What Sports Do You Like / Practice?

[Florestan]

Like: Women's Volleyball first and foremost, Handball, Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, Football, Field Hockey.

Practice: None.

Your turn.

[DavidW]

When I support my students by attending athletic events, I tend to favor girl's volleyball, basketball, and tennis (of either gender).

I don't play anything.  When I was young, I liked playing basketball with my friends.

[DavidW]

I think soccer is the most unsatisfying game for me to watch (in person).  The distances involved are so large that you would need binoculars like at the opera house!

[(poco) Sforzando]

None and none.

[KevinP]

Could never get into sports as a spectator nor a participant.

[San Antone]

I mostly prefer high school sports rather than college or pro.  But MLB is the one professional sport of which I am an avid follower.  Yankee fan.

[KevinP]

I think soccer is the most unsatisfying game for me to watch (in person).  The distances involved are so large that you would need binoculars like at the opera house!

I especially don't get soccer (granted, I didn't grow up with it). They play for, what, three hours or so, and end up with a score like 1 to 0.

[SimonNZ]

I detest ant sport that tries to whip up "pride" in national or regional tribalism.

I used to play tennis and enjoy watching it and like that its one individual against another individual, though, annoyingly some commentators will still talk of "the Belgian versus the German" or how a win is "a great day for Slovenia".

It makes most of the Olympics unwatchable, imo.

[krummholz]

I detest ant sport that tries to whip up "pride" in national or regional tribalism.

I used to play tennis and enjoy watching it and like that its one individual against another individual, though, annoyingly some commentators will still talk of "the Belgian versus the German" or how a win is "a great day for Slovenia".

It makes most of the Olympics unwatchable, imo.

My view: better intense (but friendly) competition than outright war.

But I don't follow any sport either (including the Olympics). As a teenager I occasionally played tennis and badminton, but was never any good at either sport.

[Irons]

I especially don't get soccer (granted, I didn't grow up with it). They play for, what, three hours or so, and end up with a score like 1 to 0.

90 minutes + extra time, which can be anything between say, 4 to 6 minutes.

I detest ant sport that tries to whip up "pride" in national or regional tribalism.

I used to play tennis and enjoy watching it and like that its one individual against another individual, though, annoyingly some commentators will still talk of "the Belgian versus the German" or how a win is "a great day for Slovenia".

It makes most of the Olympics unwatchable, imo.

You have hit nail squarely on head. Football (soccer) is extremely tribal in Europe and South America. Tribalism feeds the multi-billion money making monster.

[Jo498]

I ran track as a boy for a few years (~12-16), played recreational sports sometimes when I was in my late teens and 20s and went jogging/running with some frequency (but also with years of no sports in between). Since a year or so I retreated to taking long walks but I don't really consider this sports, just minimal physical activity and to enjoy nature.

As a teenager in the 1980s I routinely followed big events like the Olympics, European and World cups in soccer, track & field and also Tour de France and other sports. In my memory of some summer holidays I'd watch Olympics for half the day (which might be an exaggeration).

I actually wanted to watch more of the Paris Olympics because the last 2 Olympics were in distant timezones and so will be the next 2 (LA and Brisbane). But in the end I mostly confined myself to track&field with only occasional glimpses of other sports as I realised I just not into it as much as I used to be.

[Florestan]

I detest ant sport that tries to whip up "pride" in national or regional tribalism.

I used to play tennis and enjoy watching it and like that its one individual against another individual, though, annoyingly some commentators will still talk of "the Belgian versus the German" or how a win is "a great day for Slovenia".

It makes most of the Olympics unwatchable, imo.

I disagree completely. I watched the Olympics daily for hours and never noticed any tribalism, unless by tribalism you mean people actively and noisily supporting their national teams or fellow countrymen/countrywomen, a very natural and absolutely benign thing.

By your token, you might as well object to the playing of national anthems at the victory ceremony.

Beside, what's wrong in calling, for instance, Djokovic Serbian and Alcaraz Spanish? It's what they are.

[Holden]

Watching:

Swimming - because I coached it and know what I'm watching.

Football (Soccer) that is NOT La Liga, EPL, Serie A or any countries' top flight. I get most of my enjoyment from watching the EFL Championship. VAR has killed top flight football for me.

Cricket

Darts

Snooker

There are others,

The only sport I participate in is Practical Pistol shooting (IPSC/USPSA)

[SimonNZ]

Beside, what's wrong in calling, for instance, Djokovic Serbian and Alcaraz Spanish? It's what they are.

Its as germane to the match as calling them Aries and Libra.

It only seems normal through habit. Now try calling two tennis players in commentary as "the European and the Asian", or "the Christian and the Muslim", and you might start to feel what I do for the needless nationalism.

By your token, you might as well object to the playing of national anthems at the victory ceremony.

Yup. Again: this only seems normal through habit.

[San Antone]

Its as germane to the match as calling them Aries and Libra.

The fact that the Olympics are a competition of national teams automatically sets up the context.  National pride in their teams is a large part of the appeal of the games.   

