Most Watched Olympic Sports
by Bob Hanscom
February 13, 2013 - In a question put out there as to what the most popular and watched Olympic Game sports are, here are some of the answers - with "COMMENTS" regarding how SQUASH fits the bill...
Over the years, the Olympic Games have drawn viewers in from every corner of the world. There are only a few nations on our planet who aren't represented in at least one sport. And if a person owns a television, their eyes are probably tuned to the tube for the summer or winter Olympics.
COMMENT: Fact for sure! And..."only a few nations on our planet who aren't represented," to be sure pertains to our great game of SQUASH!
Of all the Olympic events out there, some have to be the most watched. Though it varies from year to year, simple polls give an idea of what the public likes and what they don't. Since they do vary so, it's hard to give any set order 1-10. The fact is, people will always change what they like, just like the athletes will always change.
COMMENT: Things DO change...hopefully in the favor of SQUASH!
The first to make the list is volleyball. Indoor volleyball is popular, but beach volleyball received astronomical numbers starting with the 2004 Olympics. On both the men's and women's side, the athletes dueled like gladiators in the sand, giving their blood, sweat and tears for their chance to stand on the podium. A fast-paced, exciting sport, volleyball will remain a top-watched sport for years to come.
COMMENT: Let's see, "dueled like gladiators," "giving blood, sweat and tears," "a chance to stand on the podium," "...fast paced" and "exciting." Sounds like a professional SQUASH match to me!
The next is Basketball. A game formerly belonging to only the American's, Olympic basketball is now up for grabs, with Spain and Greece trying to keep the USA from that gold medal.
COMMENT: "Formally belong to...whomever," squash is not restricted to or popular in just three countries, but played by 18 million men, women and children in over 175 countries. Sounds like a pretty good argument for SQUASH being included in the Games to me!
The Men's 100m final goes by like a bolt of lightening. With some of the world's fastest young men running this short race, eyes need to be fixated on the television or you're bound to miss the winner.
COMMENT: Well..."bolt of lightening" certainly describes the speed of a squash ball, "fastest young men (women too) running...", and "eyes need to be fixated on the television or you're bound to miss the winner," certainly does describe what viewing and/or playing SQUASH is all about!
Year after year, gymnastics makes the list as one of the most-watched events during the Summer Olympic Games. Young girls start training as soon as they can walk, giving all they can in hopes of walking away with the gold. Fans appreciate the effort and athleticism, and return the favor in the form of good ratings.
COMMENT: Well again, "...starting training as soon as they can walk," "giving all they can...," and "Fans appreciating the effort and athleticism" can certainly be said about SQUASH!
With increasing danger, Equestrian events make a surprising appearance as a most-watched. With the highest injury and death toll of any other Olympic event, these brave riders captivate an audience - maybe for all the wrong reasons.
COMMENT: For sure, "maybe for all the wrong reasons." However, "captivating an audience" is something SQUASH certainly does do.
This sport is projected to be among the most-watched this-coming year. Men's Tennis is talked about on every sports channel nationwide. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal starring for their respective countries, we're bound to see a rematch of Wimbledon.
COMMENT: Well...SQUASH has world professional and tournament championship stars too, like Ramy Ashour, Nicol David, Nick Matthew, Raneem El Weleily, James Willstrop, Laura Massaro, Greg Gaultier and Nour El Sherbini "starring for their respective countries" as well!
The Triathlon has a place in many viewers' hearts. As a grueling test of endurance, athletes are pushed to the limit in swimming, cycling, and running.
COMMENT: Wow..."grueling test of endurance, "athletes are pushed to the limit," sounds like a perfect SQUASH match scenario!
Swimming events rank high on the list as well. Whether it's the relay, backstroke, freestyle, or marathon, fans seem to love watching their favorite athletes dart through the water.
COMMENT: "Watching their favorite athletes dart..." perfectly describes SQUASH players "darting" around the court.
It may not be an actual event, but it's the glue that holds the entire Olympic Games together. The Opening Ceremony with the lighting of the torch has drawn in more views than any two events combined over the last few Olympics. It's something that every nation in the world can root for.
COMMENT: Viewing the all-glass, four-wall SQUASH court, with it's spectacular lighting - and located in some of the highest profile and iconic locations in the world can certainly duplicate that of "the lighting of the torch" (could it perhaps happen) "that every nation in the world can root for" is certainly something we would all look forward to seeing.
Wrestling hangs on to make the list. This isn't the WWE, with fake battle-cries and makeup. These ultimate warriors use brute strength and pure skill to pin opponents and score points
COMMENT: Well...we all now know the potential fate of Olympic wrestling. Sad...as some of the other "non-traditional" sports needed closer scrutiny for removal. And don't forget, "...pure skill" and "...scoring points" is what SQUASH is all about!
So...if SQUASH meets ALL the same (and more) of the criteria ALL the ten most popular and watched Olympic sports have...why doesn't our sport belong in the Olympic Games...beginning in 2020!?
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