In the Ancient Olympic games (link dead), there were 8 events: Running, Jumping (with weights), Discus, Javelin, Wrestling, Boxing, Pankration, and Equestrian events.

The Modern Olympic games (link dead) in 1896 featured 9 events: Track and Field, Marathon, Swimming, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Shooting, Lawn Tennis, Wrestling and Weightlifting.

In Athens there are now 27 different “disciplines” for medals. I wonder if we Westerners at some points get bored with the status quo list and throw another sport in there where we can field a dream team. I guess that didn’t work for basketball this year, did it?

Events like Swimming, Track, Throwing, and Weightlifting have single measurements of performance that stand the test of time as World or Olympic Records. Some of the other “sports”, though, depend on human interpretations of events, or even worse, depend on human interactions with competitors, or competing teams. Those kind of events are “second class” events. How do you know whether you’re the best 400m swimmer of all time? Beat 4:08.26, the time posted by Micheal Phelps on Saturday. How do you know whether you’re the best Beach Volleyball team of all time? Get to 21 points? :) Don’t get me started on gymnastics.

Why is Soccer (Footballs are NOT SPHERICAL! :) ) an Olympic Sport, when nations already compete in the World Cup? I understand that we don’t have world basketball or baseball leagues, but Soccer?

Why do we expect to win Olympic basketball games with NBA players who haven’t dealt with referees who enforce traveling? We should have just sent the 2004 NCAA Champs.