> > > This is worse than the inclusion of equestrian events.
> >
> > Hrm? Watch out, or I'll sick Leen on you. Equestrian events are absolutely fitting. Few people realize it, but horseback riding is a physically taxing activity and requires precise physical coordination and timing. It's as appropriate as any traditional Olympic sport.

Equestrian events are even more traditional than most events, they having been a part of the Olympics for the last 2700 years or so. I believe chariot races, and naked bareback trick pony stunt-double horse racing were the first big crowd pleasers in the Olympics. :-)


> That comment surprised me as much as if someone had said "it's worse than the inclusion of swimming." [...] If you think the horse does everything itself and the rider just sits there, then anybody off the street could buy an appropriately-trained horse and win a gold medal at the Olympics. That's no more true than saying I could win an Olympic road race tomorrow if I only had the same kind of bike they use.
>
> Brunnen-"I wish"G

Horse racing and off-road racing are certainly physical but they don't push the limits nearly enough. Nah, my personal vote would be for the death-defying exploits of "WWII-style Olympic Dogfighting" performed in Sopwith Camel biplanes using PAINTBALL. Now *there's* an event I'd like to see.

Wolf "I wish!" spirit