Terrible. There are simply too many bogus sports like snowboarding and 32 types of bobsledding/luge. I'm not against snowboarding, and you could convince me that a slalom race is ok. But the "half-pipe" is nothing more than punk skateboarding on ice. Tatoos and body piercing included.

And another thing! Since when is it OK to let the "pros" play these games? We'll NEVER again feel the magic that was the 1980 US Hockey Team. Today it's just an NHL allstar game. Same thing for basketball in the summer games. So what if the US wins. It's a joke and an embarrassment.

I agree, there is no way that snowboarding is an olympic sport. its no wonder that the US wins the gold, silver, and bronze medals in a single event because the rest of the world could care less about that crap and is busy paying attention to the real events. as for letting the pros play, well I dont think that it is really all that different than China having speedskaters with elf like upper bodies and (steroid built)legs that would have made a tyrannosaurus rex jealous and who do nothing but train for the olympics for 4 years, then after they are over are put into a box and put away.

I for one (not being a FOG) loved the snowboarding. Why not have it. Just because it didn't exist in "your day" doesn't mean it isn't a sport. Snowboarding is a lot more of an athletic competition then lugeing (did I spell that right?) or curling. Am I supposed to believe that the olympics is just about traditional sports? If that is the case there wouldn't be a winter olypics as all because traditionally there wasn't one in Greece where the Olympics started!

As far as pros playing...Way back when in ancient Greece the olympics were about the BEST atheletes coming together and competing. Not about the best ametures...the BEST period. So now you are saying that if the best do it for a living they shouldn't be in the olypics? That seems a little illogical to me.

Please note that I do know how to spell Olympics. My fingers just can't keep up with my thought process.

I am pretty much a baseball fan who will view other sports with some interest but not the passion that I have for Baseball, and I was pretty damn proud to see the three Americans win the half pipe! It is as much or more of a sport as curling and synch swimming! Go USA.........win em all! Charlie

I totally agree just because you dont get it and you think skaters are punks doesnt mean it isnt a sport, and important to the americans, we invented the sport and it rocks besides. Lets look at some real exiting olympic events, biathalon, figure skating???? Which would you rather watch.

i for one would not shed a tear if figure skating was given the he-ho from the olympics...on the other hand, the powers to be need more events with piercings, tattoos and some danger (ie. the skeleton)to liven things up a bit.

How about a new event, where they strap a single blade to your behind and you have to make a run down the bobsled run, now there's excitement.

First, the Pro thing: You don't have to go back all that long ago when the olympics was an "amateur" sporting event. No pros. And it was exciting, engaging, and patriotic. Now, it's just the spoiled millionaire brats getting their name and face plastered yet again on the front pages. The Olympics is all about PRIDE. Did you feel the same sense of Pride when the US Basketball Dream team swept the competition as you did when the group of collegiates beat the Russians in 1980? THAT was exciting. Todays games may showcase the "better" athletes, but at what cost? So what if China harvests freaks of nature? That's just one more reason that we're better than they are. What are the Olympics for anyway? If not for entertainment, then what? And what keeps you better entertained? I vote for rules that gave us the memory of 1980.

Now for the World Wide X Games: I'm not saying that snowboarding isn't fun to do or watch. Just that it's not an Olympic Competition, at least not the half-pipe. I happen to like to play whiffle ball, but that doesn't mean it should be included in the 2004 Summer games. We've diluted the games to the point where there are so many nonsense "sports" that the real competition gets lost in the crowd. Look at the new bastardized gymnastic/dancing with sticks thingy that takes place. What the hell is that? Just because somebody does something that more than three other people enjoy doesn't qualify it for the olympics. I'm still waiting for a Cigar Smoke Ring competion, and perhaps Booger Flicking for distance. Both of which I could medal in...

Fair enough Tailgater. But then tell me what DOES make a sport or competition qualify as Olympic material?

We can bat this around forever, but I do not care to see Olympics turned into professional events either! The "Dream Team" was a joke and should never have happened. It is like anything else to do, follow the money trail and you will get to the reason that something is an Olympic event! Charlie

So the Olympics should be athletes that are good, but not good enough to do it for a living? Or in other words the worst of the best? I could be wrong but I would hazard a guess that most of the people competing in the Olympics get paid to do their respective sport outside of the Olympics. Most figure skaters for instance are in many other competitions other then the Olympics and get paid when they win. So we should disqualify them also?

You're ignorring the point and substance here. I don't suggest that we dilute the talent. I only ask that we regain the excitement and drama. My argument is focused on the hockey and basketball teams. Each has an 80 game season at the professional level. We see plenty of the brand-names every year. Gynastics and skating are different. Put it this way: The US hockey team is comprised of NHL stars, yet is not favored to win gold. If they should buck the odds and take center stage at the medal ceremony, would you feel the pride displayed 22 years ago? I think not. And why should we prevent our children from witnessing such a dramatic moment? It's a farce and a "win at all cost" mentality. the PRIDE is gone.

Booger Flicking for distance? Tailgater would this be finger rolled boogers or la naturale'? Extra points for a nice trailer hangin' on? Booger pickin' on the on the other hand is true art,it takes a pro to get the whole booger and complete trailer in tact.

i'm not much of a devote of the olympics, but i watch to keep toby company. why don't the announcers shut up! i watched some skiing and the announcer was yelling about everything. if i hear ****** button one more time... i missed the pair skating that has everyone going nuts. this bs has been going on as far back as i can remember. but when sam clemons threw the first single axle, i still get shudders thinking about it.

I will feel pride if the US Hockey team wins. 22 years ago I was only 9 so I can't relate. Yes we see lots of the hockey players during the year. But you see plenty televised events of figure skaters and gymnists other then the Olympics as well. My wife is always watching that stuff. I guess we just won't agree on this one. Maybe you should watch the womens' hockey tailgater. They have a bunch of no names on their team.

Don't get me wrong. I too would be happy if the US wins gold in ANY event. It's just different, and it doesn't have to be. As for womens hockey, can't get into it. Chicks with sticks. Now, if we could have coed naked booger flicking. Now THAT'S exciting!

Co-ed naked? No. Ladies naked? Flick away!