NY Times Article: Olympic Events Feb 24. 2010 | Comments (0)
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-pipe
Universality and Popularity: growing rapidly
Image: 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 cross race. No multi-million dollar complexes to be trucked in, no snow to be made or flown in.
Development of the International Federation that governs the sport: Um...I need to find out what that means. I think we need to get the IOC on our side.
Sounds like we have the perfect event for the IOC's criteria.