[SimonNZ]

The fact that the Olympics are a competition of national teams automatically sets up the context.  National pride in their teams is a large part of the appeal of the games.   

I was referring to tennis more generally, rather than just the Olympic matches. Wimbledon, etc.

[Jo498]

That's one reason why tennis doesn't belong to the Olympics. It has a different professional tradition (and grand tournaments) whereas the Olympics were at least in theory amateurs as late as the 1980s (it wasn't really true, but that's beside the point). (But I also understand why they included tennis because it's such a popular sport.)

But I agree with the Olympic idea that peaceful fair competition in sports should lead to more understanding and friendship among the competing nations who nevertheless compete as nations. It's futile to abolish tribalism because man is a social animal (so to get rid of this aspect completely would be an "abolition of man"), so we need to transform it from primitive/atavistic forms to amicable ones.

[Florestan]

Its as germane to the match as calling them Aries and Libra.

By this token, they shouldn't even be named, because names by themselves carry national connotations. Player 1 and Player 2 should be used instead.

It only seems normal through habit. Now try calling two tennis players in commentary as "the European and the Asian"

Men's Marathon winner stated in plain English: "I am proud for myself, my country and my continent!" He most certainly doesn't mind being called an African athlete. And I completely fail to see what is objectionable or offensive about calling Nadal "the European" , Tommy Paul "the American" and  Sumit Nagal "the Asian", unless you find geography itself objectionable and offensive.

Yup. Again: this only seems normal through habit.

Go ahead, write to the IOC suggesting they change their tribal habits.

I was referring to tennis more generally, rather than just the Olympic matches. Wimbledon, etc.

You clearly stated:

It makes most of the Olympics unwatchable, imo.

Any further discussion is futile, though. You might be the only person in the world who holds such bizarre views.

[SimonNZ]

By this token, they shouldn't even be named, because names by themselves carry national connotations. Player 1 and Player 2 should be used instead.

Men's Marathon winner stated in plain English: "I am proud for myself, my country and my continent!" He most certainly doesn't mind being called an African athlete. And I completely fail to see what is objectionable or offensive about calling Nadal "the European" , Tommy Paul "the American" and  Sumit Nagal "the Asian", unless you find geography itself objectionable and offensive.

Go ahead, write to the IOC suggesting they change their tribal habits.

You clearly stated:

Any further discussion is futile, though. You might be the only person in the world who holds such bizarre views.

Since I saw this reply last night I've been turning over the reasons why you might be taking this so personally and heatedly.

If my view is really so "bizarre" is it worth anything more than a chuckle to you? Why the anger? Why is "further discussion futile?

My experience of team sports is as the gladiatorial/Darwininan experience of the schoolyard and as legalised hooliganism in post school years. And I'm pretty sure its an experience shared by more than just myself.

A lot of sports can't - outside of the Olympics - keep that tidy and friendly at even the premiere level.

Your experience is different?

[Florestan]

Since I saw this reply last night I've been turning over the reasons why you might be taking this so personally and heatedly.

Oh, I do apologize if you took it so personally and heatedly. I just happen to greatly disagree with you, that's all. I never ever would deny your right to greatly disagree with me.

If my view is really so "bizarre" is it worth anything more than a chuckle to you?

Yes, it is. I really do want to understand the logic behind your view. If you care to explain it, that is.

Why the anger?

I am not angry. I am just flabbergasted.

Why is "further discussion futile?

Well, touche! It's just a figure of speech. I am all for discussion of all topics, in good faith --- which I do not for a second doubt that we have it. Heck, otherwise I wouldn't have replied to you. I do consider you a fair play opponent and I think that we have more in common than we have against. Honestly and in peace!

My experience of team sports is as the gladiatorial/Darwininan experience of the schoolyard and as legalised hooliganism in post school years. And I'm pretty sure its an experience shared by more than just myself.

Oh, yes, no disagreement from me on this, not at all! But this has got nothing at all with the Olympics spirit, which is the contrary of that and actively seeks to combat that! And I assure you that, had you followed the Paris Olympics unbiasedly, you'd have noticed fair play all around!

A lot of sports can't - outside of the Olympics - keep that tidy and friendly at even the premiere level.

Just point me out out to the one sport that, outside the Olympics, was brutal and unfriendly. I'm not saying there is none, I'm just saying I'm not aware of any.

Your experience is different?

Well, here's my personal experience. A few months ago, the Romanian national football team played against Switzerland -- and we won 2-0 and qualified for the European Football Championship. At one moment in time, the whole Romanian audience booed the Swiss players, don't ask me why! I did boo with all my lungs --- and my wife asked me: "Why do you boo them?" I replied "I have nothing against the Swiss, but I have come here to boo, so I will not boo our guys, but the Swiss!" and so I boowed the Swiss guys...

Heck, does this mean that I really do hate the Swiss team/guys? that I am a rabid nationalist? Not at all, God forbid! It's just a way of releasing psychic tension. I boo and then get home completely relaxed.

Is your experience different?