In life, there is often a difference between what IS and what SHOULD be. When I was in college, the team practices and games gave me enough training, skills, competition and I was recommended for a job on campus, for which I got paid for 4 hours and it took me only 1 hour to finish. 2 players on the team played in the Olympics and made big money playing professionally. I went to a pro tryout. I just was not quite good enough. I had plenty of opportunities. This was the early 1960's. I played on a military base team for a few years and could have leveraged that into an Olympic tryout. But, again I was not quite good enough. The opportunities were there the talent was not. My parents were just middle class. Money never held me back. Of course, today colleges are much more expensive and society has less equality - so that probably makes for a completely different environment.

That's the way I feel.

I would imagine the ratings on this year's Olympics will not be very impressive. People are tired of athletes using their sports persona to make a stance. If you can't stand for the pledge at the Olympics, or partake in the national anthem, then some have no place in the Olympics. The Olympics is about representing your country, in this case I am referring to the USA. Done with professional sports in general!

The Olympics have always been political. As an American, I support our athletes. Just because you disagree on one athlete’s actions, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t support the others. Here is an article on the Olympics and politics.
The Olympics Have Always Been Political - The Atlantic

Alway like watch badminton, table tennis. Weight lifting 🏋️*♀️.

You’re got to be kidding. World ran by young folks! Every county has OLD folks in charge. Especially this country.

The parade of nations was fun. Sure are a lot of athletes representing the USA!!! 613. Here’s Which U.S. States Sent The Most Athletes To The Tokyo Olympics

Gotta check out surfing. Also the Golf Channel for 4 days of stroke play.

now that people are insulting my country and flag, my interest is zero. I won't watch even one minute of it.

.
.
A bit off-topic, but I'm the OP so... A bit relative to the topic - ie - some not respecting the USA anthem or flag. I read this on MANY sources -check if you want- and had to sigh... yet another example of creating and fostering DIVISION in our country... sad.

NFL To Play Black National Anthem As Part Of It’s Initiative To Battle Systematic Racism

The NFL will continue its initiative and commitment towards battling systematic racism. The league initiated a 10-year, $250 million commitment to combat systemic racism via the signage, helmet decals and in-stadium Public Service Announcements in June 2020. As part of its initiative, it will play “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at all NFL pregame ceremonies, starting with the September 9 season opener.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been widely recognized as the black national anthem. The song will be played in addition to “The Star-Spangled Banner” before every game in the 2021 season. It will also be played during high-profile events such as opening day on September 9, all playoff games including the Super Bowl and the league’s college draft.
.
.

Not if the athletes from the U S A kneel when the flag is presented

and now near Japan>>>>

Typhoon could impact Tokyo Games

Tokyo Games officials are confident about rescheduling Olympic events should a typhoon hit the Japanese capital next week.

Forecasters have warned there is a "medium chance" for "potential tropical development" and believe the storm may hit Tokyo itself.

Games organisers have already moved rowing events due to be held on Monday, adding them into the schedule for Saturday and Sunday, because of the weather forecast.

"You have to have a very close look at the schedule. See when you can resume competition that can be affected or not," said Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi.
.
.

I agree with LookingforNextWife. Although I have no interest in The Olympics, there are sports from my hometown team that I have enjoyed watching and following for decades.

The majority of athletes have not insulted the country. Most do not participate in these protests.

I'm not going to allow these few individuals to take away something that I enjoy and look forward to.

My feeling is that if I stop watching, they win.

Are You Interested in the 2020 Olympics?
 

I'm probably going to get more enjoyment from watching the 4th season of "Black Sails". This is the final season. Someone on TOTV suggested it a few months ago and it's terrific. It's based on Robert Louis Stevenson's book "Treasure Island". Lots of special effects on the high seas, storms, sword fighting, pirates who have taken over the island of Nassau, and the introduction of famous pirates Long John Silver and Black Beard.

.
.
I DVRd some of the Olympics. FastForwarded thru much of it - esp the soccer etc.

However my attention was caught by one sport in particular.. Two words...

Beach Volleyball.

Now that's a sport to behold...
.
.

I'm watching as many events as possible. I am also very proud of our true American patriots, who have the courage to peacefully protest, in front of the whole world, inequality, prejudice and racism - by simply kneeling. All in spite of the criticism by those who don't understand, or refuse to accept, the deep racial problems we still have here in the US of A. At least in Tokyo, they don't have to worry about being assaulted with tear gas, batons, dogs or rubber bullets.

No interest at all

The Olympics has 3 on 3 half-court basketball. What's next, marbles, capture the flag, or tag?

No, don’t want to see protest stuff.

For those who did not see one of the best Olympic opening ceremonies, in China of 2008, 2,008 musicians played the fou, an ancient Chinese percussion instrument, in perfect synchronicity. Legend has it, due to the complexity of the details, the musicians could not get it perfect for any of the rehearsals. Opening night, it was a total successful blow-out. the clip is 3.36 minutes if you have not seen it, you will not regret it. Jack up the volume on your speakers. Let me know what you think, thank you. Link is below

The sound of 2008 people drumming to the same beat | Opening Ceremony Beijing 2008 - YouTube

Because there is a 13 hour time difference, much of the Prime Time showing are more live than many former Olympics. As far as thinking they are too Political, that is completely in your own mind and BS hype being tossed about.

