Diary of an Olympian (Watcher) Preview – Part 4 of 5

By Keith Miller

Modern Pentathlon

You’d think an event combining all the elements of fencing, swimming, horse riding, shooting and running, would get more recognition.  Surely

there’s something in there for everyone – but maybe that’s the problem.  It gets less attention than a red-headed stepson.  Traditionally dominated by athletes who may not be in attendance at Rio (if you get my drift), this is played out too late in the schedule to not get swamped by the more glamorous events.

New Zealand wise, the TV viewing for this is pretty good. Forget the start time of 4:00am, but watch the rest of it throughout the morning – it should finish up as you’re digging into lunch.

Gold Medals on offer:  2

NZ Participation:  No

Rowing

Always a favourite here, and likely to provide a medal haul of comparatively epic proportions, rowing has only missed one Modern Olympics (the first one in Athens when the TV weathermen failed to predict poor weather in 1896).  Starting on Day 1, the event is done and dusted halfway through the schedule, and it will be interesting to see how the cross winds differ from recent World Champs venues.  With so many events on offer, there’ll be different strokes for different folks (geddit?).  But don’t get too excited just yet……

It’s such a shame that one of the most anticipated events in NZ’s history is going to be watched over here by the minority.  Each day kicks off at 11:30pm our time, with the racing go through until the godawful time of 02:40am.  Ouch.

Gold Medals on offer:  14

NZ Participation:  Yes

Rugby Sevens

Much like Golf, in hindsight Sevens may have been better off debuting in Japan (not that it had a choice) to resally capitalise on the local market.  To get an idea as to just how well known the sport is at Olympic level, take a look at the Session Competition Schedule on the official Rio website.  Just don’t look for Sevens.   Or Rugby Sevens.  It’s listed there as Rugby.  I’m not convinced that the future of Olympic Sevens is anywhere near as secure as plenty of New Zealanders would have us believe.  And as for taking over the world?  Pfffft.

The early sessions on NZ TV screen from 2:00am to 5:00am, but the later games and medal matches will be perfect morning viewing if you’re that way inclined.  The medal games are live between 8.30am and 11:00am.

Gold Medals on offer:  2

NZ Participation:  Yes

Sailing

Another NZ favourite, and the racing is spread well across the Rio schedule (Day 3 to Day 13).  From the little I watched in London, the commentary was terrible – and when the athletes are miles away this could be an all important factor in the viewer’s enjoyment (or lack thereof).  Sure, the weather in Rio will be far warmer than what was experienced off shore four years ago, but I’ve never been able to understand why you’d go to watch sailing live simply to watch a big screen.

As it is decidedly difficult to have sailing under floodlights, the viewing time here is pretty average, to say the least.  Each day starts at 1:00am NZT, and finishes up at 8.30am.

Gold Medals on offer:  10

NZ Participation:  Yes

Shooting

There is one very unfortunate thing about shooting as a television sport, and it’s quite critical.  It makes for rather dreary viewing.  The issue is that the athletes (?) are so accurate that unless one of them has a complete shocker – or goes postal live on TV – it’s the same old, same old.  Unlike Archery, slow-mo is of no use, and the same variables do not exist.  Here’s a fun fact about shooting.  Umm….nope, can’t find one.

Unless you’re a fanatic, you’re unlikely to bother, but I’ll tell you anyway.  The viewing times in NZ are from around midnight to 7:30am.

Gold Medals on offer:  15

NZ Participation:  Yes

Swimming

Four years ago I whinged at the fact that despite being a glamour event, there were far too many Olympic medals handed out for the pool events (32).  The end result was that it all started to get, well, a little tedious.  Thankfully, the IOC/FINA haven’t increased the events – but they haven’t reduced them either.  The racing (split into two daily sessions) is spread across the first eight days of the schedule, so at least it’s easy to follow.  Oh yeah, and Michael Phelps is back.

The morning sessions for NZ viewers are most unpleasant (and let’s face it, if you want to see any NZ swimmer other than Lauren Boyle there’s your opportunity), you’ll need to be up between 4:00am and 6:30am.  The evening sessions however are fantastic viewing here – the medal races are on from 1:00pm to 3.30pm.

Gold Medals on offer:  32

NZ Participation:  Yes

Synchronised Swimming

Stop sniggering please.  These athletes have amazing lung capacity, fitness and the remarkable ability to, errrr, synchronise.  Does that make it a genuine Olympic sport?  Hell no, but for reasons only known to the IOC it’s hung in there since 1984.  Singularly unappealing, with its only real saving grace being that there are only two golds on offer.

You’ll need to MySky it in NZ if you want the full TV experience, as the sessions screen between 2:00am and 6:30am.  Are you going to?  Of course you’re not.

Gold Medals on offer:  2

NZ Participation:  No

Follow Keith on Twitter; he’s finally done it