New Event to be Added to Women’s Gymnastics (NSFW) (1265 hits)
Category: SportsRating: 0.33 on 11 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Evan Greene <ScoutCJustice.at.aol.com> (View user info) at 2004-08-25 16:23:04 EDT
Associated Press:
A new event is scheduled to be added to the gymnastics competition for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In light of recent complaints about the relative low number of women's events in the gymnastics competition, the IOC has decided to add a new, women's only Olympic event. In the past, the women have competed in only 4 events; the balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars and the vault. However, the men compete in 6 events; the floor exercise, horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings and the vault. To even the scales a new, single bar event will be instituted in the women's team competition, the overall women's competition, and the women's single event competition.
The new event will be much like the men's horizontal bar with one key difference. Instead of a horizontal bar, the women's bar will be vertical. Focusing more on style, grace and rhythm than the strength displayed in the men's horizontal bar, the vertical bar will be set to music and feature the gymnast's ability to maintain graceful composure while performing difficult holds and spins on the bar. The more difficult holds will involve clinging to the bar with one's legs, often inverted, while still displaying the elegance and beauty we've come to expect from such finely toned women. Points will also be awarded for unique style and routine, fostering creativity on the vertical bar.
Initial reaction to the new event has been mixed. The United States' reaction has been one of overwhelming support. This new event is expected to be America's strongest event in the gymnastics competition as the United States has by and large the largest number of vertical bar gymnasts in the world.
"The addition of this new event is great," According to Tony Soprano, owner of the Badda Bing, the foremost vertical bar club in the United States, "For years, these hard-working women have been giving it their all on stage every night, their only satisfaction the pleasure the spectators take from watching them perform and the sweaty wads of one dollar bills they collect while on stage. Now they have the opportunity to be recognized worldwide for their efforts."
Also, the new event will give a chance for the Pacific Northwest to shine in the summer Olympics. Only one current member of the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team was born west of Missouri, Jennifer Parilla of Southern California. In a sport dominated by athletes from the Northeast and the Heartland, the vertical bar will give a chance for talented gymnasts from Oregon and Portland, the state and city with the most clubs for vertical bar gymnasts per capita respectively, to take center stage.
Reactions have been less than enthusiastic worldwide, especially among the more conservative European cultures. The response from the Arab world has been one of downright hostility, but honestly, when it comes to women expanding their roles in society, when is it not.
Despite the mixed reaction the IOC feels very confident in the eventual success of this fledgling sport. After all, no one really cares about women's volleyball, yet millions tuned in to the women's beach volleyball finals thanks to some tweaking of the rules, namely the harsh restrictions on the width of the bikini bottoms that are worn by the athletes. The IOC feels that if reducing the size of swimsuits could do so much for volleyball, imagine what a vertical bar event could do for women's gymnastics.
User Reviews
Submitted by dakingisdead (user info) at 2004-08-25 23:36:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I reckon they should bring in the pommel horse for women.
I volunteer to be the horse.
Submitted by NetProphet (user info) at 2004-08-25 21:29:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
No Comment
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2004-08-25 18:40:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
9.7
Submitted by Scientifik (user info) at 2004-08-25 18:20:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Gee this hasn't been done before
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-08-25 17:31:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-08-25 17:29:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
did we really need the picture?
we're not that dumb... well some people are. damn.
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-08-25 17:17:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
very clever
i like boys
Submitted by Judoka (user info) at 2004-08-25 16:53:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Xena (user info) at 2004-08-25 16:28:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I am shocked that anyone wasted their time in writing this piece of crap!
Submitted by boomslang (user info) at 2004-08-25 16:28:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
boobs....upside down, "duuhhhhh..."
Submitted by RamJetMax (user info) at 2004-08-25 16:25:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Amazing.