The Sportsfreak Olympic Wrap – Part 2 of 6

CANOE SLALOM – 5/10
The Coverage:
Much like the Penrith course from 2000 (and a large number of my ex-girlfriends), it was good to look at, but mentally challenging. Some of the super slow motion replays provided some of the best images of the games, but it suffered from a fairly average time slot and didn’t really capture the imagination in NZ, despite two of our competitors being involved.

The Pros:
This is one of those sports that we average punters reckon we could do reasonably well in. In reality we’d be utter crap – it’s obviously tough, and it shows. Mike Dawson started fairly well, but “The Mutant” slipped in the semis. By the way, I know he’s called “The Mutant” because Mark Watson told me. Just over a dozen times.

The Cons:
As a sport it didn’t quite hit the mark, and you would be justified to query whether it is really should still be involved at Olympic level. And let’s face it – any event that has you competing with your mum as a course judge has to be questioned.

CANOE SPRINT – 5/10:
The Coverage:
Eton Dorney was a picture, but unlike the rowing, the canoeing was not quite as good a fit for us time-wise. Perhaps it would be fairer to read the rowing comments as far as coverage goes.

The Pros:
Lisa Carrington (well, for NZ anyway). Not much else on offer to be fair.

The Cons:
C’mon…….the one up one down side straddle looked bloody silly, and you know it. What next – Waka Ama? The 12 gold medals on offer was a real stretch, and it starts to look a little like a swimming meet as a result. I know NZ has a proud record in kayaking (sorry, canoe sprinting), but in all honesty it will always compare poorly to rowing. But we can’t leave the sport without a quick nod to Ben Fouhy. Many people believe that he is a tough competitor with a winning attitude, and needs his individuality to shine through to perform at his best. Personally, I see it more as Ben Fouhy being a spoilt turd, an A-Grade arsehole, and someone who can disappear off the planet for all I care. What a dick.

CYCLING (BMX) – 7/10
The Coverage:
Pretty impressive really, although hampered by the time difference factor. The camerawork (as you would expect from such a small area) and commentary was very good. Naturally a little bit of carnage helped.

The Pros:
Of all the dreaded expansion sports added to the Olympic programme over the last 20 years, you could make a very strong argument that this one belongs most. It is a modern adaption of traditional cycling racing, there are no confusing tactics, no marks for interpretation; it’s just a sprint to the finish with all pleasantries put to one side.

The Cons:
On one hand it is a nice snappy affair that is done and dusted in 40 seconds. However, whilst I am the last to want to introduce even more gold medal events (take note swimming and canoe sprint) surely there is some scope to increase the event to include a multi-lap race.

CYCLING (MOUNTAIN BIKE) – 2/10
The Coverage:
Only saw the highlights so I am struggling to come up with any relevant. Unlike a lot of sports this is a one off event, so if you miss it there are no second chances to view it again. Oh well.

The Pros:
I’m sure that on the right course, mountain biking can be rivetting. However………..

The Cons:
For a first class event you need plenty of passing opportunity, and we didn’t see a lot of those. The course didn’t look as challenging as it could have, a fact summed up well when the Italian took the bronze with a broken seat (oh grow up). Besides – isn’t mountain biking an event in the X Games? No? Well, it should be.

CYCLING (ROAD) – 6/10
The Coverage:
Not quite the Tour de France, but it looked pretty all the same. And the sun was shining. There was just the right number of arty TV shots without going overboard and losing the feel for the race. For the commentary see the entry for track cycling.

The Pros:
Perfect timing. London 2012 was lucky enough to capitalise on Bradley Wiggins’ win a couple of weeks earlier in the Tour de France, and the crowds turned up accordingly. Linda Villumsen was desperately unlucky not to score a medal in the time trial, but it was the road race they all turned up to watch.

The Cons:
Unfortunately, in true road racing style, the big crowd witnessed a win for a drugs cheat from Ukraine. Same old, same old.

CYCLING (TRACK) – 8/10
The Coverage:
It’s hard to muck up coverage from the velodrome, but all the same it was done well. Having been to an Olympic track event before (quick bit of big noting there, but I think I got away with it) , I understand how difficult it must be to transfer the atmosphere from the track to the screen. John Caldwell and the much maligned Rebecca Bailey brought us the commentary. Personally I liked Bailey’s style, and thought a lot of the criticism chucked towards her was totally unjustified. So there.

The Pros:
Any event involving split times is well worth a look. From a NZ perspective Simon van Velthooven was a breath of fresh air, and looked genuinely stoked – as he should be – to pick up the bronze in the Keirin. The bronze in the team pursuit was also a fine achievement. But the biggest rivalry on the track was compliments of Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton, with the Aussie winning out. Great stuff.

The Cons:
Not many. Not the best in the time zone factor, and ditching some prime events in favour of the likes of the points race is hard to fathom. Overall, these are minor complaints.