Olympicks

An ESPN talk show host asked listeners recently what sports they would like to see in the Olympics. One listener suggested surfing. I have more mundane suggestions:

Baseball. This used to be a demonstration sport. Since there are so many players from Latin America, the Orient, and Australia, I think this is enough of an international sport to merit an Olympic tournament. I’d suggest two divisions:
Group A- US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico.
Group B—Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Teams would play six games in round robin play with the top eight moving on to single-elimination tournament. Major League baseball could either take off a couple of weeks or bring up minor leaguers to fill the gaps left by Olympians.

Golf. This could be a four-day golf tournament similar to the US Open, the Masters, etc. Each country could supply five players to provide team as well as individual competition, in a format similar to the Ryder Cup. There could also be a 16-team national single elimination tournament and a 64 player tournament.

Bowling. I understand this is a very popular sport among some Asian women. This could consist of 5-player teams bowling three games as well as individual three-game competition and single elimination tournaments as well. This could follow the formats of open tournaments held around the US.

Chess. Another international sport. You don’t need to spend millions on special venues. You could have individual and team competitions. Granted, this is one lousy spectator sport, but rewarding people for brains with gold, silver and bronze medals would be welcome, I think.

I submit these sports deserve the same consideration as rhythmic gymnastics, dressage, and synchronized swimming.