Olympics

[Deleted]

Regardless weather you like the Olympics or not, think its boring, think rythmic gymnastics is ridiculous, or weather you think arm wars/ARMMELTER series are the future.

The fact remains, billions tuned in to watch the Olympics, and ALL the athletes are funded.

BEING PART OF THE OLYMPICS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING FOR AW. I agree with Rick.

[John Milne]

We don't have the number of athletes to even put in a bid. Nor do we have the funding to do so. I'd like to armwrestle on the moon, but is it a dream worth chasing? No, it isn't... at least not yet. Let's get our motivation and resources going in the right direction instead of chasing something we can't even apply for yet.

We need to build the sport via exposure. ArmWars is doing that on Eurosport and by all accounts will be on N.A. television in the coming couple years.

I'd like to see a study on numbers of European armwrestling and if they are getting new athletes because of the television, but I think it's too early. It stands to reason it will bolster their ranks as our sport becomes more mainstream.

MMA made it huge without Olympics and I'd say they are better off for it. I'd like to model armwrestling after UFC or something similar.

WAF is a failure when it comes to exposure. Less than 50 people tuned in to watch it online this year. Read that again... Less than 50!! WAF is boring and watered down from a viewers perspective. The model does not even appeal to our own armwrestlers!! How can it appeal to the general population?

On another note, between 107 and 120 MILLION viewers watch Arm Wars. Compare that and get back to me.

I guess it depends on your perspective. If you want a shot at a gold medal once every 4 years, vote to run with the Olympics. If you want a chance to earn cash, be seen on TV in front of Millions, compete up to 5 times a year then place your loyalty elsewhere.

Rarely do Chris and I disagree but this one we're polar opposites on.

[silverback]

Interesting views. I don't think I'll ever get to see armwrestling as part of the olympics in my lifetime so I guess I'll have to consider other avenues such as Arm Melter, Armwars and others. Is there any cash to be won at future Arm Melters?

[Deleted]

I do agree with you John that ARMWARS etc is the realistic future. I'm quite certain aw will never make it into the Olympics. We don't have the volume and there are way too many selfish hands reaching into the pie to atain unity. However "in theory" and if it was a plausible option.. 95% of aw's would vote Olympics.

[John Milne]

Yes Conrad. Joe pays his Champions as well as Challengers.

[silverback]

Thanks John.

[Deleted]

... On a side note. The biggest joke in the history of athletics is curling being an Olympic event. No strength, endurance or agity required (much like billiards & darts)... End of rant.

[Hugh Brodie]

Don't aim for the Olympics right away - start with the Commonwealth or Pan-Am Games (or even something like the X Games). Get recognized there, and the Olympics may follow.

[John Roberts]

[stands now, if armwrestling were in the Olympics, Canada would be hard pressed to place anyone on the podium.


I think Devon would do okay as well as some of our women.

Just sayin brother

Hope all is well Rick

[John Milne]

yeah, Devon is number one in the world BOTH arms and this is the support he gets here in his own country.

"Hard pressed to get on the podium"

Unreal. What a joke.

George is ranked very highly in the world, continues to place or win every tournament he enters and .... he'd be "hard pressed to get on the podium". Let me remind you he toyed with the WAF Champion at the Arnold Classic last year.

Nice support system we have here. This is even coming from one of our highest elected positions.

[Will Sarty]

Think what you want about the "Support system" John and get down to reality. How many World level events have you been to? How many has Rick been to? I think Rick has a good outlook on which Countries have a greater success rate in this sport. You have mentioned 2 people! Both from your area. Step outside of the Ontario bubble and read what he wrote. Devon is awesome, yes. He's ranked #1 yes. As he should be. George is great, yes. Noone said or questioned this. Rick was looking at the overall picture. Don't take stuff to heart and look at the facts

[Matt Wiggins]

i think all avenues need to be explored/expanded more, though i like the sounds of being tied into the x-games but awing might not be right for them. agreed there is way to many sh!ty hobby sports in the olympics now adays, speed walking, really?

[Will Sarty]

Water polo!! Wtf

[John Milne]

"Ontario bubble"

Really Will?

You think I chose Devon and George because they're from Ontario?? Get real.

Devon is the number one in the world... I think he's a solid choice.

George played with the WAF Champion... I think he's a solid choice too.

I'd pick either of them if they were from Saskatoon, St. John's or Nunavut... Ontario has nothing to do with it. You should be realistic here.

By your logic Rick should be right about any argument.. he's attended more World events than me. That makes ZERO sense. You ask me to look at the facts. I presented them to you. Devon and George play with WAF Champions... literally play with them.

I read what he wrote, more than once. I'm looking at the whole picture and presented 2 very solid candidates for WAF podium placements. It was in reply to his comment about Canada being "hard pressed to get on the podium". It was not an Ontario driven cheering section or bashing anything outside of Ontario. I suggest you read what I wrote and you think about it.

[Will Sarty]

"Nice support system we have here. This is even coming from one of our highest elected positions." John Milne


This was the comment I was referring to. You can drop the tone on this board. Yes you presented two people. I mentioned Ontario because I would pick Anthony over George anyday. Nobody bashed Canada or our athletes. He simply stated it would be extremely hard to compete and hit the podium with the Euros, based on the way they train, already in the mentality that it is infact an Olympic sport.

You attending World level events is very relevant. Rick sees the caliber of athletes that attend the worlds EVERY year. If this was open to the Olympics do you think it would only be two people per country per class. I doubt that very much. I think the European countries would demolish us (besides people like Devon) like they already do at the World medal count, but more so if they were allowed to send more than the allotted 2 people.

Since 2008 Canada has hit the podium less than 25 times. This is over 22 categories (corrct me if im wrong) for each year! Thats 88 Categories with 264 chances to get a medal, and we have less than 25. Those are the facts. Now you throw in the mix that a country would be able to send more than 2 athletes per class per country, Wow. 90% of those medals were won by Dave Hicks, Sylvio Bourque, and Earl Wilson. All in the Masters/Grand Masters category, which would most likely not be in the Olympics.

I would NEVER take away what our athletes have done at the World level, nor Devons ranking, nor Georges performance. I think what we have done given what we have for training, is incredible going against the Europeans who have the support system. We are not developing as a team as fast as the Euros. Thats a given. We go to the Worlds already behind.

But there is no need to say Rick, being at his level on the executive, doesnt support our Canadian Arm Wrestlers. Thats pushing it John