I'm older and I'm fine with people who have the opportunity to express themselves peacefully to show their disapproval with a specific aspect of life, doing so.

If that means taking a knee, or refusing to put your hand over your heart, or not singing when everyone else sings, or NOT kneeling when everyone else does, I'm good with it.

As long as they're doing it peacefully, and not interfering with anyone else's right to express themselves. If someone tried pulling the flag down, then I'd have a problem with it. If someone tried putting their hand over someone else's mouth to prevent them from singing, I'd have a problem with it. If someone switched out the music and played something other than the anthem, or turned the speakers off, I'd have a problem with it.

But kneeling? Not a problem. That's what makes America great. That people died for our RIGHT to do these things. If you have a problem with our right to express ourselves peacefully, then move to a country where you're not allowed to do that.

Google "Brazil Women's Beach Volleyball"...

You're welcome!

Hmm, nope, not interested in Olympics at all. It is way too commercialized for me. Actual amateur competition might be interesting.

Yes because I always watch the Olympics and also it is nice to have something to watch on t.v. for a change.

Very well said, as usual.

Plus 1!!

Thoroughly enjoying the Olympics. Was very happy the American women's soccer team won. Fun to see the first 2 USA medals.

The men's street skateboarding was very interesting and Tony Hawk showed up to give his take.

Not sure what happened with the women's street skateboarding. Introducing The Official USA Skateboarding Women’s Street Team - YouTube

Women’s basketball and soccer hates our country. A pox on them all. Say no to watching

The women's synchronized diving was fun to watch. The team from China won which was expected. China's Wang Han, Shi Tingmao win gold in synchronized 3m springboard | Tokyo Olympics | NBC Sports - YouTube

Tokyo Olympics opening draws 16.7 mln U.S. TV viewers, a 33-year low.

There are a huge number of options now for what you can watch and where.

Japan'''s Momiji Nishiya, 13, leads teenage sweep of women'''s skateboarding podium | CBC Sports

Three teens-- 13, 16, and 13-- take the first three medals awarded at a Olympics for women's street skateboarding. Two of these competitors are Japanese, the other Brazilian.

I love the sports, but I cannot stand the incessant babble of the 'talking heads!'
More Yap Yap than action.
UK won a silver at taekwondo, and they interviewed his whole family.
Thank God he never won gold, they would have had all the neighbors in as well!

No. It was bad enough when it was mostly track and field and swimming, but now that it includes things like BMX biking, skateboarding, Tai Kwon Do (whatever that is), weightlifting and volleyball, just to mention a few boring spectator sports, I'm out. Plus, who decided to include team sports in the Olympics. Just dumb.

:clap2::icon_wink:

will it matter to you that there is no audience? no snark, just curious

.
.

Agree re some sports now in Olympics. And for the life of me I cannot understand how "PRO players" are included, esp in teams - such as NBA players. Perhaps other nations "cheat etc", but still.

I have DVRd everything on all NBC channels - I can then select the ones I want to see, fastforward thru, or completely delete. I did enjoy the Triathalon. I Ffwd thru softball, until I see runs scored, then backtrack and watch - same in soccer. As for the Talking Heads et al - all the pre-production stuff from NBC would be a total bore, I've seen the stories in previous Olympics...yawn. Nope.

And now the news that Japan/Tokyo may get hit with a tropical storm... yikes. What else...Locusts or earthquake or...
.
.

Traditionally composed of amateur players, the U.S. dominated the first decades of in
 

[QUOTE=DeanFL;1978600].
.

Agree re some sports now in Olympics. And for the life of me I cannot understand how "PRO players" are included, esp in teams - such as NBA players. Perhaps other nations "cheat etc", but still.

I have DVRd everything on all NBC channels - I can then select the ones I want to see, fastforward thru, or completely delete. I did enjoy the Triathalon. I Ffwd thru softball, until I see runs scored, then backtrack and watch - same in soccer. As for the Talking Heads et al - all the pre-production stuff from NBC would be a total bore, I've seen the stories in previous Olympics...yawn. Nope.

And now the news that Japan/Tokyo may get hit with a tropical storm... yikes. What else...Locusts or earthquake or...
. Traditionally composed of amateur players, the U.S. dominated the first decades of international basketball, winning a record seven consecutive Olympic gold medals. However, by the end of the 1980s, American amateurs were no longer competitive against seasoned professionals from the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.[3][4][5]

In 1989, FIBA modified its rules and allowed USA Basketball to field teams with National Basketball Association players. The first such team, known as the "Dream Team", won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, being superior in all matches.[6][7] With the introduction of NBA players, the team was able to spark a second run of dominance in the 1990s.