I get it – I do.
Sometime, okay, OFTEN times, I know I border on the absurd.
I know sometimes I get a little too fantastical.
But not this time.
This time I’m on to something.
And before I talk about what I want to talk about, I did a quick Google Search so I could make sure it could be done – and I came up with this:
Yes, the Olympics limit the number of sports that are included in each Games, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the host country have some flexibility in deciding which sports to include:
- Number of sports
The IOC limits the number of sports by only allowing new sports to be added when others are discontinued.
- Host country
The host country can request to add sports to the Games, and since 2020, they have been able to play a role in deciding which sports are included.
- Organizing committee
The organizing committee for each Games can propose additional sports to the IOC for inclusion in that Games only. For example, the 2020 Tokyo organizing committee added five new sports to the Summer Olympics: surfing, karate, sports climbing, skateboarding, and baseball/softball.
- Eligibility
Sports must meet certain criteria to be eligible for inclusion in the Olympics, including complying with the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code.
Some sports have been removed from the Olympics over the years, including tug of war, croquet, jeu de paume, basque pelota, polo, roque, rackets, motor boating, lacrosse, and cricket.
So – with that being said, I have an idea.
Ok, maybe it’s a thought more than an idea.
We all saw the last Olympics in Paris.
I know I did. I watched quite a bit. Not as much as I would have liked, I got bit busy and I had things to do.
I was very entertained, and I enjoyed what I watched.
One thing we can all agree on – Break Dancing was a colossal failure.
Now, who could have predicted that?
OH WAIT – I COULD HAVE – in fact – I DID !!!!
It was such a failure that one might think it was a Trump brand.
*Side Note 1 – See what I did there?
It has already been decided that Break Dancing will not be in The Olympics in 2028.
The Olympics in 2028 are in Los Angeles and in a way, it’s sad that Break Dancing won’t be part of it. The Hip-Hop and dancing culture is big in LA, but it was not meant to be.
Thus – it seems there is an opening for a sport.
I know I have kicked around several ideas for things that could be Olympic competitions. Many such ideas have been a little far-fetched.
But then again, we did just watch Break Dancing in The Olympics, so can anything be really that far fetched?
I do believe I have it.
You ready?
Dodge Ball.
Yes – Dodge Ball as an Olympic Sport.
Aw come one now – you know you’d watch it.
And the ratings ….
The ratings would be huge.
Most of you reading this probably saw the movie “Dodge Ball”.
In it there was an actual tournament and in that tournament there were teams from not just the USA, but actual international teams.
Yes, I know, it was a movie.
And not just a movie, but a comedy and a satire of the game.
But – who’s to say ……
Let’s break Dodge Ball down.
It’s a competition that has a clearly defined winner and loser.
It’s not “judged”.
*Side Note 2 – We all know how I feel about judged sports.
There are already established rules and regulations and there could also be rules that are introduced.
And to go along with rules, there are also referees that enforce these rules during game play.
There could be a men’s division, and women’s division and why not a mixed division with a team of 6 that is 3 men and 3 women.
Dodge Ball itself is entertaining, but it could also get very real.
Could you imagine a Dodge Ball game between Ukraine and Russia?
Holy Cow – and WOW.
In such a contest, sportsmanship be damned – this would be an epic battle.
And even if the two opponents were friendly countries, you know the leaders of these countries would be talking smack and maybe even doing a bit of wagering.
And think about the new rules that could be put in
- Barefoot only and in a tie breaker, Lego Blocks are thrown onto the course
- If a player can go blindfolded and not get hit for 10 seconds, that team gets a player back
- In a tie breaker scenario, players have one hand tied behind their back
And those are just a few ideas.
This is a Win-Win for everyone – but especially us, the viewing audience. I know I’d watch it.
Make no mistake – Dodge Ball is a game and all – but it’s a quality competition that many of us enjoyed playing.
And it’s an actual competition that many of us still play as adults when the opportunity arises.
I coached at a Christian High School for 11 years, and the State Meet was always on a Saturday. And for the last 6 or 7 years I coached, that last Friday was always the season ending Dodge-Ball game. I think some kids might have only run Cross Country because they wanted to play Dodge Ball at the end of the season. We opened it up to other kids, but the entire team took part and had a great time (minus an accidental head shot or two). The competition was intense – but just as intense, was the fun of it.
The city of Los Angeles can get on board the Dodge-Ball train and work to have it added because Break Dancing has been eliminated.
Now I know there will be some push back. See, while Break Dancing has been eliminated, Squash is going to be added for the 1st time ever.
Aw Come On Man …..
Squash?
Really?
We already have Tennis, Ping-Pong and Badminton as Olympic Sports.
Do we need to really have squash added?
Maybe I’ll print some t-shirts “Say No To Squash” – but jeez, then the Vegans will send out a hit man ….
No – let’s stand in unison and Make Dodge Ball in The Olympics a reality.
Let’s bring this country together.
I volunteer myself to be United States Dodge Ball Association Commissioner.
LET’S DO THIS !!!
Who’s with me?
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