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Intellectual Olympic Sport
Because, really, these days there are non-physical sports (ie, shooting) why not diversify it a little more?
  (+4, -3)
(+4, -3)
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A few ideas: speed reading, typing WPM, jigsaw puzzles, mazes, etc...

21 Quest, Jul 17 2008

World Puzzle Federation http://www.worldpuzzle.org/
"It follows the Olympic standard, and brings together puzzlers from around the world for the annual World Puzzle Championship (WPC)." [jutta, Jul 17 2008]

How's this float your boat [21]? http://site.wcbo.or...ntent/index_en.html
I think it's ace. [theleopard, Jul 23 2008]

Competitive Philosophy http://en.wikipedia...s%27_Football_Match
For Mr Tindale. [DrBob, Jul 25 2008]

[link]






       Olympic sport bloat is becoming a problem for hosts, and in my opinion it is undermining the spectacle. Beach volleyball? Give me a break.   

       Venues shouldn't be a problem for the 'sports' suggested here, but I still think the Olympics should remain nerd-free.

Texticle, Jul 17 2008
  

       World-wide puzzle competitions exist. Do they really need to be lumped in with the olympics? What next, competitive eating? [thanks, po. Perhaps we should add spelling bees, too.]

jutta, Jul 17 2008
  

       //competetive// ahem!

po, Jul 17 2008
  

       An alternate 'Intellectual Olympics' would involve testing of competitors in the form of a topical question.   

       The question might require an explanation of the physics of the event, its origins and history or perhaps something more philosophical: "Synchronised swimming as an allegory for life in general - discuss".   

       The testing could happen before, after or during the event. Event points/time added or removed based on the quality of the answer given.

boysparks, Jul 17 2008
  

       Last night I dreamed I was doing solo erm, _synchronised_ swimming. I had swan-like grace.   

       [boysparks], call me crazy but I like my sportspeople to excel athletically, not academically. I don't want to see Stephen Hawking win the high dive gold medal.

Texticle, Jul 17 2008
  

       Faster, higher, stronger,... brainier?

Jinbish, Jul 17 2008
  

       I'm not sure I would classify shooting as a non-physical sport.   

       It is not an highly aerobic sport but it still requires an extremely high level of muscle control and precision. Athletes in the shooting sports are just as fit physically as those in other sports. The skill and effort required to reach the olympic level requires just as much training, skill and commitment as any other sport.   

       There are other sports in the olympics which fall into a similar framework such as some trowing and jumping sports in track and field, diving, sailing, bobsled, luge ski jumping, speed skiing and curling. All sports in which the focus is on athletic skill and control rather than strength or speed.   

       Couch potato sports just don't fit the intent of the olympics which is focused of mastery of body mind and spirit. Your "sports" have plenty of mind and spirit but are lacking in the body component.

jhomrighaus, Jul 17 2008
  

       //I like my sportspeople to excel athletically, not academically//   

       Texticle, I meant that they would have to excel at both.   

       The principle should also be applied to football after a goal is scored. Wrong answer = no goal. The transfer market values would be in turmoil.

boysparks, Jul 17 2008
  

       //Wrong answer = no goal//
sp: Wrong answer = cast over the side of the bridge of death

Jinbish, Jul 17 2008
  

       two words... vintage video games...

r_kreher, Jul 17 2008
  

       I'm all for making the olympics nerdier. I see no reason football and poker should be glamorized more than chess or philosophy. But I think they should do it by replacing half of the existing olympic categories. Start with horses and poker.

Voice, Jul 17 2008
  

       /The principle should also be applied to football/   

       So now as well as referees, we'll have quiz masters being jostled by tantruming prima donnas with primary school educations and million dollar salaries? Heroes.

Texticle, Jul 17 2008
  

       // I don't want to see Stephen Hawking win the high dive gold medal.//   

       This is exactly something I'd like to see. But I agree with your first anno, there's already too many nu, EXTREME sports.

Noexit, Jul 23 2008
  

       [+] Mensa would love this! And can you imagine the commentary?   

       ...but we'd have a whole new category of doping drugs to contend with. In fact, it would probably push the science of such far more than anything else, so I'm all for it.   

       Bring on the IQ pills please!

TIB, Jul 24 2008
  

       What about 'competitive philosophy'?

Ian Tindale, Jul 24 2008
  

       //What about 'competitive philosophy'?// No. What you're thinking of is just a debating competition - not that I'm against that, but it ain't philosophy.

pertinax, Jul 24 2008
  

       //'competitive philosophy//   

       sophistry?

mouseposture, Jul 24 2008
  

       Novel writing? Flower arranging?

phundug, Jul 25 2008
  

       pertinax, - but you wouldn't necessarily have to actually say anything, which of course you would if it were a debate. You'd just have to be more philosophical or better philosophically than your competitors. Or be quicker at being philosophical. Or something.

Ian Tindale, Jul 25 2008
  

       ... tablet swallowing

xenzag, Jul 25 2008
  

       How about more philosophical about not being quick? Would that count?

pertinax, Jul 25 2008
  

       I was thinking about London 2012 and the types of UK-centric sports that might be included, like the 100m Shoplift.

theleopard, Jul 25 2008
  
      
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