Tokyo Olympics 2021

[Rockin’Irish]

A lot of "wokeness" and political statements and protests have turned countless viewers away too. I've seen some threads on other forums and on FB about it and know a LOT of people who just don't have any interest in watching soccer players kneel or other athletes with their woke shirts and behavior. TV viewership is down about 35% over the last Olympics, and that's a significant factor in why. A major reason we watch sports is to escape from the daily conflict and political ranting from both sides. That's why the Olympics had rules about NO political/causes stuff.

I would agree, sports are entertainment and an escape for me personally…..if I wanted political or social ideology, I would turn to a venue other than amateur or professional sports. I guess that gives us all the freedom to either turn it on or turn it off just like any other television show. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see the continued financial impact one way or the other here in the USA.

 

[Bishop2b5]

The most recent Euro final had the highest viewership ever, and they kneeled before each game. Curious which data is showing that social/political causes are affecting the viewership.

European viewers of European sports will have a very different dynamic than US viewers watching the Olympics. The Olympics has long had a ban on protests, political activism, political statements, wearing clothing or displaying banners/signs that were for or against particular causes, and etc. because it causes strife and conflict. The Olympics are supposed to be about athletic competition, not a platform to protest for or against any cause or political angle. I don't want anyone there doing any of that even if they're 100% supporting a cause or political stance I agree with. It's the wrong place and wrong time.

 

[TorontoGold]

European viewers of European sports will have a very different dynamic than US viewers watching the Olympics. The Olympics has long had a ban on protests, political activism, political statements, wearing clothing or displaying banners/signs that were for or against particular causes, and etc. because it causes strife and conflict. The Olympics are supposed to be about athletic competition, not a platform to protest for or against any cause or political angle. I don't want anyone there doing any of that even if they're 100% supporting a cause or political stance I agree with. It's the wrong place and wrong time.

No, my point was about US viewership - read the article below. Again, I'm curious on the data that can show a correlation between social/political causes and a reduction of viewership. Otherwise it's just one person's feelings and emotions vs the other.

https://deadline.com/2021/07/euro-2020-final-ratings-italy-england-espn-1234792063/

 

[Bishop2b5]

No, my point was about US viewership - read the article below. Again, I'm curious on the data that can show a correlation between social/political causes and a reduction of viewership. Otherwise it's just one person's feelings and emotions vs the other.

https://deadline.com/2021/07/euro-20...pn-1234792063/

Why would US viewers care about European players kneeling? The thing so many in the US are bothered and offended by is American players kneeling in protest against their own nation. We find it highly disrespectful to those who've given their lives to defend it. We find it interesting that so many here who do it and are so outspoken against anything and everything in the US and so outspoken about how wonderful some of the People's Utopian Republics are NEVER actually leave the big bad US and move to the PUR. Interesting, huh?

As for viewership of the Olympics being down, there are several sources reporting the numbers are down 35%. As to why, that's speculation at this point, but my own personal reason for not watching is the protest/wokeness factor, and I've seen several comments on articles, on FB, and heard comments from friends and family that they're put off and not watching for the same reason. We want sports, not political commentary when we watch the Olympics. Again, in the past, this was why the IOC banned any such BS.

 

[Blazers46]

No, my point was about US viewership - read the article below. Again, I'm curious on the data that can show a correlation between social/political causes and a reduction of viewership. Otherwise it's just one person's feelings and emotions vs the other.

https://deadline.com/2021/07/euro-2020-final-ratings-italy-england-espn-1234792063/

Ratings down.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.la...for-nbc-its-about-relative-strength?_amp=true

 

[Blazers46]

In regard to ratings I think you have to compare storylines and athletes. Phelps, Bolt... I could name most women’s gymnastics participants, a basketball team that won, a Mia Hamm led soccer team... What are the story lines going into the 2020/2021 games? Gender issues, social justice charged soccer and basketball teams, who is your Phelps in the pool? Women’s top sprinter popped for marijuana, the one thing to always fall back on is women’s gymnastics but then that gets plagued with mental health drama. There are good stories but it’s not the same. My employees at the store wanted to watch Sportscenter over the olympics this morning. I have my kids the option of watching the Olympics or read a book and they chose to read a book... and they hate reading.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Im actually enjoying these olympics.

Our swim team, while not killing it, is super young and rebuilding.

I'm enjoying women's water polo and women's beach volleyball.

I'm a Djokovic fan and really pulling for him to win the golden slam.

I'm looking forward to track and field, wrestling and boxing.

US viewer ship is starting to climb, last I read. It really doesn't matter what euro soccer players do. It's soccer. Soccer is cfb, NFL college bball, NBA and MLB all rolled in to one. It's everything to them.

 

[TorontoGold]

Ratings down.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.la...for-nbc-its-about-relative-strength?_amp=true

Read that. Interesting article shows that streaming is up 24% from 2016 - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/tokyo-olympics-ratings-19point8-million-viewers-watched-sunday.html

When looking at the data, and not politicized opinion pieces, it was strange (in my opinion) to see the summer Olympics always outperform the winter Olympics. Figured the reverse would be true since the winter events are more chaotic/less graceful.

 

[calvegas04]

Wow USA's Finke out of no where to win the 800m freestyle!!

 

[NorthDakota]

Read that. Interesting article shows that streaming is up 24% from 2016 - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/tokyo-olympics-ratings-19point8-million-viewers-watched-sunday.html

When looking at the data, and not politicized opinion pieces, it was strange (in my opinion) to see the summer Olympics always outperform the winter Olympics. Figured the reverse would be true since the winter events are more chaotic/less graceful.

