I generally see the Olympics as a mishmash of sports most regular people can only stand to watch once every four years. I even question the criteria proposed earlier that it has to be popular. Like how many people honestly do or watch speed walking? More likely perhaps there is some greasing of palms by some of these sports associations to get in there. (How is something like Ballroom Dancing even considered?)
It's the judged events that get me. Sure they are popular and very physically demanding, so I get it. But imagine if your soccer goal was worth 1.2 points because it was particularly pretty, or if you were deducted half a second because you weren't smiling as you crossed that finish line.
