Though the Olympics are wonderful, I don’t think much of the IOC. One of the least democratic organizations in the world, it badly needs reform.
I disagree with those like Brian Martin who want to abolish the Olympics altogether. But everyone needs to pressure the IOC to improve.
Alternatives to the Olympics should be encouraged too. The X Games have potential and problems.
I was unhappy when the Goodwill Games were cancelled after 2001.
And what about the biggest alternative of all — The World Games?
The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games. …
Some of the sports that were on the program of the World Games eventually made it as Olympic sports (such as triathlon) or have been Olympic sports in the past (like tug of war). Participation in past World Games is included in the evaluation criteria used to select new Olympic sports adopted by the IOC on August 12, 2004. However, with the current position of the IOC to limit the Olympic Games to 10,500 participants, it is unlikely than many of the World Games sports will be elevated to the Olympic sports.
Sports (sometimes) included are: Synchronized trampoline, Tumbling, Sport aerobics, Sports acrobatics, Individual rhythmic gymnastics, Artistic roller skating, Wakeboarding and some martial arts.
Organizers of the next World Games, Taiwan 2009 have posted a somewhat goofy promotional video.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
World Games – official website
4 comments ↓
What are your views on the AYOF going on at the moment?
Had not heard much about it.
But will research the event and post something on the blog.
THANKS for the question.
I think you have a good point here about competition and choice being good.
One (different) note: Taiwan has an interesting political situation of being for all effects and purposes an independant country, but lives in the fiction of not being one. Do they even get to go to the Olympics? I don’t think so. Maybe that’s why they bankroll an alternate.
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