I'd expect Summer to do better because the sports are generally ones we all sorta understand. We all did many of them in gym class and on playgrounds growing up. Winter is basically exclusively specialized events and huge portions of the American public don't grow up around snow or ice.

 

[tussin]

It’s a shame that swimming is only pushed every 4 years given how thrilling the races are. The Dressel win was awesome.

 

[Irish#1]

I'll be damned if I didn't flip over last night only to see another commercial. lol

 

[IrishRazor82]

Also, this hardly feels like an Olympic games,… idk if it’s the pandemic or what but it’s the least I’ve really been into the Olympics ever

COVID craze makes everything suck. Look at sports ratings in America for the past 15 months. Fans in the stands matter more than we realized. But people love to keep COVID alive for some reason.

"Two weeks to slow the spread".

 

[mango4]

It’s a shame that swimming is only pushed every 4 years given how thrilling the races are. The Dressel win was awesome.

The announcer declared Dressel a winner way too early. They had like 10 meters left and he called it. Dressel won by like .06 seconds.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Sunni Lee!!

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Sunni Lee!!

What a clutch performance when the chips were down!

 

[Irish#1]

Women's volleyball is going to a fifth set tie breaker against Turkey after taking a 2-0 lead.

Update:
USA ranked #1 in the world holds off #4 Turkey 15-12 in the tie breaker in Pool B. Started out 6-2, then let Turkey go up 9-8 before rallying for the win.

 

[RDU Irish]

Do people even try to hide spoilers any more? I have seen three different places, including a damn pop-up notification that Lee won individual gold. Can't even avoid it to keep suspense on for tonight.

Water polo and rugby kick ass. Also 3v3 basketball. Non-stop action and fairly short games.

 

[Irish#1]

Do people even try to hide spoilers any more? I have seen three different places, including a damn pop-up notification that Lee won individual gold. Can't even avoid it to keep suspense on for tonight.

Water polo and rugby kick ass. Also 3v3 basketball. Non-stop action and fairly short games.

Just watched a clip. When did they bring playground basketball to the games? lol

 

[IrishLax]

Just watched a clip. When did they bring playground basketball to the games? lol

It's so good. Loved every minute of Latvia vs Russia, and Team USA in the women's finals. They need to get rid of the 10 minute clock and play it out to 21, but it's already an amazing product. I would also maybe tweak the foul structure.

 

[Irish#1]

It's so good. Loved every minute of Latvia vs Russia, and Team USA in the women's finals. They need to get rid of the 10 minute clock and play it out to 21, but it's already an amazing product. I would also maybe tweak the foul structure.

It's like watching a Gus Macker tournament except it's not a lot of dudes that still think they can play in the NBA. Just seemed weird when they already have basketball.

 

[greyhammer90]

Are there more strict amateurism rules for 3x3? I was surprised that there weren't a few guys from the NBA who couldn't make the US team. Seems like even the guys who are too old or worn down to do the full basketball tournament would enjoy playing in it. Curry could basically just sit at the 3 point (in this case, 2 point) line every game.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/ByKimberleyA/status/1420962059894808578[/TWEET]

 

[Irishize]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/ByKimberleyA/status/1420962059894808578[/TWEET]

I saw a frame by frame breakdown of one of her practice runs at the Olympics and the her expression reflected what she describes. Not to mention how it affected her attempt…not good.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I saw a frame by frame breakdown of one of her practice runs at the Olympics and the her expression reflected what she describes. Not to mention how it affected her attempt…not good.

Right? I mean if she tried to transfer to the other bar out of control? I mean...not sure why this is even controversial.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Ryan Murphy and the Brits making doping allegations against the Russians. I believe it and honestly, the Russians shouldn't even be there.

 

[Irish#1]

Ryan Murphy and the Brits making doping allegations against the Russians. I believe it and honestly, the Russians shouldn't even be there.

Wait! What? The Russians doping? Like Yogi said, "It's Deja Vu all over again."

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/ByKimberleyA/status/1420962059894808578[/TWEET]

The first night I honestly thought she was just super amped up everything looked like it had too much power or speed. Now I think that may have been her just trying to move at a speed where her brain didn't have time to think.

My problem is during US qualifying they were saying she wasn't doing her hardest tricks. Now she admits she's been having this issue for a while. Her team and her coaches weren't surprised.

If this has been ongoing I don't think she should have gone out there on team qualifying night.

That's on her and her coaching staff.

Her mistake was rocking the GOAT on her leotard, then walking away and first mentioning about how she wasn't doing it for herself or having fun.

The narrative should have been all along about how she's in the middle of a gymnasts version of a slump and she hasn't been able to fight her way through it. No one would have questioned that.

That's on Simone and her team of advisors.

I don't believe a lot of peoples actual problem with what she first said was about the mental health aspect so much as the optics of struggling the first night and still qualifying well, then falling on the second night, then pulling out, then coming out and saying oh I might be able to make the all around competition.

 

[Sea Turtle]

US women's soccer loses to Canada. Will play for the bronze.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

US women's soccer loses to Canada. Will play for the bronze.

Have to think that penalty was bullshit. Seen it all kinds of ways and cant wrap my head around how it was a penalty. They shouldnt have been in that position anyway against Canada. Been towing a tight line all tourney.