Kelly

Unless you've been comatose, you know the Olympics is on. And, while I know that these athletes have devoted many hours to their sport, I just think there are some sports that shouldn't be considered for the Olympics; if we say the Olympics is the ultimate prize. There are 27 sports for the summer Olympics; eight in the winter version.

Citius, Altius, Fortius which means faster, higher, stronger is the motto of the Olympics. Okay, I admit the games are coming from the Greek days of very ancient times. But, I still feel that the sports should reflect these qualities in what you have to do to win. So, sports like weightlifting and wrestling (Greco-Roman wrestling, not that Hulk Hogan stuff) fit the bill. Athletics? Goes without saying. In fact, the events in this category epitomise the Olympics. Cycling and judo (a form of karate similar to wrestling) are other examples of what the games should be about. Competitors testing each other (in some cases, face to face) to win the ultimate prize.

No Olympic aura

But, there are some sports that just don't have that Olympic aura attached to them. While swimming comes under the broader category of aquatics, not all of the watery stuff should be there, I think. For example, diving. Synchronised swimming is pretty to watch but Olympic sport? I'm not sure. Water polo, though, has its place because you're battling not just the water, but the other team in the pool.

Other sports, such as fencing (basically sword fighting with really thin blades), are somewhat entertaining but Olympic sport? Not sure, but at least the competitors face off against each other. There are some sports that I have not yet taken a side on. Shooting and archery require good hand-eye coordination but are they about faster, higher and stronger? I marvel at gymnasts; the women for their agility and grace and the men for their incredible strength. But trampolining, which was introduced in 2000, is lame. Why is doing pupalicks on a bouncy net an Olympic sport? It's fun sure, but not something to give out gold medals for.

Skill, strategy and strength

Now I concede that every sport, whether it's played on a court, field or with a board and dice, requires some level of skill, strategy and strength (at least mental strength, which will probably, get you further than physical strength sometimes).

My question, though, is what next will be included in the Olympics? Chess? Backgammon? 20/20 cricket like former Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist wants to see? Where will it end? Well, if they make, let's say, eating banana chips an Olympic sport, sign me up! Mi must get even bronze!

Meet me at the finish line at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.

Russia's Natalia Paderina (left) and Georgia's Nino Salukvadze embrace during the medal ceremony after the women's 10-metre air pistol final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in China, on Sunday, August 10. - Contributed