Greatest global sports event

[English assassin]

QU: which is better, the Olympics or the World cup?

I say the world cup. Its true there are more nations in the Olympics, but most of them are obscure nations you aren't interested in, like America. Its also true there are more sports in the Olympics, but most of them are rubbish (big up to womens beach volleyball though). I mean, when did a nation all stay at home with a six pack to cheer on their mens 10 metre air pistol team, eh?

So, IMHO the world cup pwns the olympics. Views?

(NB global means global, so any sort of "world series" involving only teams from one nation does not count.)

[Fragony]

World cup of course, the whole world is football crazy and it seems like even america is getting the bug. It isn't just a sports event, it is so much more. Koffi Annan tends to say it better then me.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/comment/story/0,,1795365,00.html

oooooooops wrong link.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

It's absolutely the World Cup. The vast majority of Olympic events just do not work as spectator sports.

Hands up, when was the last time you went down the pub with your mates to watch the Hundred Metres?

[Avicenna]

Olympics, because China's hosting next. ~:thumb:

Also, China actually does well in the Olympics, and in the WC they've only qualified once I think.

[IrishArmenian]

World cup. World cup, world cup, world cup. Need I say it anymore?

[Lehesu]

I guess if you are into soccer, the World Cup is interesting. For myself, I actually don't mind watching a 100 meter dash or any other running event because I am a runner.

[thrashaholic]

Rugby World Cup... not because there's much competition or anything like that, but because I like rugby and that football and athletics bore me to tears.

...now if they had rugby in the olympics, that may change things...

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Futbol World Cup.

[Oaty]

The world cup of course, any event that has to import prostitution for it's fans is a sport of mine

[Marcellus]

World cup, without a doubt. So much more fun to watch.

[doc_bean]

Football is a game, the Olympics are about man showing what the human body is capable of if pused to extremes, they're both very different things.

World Cup is generally more fun though :2thumbsup:

[mercian billman]

world cup

[Crazed Rabbit]

NB global means global, so any sort of "world series" involving only teams from one nation does not count.

Well I'm glad you didn't exclude Baseball, which has teams from two countries competing to get there.

Not that it matters, though.

World Cup.

Crazed Rabbit

[Ianofsmeg16]

So, IMHO the world cup pwns the olympics.
Nuff said really

[Dutch_guy]

Well nothing surprising here:

World Cup.

The only international games in which we actually stand a chance.

:balloon2:

[Louis VI the Fat]

What is the olympics?

[Kralizec]

World cup. I enjoy both though.

[Zalmoxis]

The World Cup, it's the shiznit.

[Papewaio]

I think people will love whatever they are good at, the same applies to watching their teams play.

So anyone think that the results are 100% a product of the sportsmen on the field and not sullied by a murkey mix of pharmaceuticals and betting leagues?

[nokhor]

i wonder if you ask this same question in the middle of the olympics, whether you would get a different result here. i doubt it, but am just asking.

[AntiochusIII]

Well, they are very different, that's for sure.

For pure sport, duh. WORLD CUP! WORLD CUP! WORLD CUP! What bloody game is better than football? :balloon2:

However, the Olympics has its own purpose, its own grandeur, and it's the best in what it's meant to do, so I cannot honestly say, "the World Cup is better!"

[AwesomeArcher]

I like both but the Olympics are better IMO. There is so much more depth.

[spmetla]

I enjoy both. I think the World Cup is more fun to watch though, I've never jumped up yelling when when my country wins an olympic event or swore so much at the referees on TV when I don't like the call they made.

Olympics though are intersting to watch, love the winter Olympis, especially the Skying.

[doc_bean]

So anyone think that the results are 100% a product of the sportsmen on the field and not sullied by a murkey mix of pharmaceuticals and betting leagues?

After the mess in Europe the last year or so, I think FIFA is probably keeping a close eye on the betting. As for the pharmaceuticals, they're probably being used, but it matters less here than in a 'pure' physical event, I guess. afaik, drugs aren't going to improve your technique, your perhipeal (sp??) vision or your tactics.

[Papewaio]

afaik, drugs aren't going to improve your technique, your perhipeal (sp??) vision or your tactics.

Your speed and power and hence technique can be improved.
Recovery time and stamina can be improved so more training and hence technique improved again.
Your tactics can change because you can play a faster game and wear down the opposition.

For instance growth hormone has been shown to improve motor development (coordinantion/technique) and enhances bone and muscle strength.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Hockey olympics > all other events
followed closely by Football World Cup

[doc_bean]

Your speed and power and hence technique can be improved.
Recovery time and stamina can be improved so more training and hence technique improved again.
Your tactics can change because you can play a faster game and wear down the opposition.

For instance growth hormone has been shown to improve motor development (coordinantion/technique) and enhances bone and muscle strength.

Yes, but effect won't be as much as with other sports which rely almost solely on endurance/power/speed will it ?

I'm sure they're checked regularly...

[English assassin]

IMHO the clubs have too much money at stake to risk players getting caught on a drug charge, especially in a sport where the benefits would be marginal.

Except Rio Ferdinand of course...

[DukeofSerbia]

1. Winter olimpics ice-hockey's tournament
2. FIA Formula 1
3. (Football) World Cup