Sports rendered just about palatable on TV by great editing.

[Dogtrousers]

I got into sport by trying to avoid it at school...

We could get out of school sports if we wanted to do a sport at the local leisure centre that wasn't available at school, so me and a mate took up squash to avoid school sports

We loved it!

I recall one sport avoidance attempt at school was cycling. Me and a mate claimed cycling was a sport (what preposterous idea ) and asked if we could to go off for a ride. We would probably have done a decent distance as we regularly rode 50+ miles together at weekends. But no, permission not granted. So it was back to the main curriculum sports: skiving and disrupting.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I absolutely love the Olympics and other athletics, but yes, have to admit that a few months later I have usually forgotten who won what unless it was something really special like Josh Kerr beating Jakob Ingebrigtsen or similar.

I'd probably be equally impressed if I knew who either of these people are.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I recall one sport avoidance attempt at school was cycling. Me and a mate claimed cycling was a sport (what preposterous idea ) and asked if we could to go off for a ride. We would probably have done a decent distance as we regularly rode 50+ miles together at weekends. But no, permission not granted. So it was back to the main curriculum sports: skiving and disrupting.

That would be considered dangerous levels of initiative in my old school, especially by the sports teachers, who were (and I'm speaking of a specific group here, not generally) largely as dense as a box of rocks, with a little less empathy.

 

[yello]

In my day, at school in NZ, sport was something you just did. Back then anyway, maybe it's changed now. It was kinda normal, it didn't really matter if you were rubbish at it. I never threatend 1st team selection at cricket. I wasn't a natural rugby player (my college didn't have a football team) but I played it. Some didn't take part, sure, but most did.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

Are me and @Accy cyclist the only lawn green bowls fans hereabouts?

That makes three of us 🙂

 

[Dogtrousers]

That would be considered dangerous levels of initiative in my old school, especially by the sports teachers, who were (and I'm speaking of a specific group here, not generally) largely as dense as a box of rocks, with a little less empathy.

They were probably right not to allow it though. Thinking about it now, there's no way we would have gone for a ride when we were supposed to be going for a ride. That would have been letting them win. We'd have gone to the cafe in the station and played cards, or some such.

 

[Beebo]

Speed walking has got to be the most pointless of sports.
Just run normally.

 

[Pblakeney]

Speed walking has got to be the most pointless of sports.
Just run normally.

It is funny to watch though.
Only for 15 seconds mind...

 

[Dogtrousers]

Speed walking has got to be the most pointless of sports.
Just run normally.

Famous race-walking Labour politicians: No. 1, Dennis Skinner

 

[AndyRM]

That makes three of us 🙂

Four! I played for a few years and got almost quite good. I absolutely knackered the average age stats at my club.

As for sport, probably rally for me. Live is all about the atmosphere which is fun but it's hard to keep track of what the hell is going on.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I can't think of any sport events on TV I can watch. Basically, if it's interesting or exciting I'd rather be doing it than watching it. If it isn't interesting or exciting then not worth watching on TV.

Yes, that's why I do the timing at Curling events - I love playing it, but to watch? Not so much... So I do things where I actually HAVE to watch and do things instead.

Curling.... Now you're talking excitement!! 🥌

Do not besmirch 'The Roaring Game'! 🤣

Seriously though, there is more to it that it appears (and no, it isn't just 'bowls on ice').

The thing is, if you're approaching from a position of ignorance, all sports are pretty boring. Take soccer, I've watched a few matches, and I'm generally bored because I know hardly anything about it. But loads of people watch it avidly and enjoy it, so I'm not knocking it.

Are there any sports that would appeal to the uninitiated without a fair old dollop of editorial input?

To be fair to golf, Crazy Golf is good. I'd watch that.

Curling - The amount of absolute twaddle I hear about that is... Urgh...

I've never understood why people watch sports generally. especially the Olympics: you'll forget who won within the week, so why waste time watching?

Partly to see sports not normally seen.
I also got tickets for the Paralympics in 2012, purely so I could see what they did about certain things.
I then went to some events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games too, purely so I could say I'd been.

I think seeing these things live is different from on the telly though.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Four! I played for a few years and got almost quite good. I absolutely knackered the average age stats at my club.

As for sport, probably rally for me. Live is all about the atmosphere which is fun but it's hard to keep track of what the hell is going on.

I played for a while, but found it boring and lacking compared to the skill and complexities of Curling.

Bowls is NOT 'Curling On Carpet*' 🤦‍♂️🤣


* - Or grass.