Is it time for motorbike sports at the Olympics

[pjg351]

First up only 16 days to go for the olympics, i wonder how many drug cheats they will catch this time But do you think there is room for motorcycle sports at the games maybe speedway, freestyle, Mx and Sx any of those are just as exciting, than say watching sailing or archery or better yet horse jumping especially if evreryone was on identical bikes, to make it fair they could do it on Honda step thru's.

[MotoMan]

I have been saying that for years Pete....but I don't think we will ever see it happen unfortunately.

[longwoodklon]

My understanding is this is the last year for baseball and softball, unless they vote them back in(they already voted them out, so chances of voting them in is slim). So, if you can vote out those 2 sports and still keep synchonized swimming, I dont' see any possible way for MX to get in.
/Mike

[Florida 393]

Pete,
Several groups tried to get MX in back in the early 70's. Trials was also considered. The I.O.C. told them that no type of sport where a machine could give the advantage to a competitor would be considered. No response when cycling and bob sled where presented as sports where machines were already in the Olympics. A bicycle can make a tremendous difference to a cyclist and the cycling bodies don't closely regulate the machine differences. Granted they are so similar that bearings, tires and bars largrely make their difference.

The FIM and AMA rule structures could help govern a bike's technical as is already done now. Bottom line seems to be the IOC does not want to open the door to non green sports to the games. X Games will do for now and they are growing while track and field and weight sports are loosing spectators due to doping scandals as is cycling but swimming to a lesser extent.

Cycling is dying out side of personal riding and amateur racing due to rampant doping scandals. The TdeF is one place that spectators still turn out but its doping is legendary. Clean up these sports or watch them die off. MX would be great to me as would trials. Bring them in please IOC.

Bill

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by Florida 393

Pete,
Several groups tried to get MX in back in the early 70's. Trials was also considered. The I.O.C. told them that no type of sport where a machine could give the advantage to a competitor would be considered. No response when cycling and bob sled where presented as sports where machines were already in the Olympics. A bicycle can make a tremendous difference to a cyclist and the cycling bodies don't closely regulate the machine differences. Granted they are so similar that bearings, tires and bars largrely make their difference.

The FIM and AMA rule structures could help govern a bike's technical as is already done now. Bottom line seems to be the IOC does not want to open the door to non green sports to the games. X Games will do for now and they are growing while track and field and weight sports are loosing spectators due to doping scandals as is cycling but swimming to a lesser extent.

Cycling is dying out side of personal riding and amateur racing due to rampant doping scandals. The TdeF is one place that spectators still turn out but its doping is legendary. Clean up these sports or watch them die off. MX would be great to me as would trials. Bring them in please IOC.

Bill

Bill, cycling at the olympics is one of the sports i do like to watch, it's a bit like match racing one on one, it's a shame the sport has become a drug users heaven. The tour de France is a good example of how rife the EPO use is, i can't help thinking all this started with the commies, remember the East German swim team they were two axe handles wide across the shoulders And then when the big corparate dollars came into sport the rest is history. Now i sit back and wonder if any of the medialists on the podium are not using, so who will be the fastest 100 meter drug runner this time around

[yzernie]

I would hate to see the long standing traditions of the Olympics be degraded by the freestyle freak show.

[tblacc]

Originally Posted by yzernie

I would hate to see the long standing traditions of the Olympics be degraded by the freestyle freak show.

Definitely agree with that last statement. Theres is no way a competition, so prestigous as the olympics, will ever allow FX. nothing against those guys, they are good at what they do, but think of the stigma that comes with that sport. Now imagine that on the worlds grand stage!!! I dont think so. Because of the image that comes with FX, MX will never be allowed in the olympics. When the average person thinks of dirtbikes they think FX. People that are not expossed to our sport, besides the FX that they see on tv, dont know the dedication, and skill our sport takes. The average person will not watch an MX race but, will go ape **** at the thought of cut off fenders, shorts, and that famous M/M sign. Just my opinion!!

[Florida 393]

Originally Posted by yzernie

I would hate to see the long standing traditions of the Olympics be degraded by the freestyle freak show.

Agreed 100% Ernie. I only wish MX in the true outdoor style or traditional trials could be incorporated. I am a realist though and know I'll never see this.

Pete, I agree with your assessment also. I ride a road bike for exercise and have long loved racing and track bicycling. The current state with the drugs breaks my heart. I know it will probably never leave either. The East Germans and the Soviet block let the doping genie out of the bottle in the Olympics and now it is everywhere. MX is probably one of the last reasonably clean sports, for now. Let the freak show get in and I'll bet we start seeing doping in our sport too. Even golf has questions of the use of Beta Blockers and SSRI drugs being used to quiet the Yips. It is all just sad. Bring back the true amatuer Olympics with clean athletes of the early days.

Bill

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by Florida 393

Agreed 100% Ernie. I only wish MX in the true outdoor style or traditional trials could be incorporated. I am a realist though and know I'll never see this.

Pete, I agree with your assessment also. I ride a road bike for exercise and have long loved racing and track bicycling. The current state with the drugs breaks my heart. I know it will probably never leave either. The East Germans and the Soviet block let the doping genie out of the bottle in the Olympics and now it is everywhere. MX is probably one of the last reasonably clean sports, for now. Let the freak show get in and I'll bet we start seeing doping in our sport too. Even golf has questions of the use of Beta Blockers and SSRI drugs being used to quiet the Yips. It is all just sad. Bring back the true amatuer Olympics with clean athletes of the early days.
Bill

Right on Bill, the Christians V lions

[Florida 393]

Bill

[tblacc]

Originally Posted by Florida 393

Agreed 100% Ernie. I only wish MX in the true outdoor style or traditional trials could be incorporated. I am a realist though and know I'll never see this.

Pete, I agree with your assessment also. I ride a road bike for exercise and have long loved racing and track bicycling. The current state with the drugs breaks my heart. I know it will probably never leave either. The East Germans and the Soviet block let the doping genie out of the bottle in the Olympics and now it is everywhere. MX is probably one of the last reasonably clean sports, for now. Let the freak show get in and I'll bet we start seeing doping in our sport too. Even golf has questions of the use of Beta Blockers and SSRI drugs being used to quiet the Yips. It is all just sad. Bring back the true amatuer Olympics with clean athletes of the early days.

Bill

Actually there was an article in the last racer x edition, that said the ama was thinking of testing for drugs. Mainly testostrone. Check it out!!

[Florida 393]

Not 1 bit surprised at this. It all sucks.

Bill

[kschilk]

Seeing as how Motocross was mortally wounded, on March 13, 1971 and officially pronounced dead, on July 8, 1972....it really can't be done anyway.

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by kschilk

Seeing as how Motocross was mortally wounded, on March 13, 1971 and officially pronounced dead, on July 8, 1972....it really can't be done anyway.

Motorcycle racing was actually tried at the 1900 Olympics in Paris.