One way to show your strength and bulging muscles is a good ol' game of tug-of-war, right? What if you place it on a world-wide platform for competition -- you got yourself a [insert adjective here] game! In the 2012 Summer Olympics, there's not any particular event that stands out to me as nonsense. However, there's a few on the top of my mind, that if added, would be absolutely ridiculous.

With the Olympics in progress and the more popular summer events like swimming, track and field and gymnastics getting the most attention; this wasn't always the case. Back in the day, events were in place that may make us question if they didn't have enough sports in the Olympic games or if they were just overly-excited to compete in just about anything. Hence, tug-of-war. Really?

A few past Olympic entries included: golf, baseball, croquet, water skiing and power boating. Alright. Not so strange, except for the video below of the power boating extravaganza.

Nonetheless, the Olympic games should be an opportunity for the world's best athletes to come together in unity, yet in competition. All to demonstrate their physical abilities, endurance and strength in sports and magnify these characteristics. I had my days of tug-of-war on the sidelines at high school football games against the opposing cheerleading squads. I do not categorize myself as much of an Olympian. Ask those who walk the halls at ESPN El Paso, I'm over 330 months old and I'm still trying to learn how to walk.

So while the medals add up, the athletes reach for their personal records or break world records -- I'm a fan of the Winter and Summer Olympic games. At times, trying to keep up with all the events can seem a little overwhelming, but it's a good thing most events are not so much a waste of time, but pretty legit.

So how does a sport become a part of the Olympics, you may ask? The Olympics are governed by the International Olympic Committee, of which go through a grueling and tedious process whether to add or remove an event to the games. It must have world-wide recognition, governed by an independent federation and an Olympic Charter which defines structure and core values. Sounds well thought out. What I'd do to go back and listen in on the topic of tug-of-war and it's initiation into the games!

On Sports Spin, Andy Lee and myself briefly touched up on some events that would be ridiculous.

Here's a few I'd hate to see in the future:

Quidditch: Introduced in the Harry Potter books by J.K Rowling. I wouldn't take this one too lightly, as many Ivy League and well established universities already have formed their Quidditch teams. So if it does end up in the games in the next decade - I would be disappointed, but not surprised. In fact, there was a Quidditch World Cup that consisted of 96 teams including different countries. From athletes to wizards -- where did we lose the true definition of sport? My argument: If you truly dont' have the athletic ability to fly on a broom then quit downscaling the wizardly pastime.

Jump Rope: Need I say more?

Beer Pong: Unfortunately there's a plethora of college kids that truly believe they have a gift, a talent and a potential to be the best at making a ping pong ball into a staggered arrangements of red Solo cups. What would the warm-up be? I digress.

Tag: Wait, this could be a good idea. Scratch that.

Kick Ball: I've seen professional football players engage in what would be a simple and fun kick ball game for a charity event, right? Nope. It turned unnecessarily competitive -- but mostly extremely uncomfortable to watch and awkward.

Now it's your time to chime! What would you like to see the IOC add or remove?

 

 

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