Bring Cyclocross to the Olympics!

Today's online New York Times features an article titled "Too Many Olympic Events, or Not Enough?" A number of Olympic experts weigh in on the proliferation of events at the Winter Games. One describes how events are selected:Currently, the I.O.C. decides on any change in the program based on seven categories: history and tradition, universality, popularity, image, athletes’ health, costs, and development of the International Federation that governs the sport.Let's think about cross in those terms:History and Tradition: maybe not as much as, say, cross-country skiinng, but far more than, say, half-pipeUniversality and Popularity: growing rapidlyImage: Perfect for the Olympics -- a blend of edge and wholesome healthiness. Looks great on TV too, with mud flying and riders gunning for the hole shot.Athlete's Health: Cross racers are anaerobic freaks. (BTW, anyone notice the guts on some of those bobsled pilots?)Costs: minimal. A parks & rec department could put on a great...

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I've been watching the Olympics pretty steadily. I even watch the commercials because many of them are funny or touching (I'm a sap) and because I like the idea of supporting the sponsors who support the Olympics.But right now I've paused the telecast, and I'm going to bust my way through a 300x fast forward as soon as enough time elapses, because ice dancing is on and I'm embarrassed. I'm alone, but I'm embarrassed.The arguments for and against have been volleyed for so long they're cliches. I'll avoid those and just write that when I paused I was watching the SECOND pair of the night wearing outfits straight out of the Dukes of Hazzard (the TV show, not the movie) -- and THEY ACTUALLY LOOK NORMAL COMPARED TO THE OTHERS. I literally couldn't watch any longer. I understand the Americans are unusually strong this year, and that sparks my interest about this much: [ ].Meanwhile, as many of you have posted, cross is not just spectator friendly, it's really easy to put on. Here they're...

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