes in those events is brilliant. And who wouldn't want to be in the shape that their in.

iaindbrown 5 pts

I think I'd like to be good at swimming cos the atmosphere seems amazing, the 1500m on the track the traditional blue riband event and basketball, cos it's a great team sport.

Jim_Clark_94 8 pts

1. Table Tennis

2. Tennis

3. ...can I pick Football? If not then Handball

Josh87Davis 6 pts

1 - Cycling. The respect i've got for Cavendish, Wiggins & co has increaced so much recently. I know they get plenty of coverage due to the tour de France etc but i just think the levels to which they push themselves and the intensity of the sport is awesome. To cycle as far as they do, as fast as they do and remain as fit as they do is amazing. I really got into road cycling last year after watching loads of it on eurosport/ITV3. They've inspired me... and many more i'm sure!

2 - 3,000m/15,000m Always been facinated by the long distance runner. Quite a lonely sport to train for I imagine. Being out on the road, before anyone else, just running and running. The sight of them finishing that last lap, with nothing left but still having that mental strength to keep going, even to sprint to the finish if needed is one of the best parts of the olympics for me. Was ok at school at the 1500m but never had that mental strength to break that pain barrier, over n over again.

3 - Decathlon. I've always loved this. To be good at so many different areas of athletics must be hard! You've got one maybe two events that you're really good at but then you still have to be able to compete in the other 8 or 9 events. Not old enough to remember Daley Thomspon but would be amazing to win a gold and be the best at 10 different events!

These 3 are all things i've had a go at. The cycling was the most physicaly and emotionally draining of them all. I'm never gonna be a world beater but... that inspiration that this Olympics is all about keeps me going.

NigelSparks 6 pts

Josh87Davis Great comments Josh. When you commented about the long dsitance running and the loneliness, this sprung to mind - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXMS5ZXKvYA

One of my favourite films for sure. If you haven't seen it, I high recommend it :)

femalegooner 10 pts

I like the idea of sports which are derived from skills that humans would have needed historically for survival, so I would go for archery as well, canoeing/kayaking and javelin. And, who knows, if I'm around when our civilisation collapses, they might come in handy!

Hmm, this has got me thinking!!

I have decided that the three events I would love to compete in are as follows....

1. Table Tennis - a game which I loved growing up, and played well into my teens, but then just seemed to stop playing. It's such a fantastic game to play. Writing this, I'm already thinking about booking a table and dragging one of my mates down for a game. It's a shame that as we get older, some of us (not all!) stop playing and participating in sports/games that we love so much. I still play football in the local leagues, run, swim etc but there are so many other sports I love, but hardly play these days.

Watching sport always inspires me to do sport - be it go for a run or smash out some press ups. The Olympics is rekindling my passion for some of these sports that I've stopped playing..

2. Badminton - for all the same reasons as table tennis!!!! Book a court, get your mates involved - do it!

3. Triathlon - This has always intrigued me, since I am enjoy running, cycling and swimming. I would say I'm average at all of these (probably a better cyclist than the other two...just!) so putting them all together would be a great challenge. Right, enough of the talk - by the time the next Olympics comes round I'll be 38, and I want to have completed a triathlon!!

Enjoy the Olympics everyone, I know I'm gonna be in the running for a gold medal this year - for the most hours watched!! :P

NigelSparks Table tennis is right up my street as well mate, I am decent to be fair, easy game to pick up, played a bit in the Summer in Morocco. Good luck with the triathlon mate, your a braver man than me

badwolf 7 pts

FENCING - It's something that's always fascinated me, it's the quickness and skill, that these competiters have

Trampoline - Loved it at school, wasn't any good at it mind you, i could bounce up and down and get some height, but bouncing and turning i was like an octopus on jelly sprinks, legs and arms all over the place.

And one which has featured in past games, javelin, another sport i used to like at school, didn't do too bad

thesamball 7 pts

I'd choose: 1. Swimming - I enjoy swimming and swim regularly, I wish I was talented enough to swim at that level and if I could I would. 2. Cycling - The races last for hours so I can't begin to describe my respect for the athletes who compete, it must require an unbelievable amount of fitness and determination. 3. Football - I love the game and wish I was talented, to play for my country in football I think would be the highest honour possible.

thesamball The thing with swimming is the amount of sacrifice, I really admire them, their diets are ridiculous and I think I would find it monotonous after a bit, hats off to the guys who do it at the top level though. Massive sacrifices. I agree with you on football, I would of loved to of played in the Olympics! Maybe the next one ay!

@Joey B agree 100% about the swimming, that's why I respect them so much. And I look forward to watching you in Rio then haha good luck!

pearsondan87 5 pts

@thesamball Joey in rio.. Right up there with one night in Paris staring Paris Hilton lol.. Sorry I have a very childish sense of humour lol. Dan.

grumpilyoldman 6 pts

I'm from (n) Ireland, Or the "Occupied 6 counties", so my three would be 1. Running - always came in handy to get away from the R.U.C 2. Javelin - akin to hurling petrol bombs and other projectiles 3. Shooting - mmh.

rana_banana 5 pts

Taekwondo as I got my black belt 1st dan at 15 years of age. Also watching it next Friday. Artistics gymnastics. The strength those guys and girls have is insane! And lastly, 4x100m relay! I was the 2nd relay at school. Ahhh absolutely LOVE the Olympics! Go London2012! Go Team GB!

joewalshrocks 5 pts

Assuming I had the talent for any of them I'd like to compete in the swimming, because I can't swim that well and it looks so graceful when I watch it that I'd love to be able to swim like that, the javelin because I threw it in a schools championships once and the hockey because I was really good at it at school.

NUFC4 7 pts

Strangely Table tennis, so much skill and technique required and I always play it with a huge grin on my face.

BonjourMonAmiNE 11 pts

Handball, Beach Volleyball and Table Tennis. I've played all three and they're really enjoyable sports!

howesypunk 5 pts

I'd say beach volleyball, table tennis and some kind of cycling. But my fitness is nothing like it would need to be!

Mattyj171717 5 pts

I'd have to go for Handball,Boxing and the 200 M!

Dan B 7 pts moderator

I'd go Triathlon - 3 events in one - maybe the hardest of all and I reckon the most respected?

chaz197 5 pts

I like watching the beach volleyball aswell as the swimming, but i would like to be involved in the basketball.

chaz197 I am a basketball fan myself, unbelievable athletes those fellas

Joey Barton

Joey On Sport

Name your three Olympic events

Your turn…

Comments

Posted in: