Should unicycing be in the olimpics?

[thejdw]

Do you think unicycling should be in the olimpics?:confused:

[frogger]

Yes it should!

[ThisGuyIKnow]

So should spelling.

[thejdw]

So should spelling.
So should being nice to other people other than your self;)

[UniBrier]

Unicycling has been in the Olympics, at least the Olympic Mountains (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41971).

I think I'll start a poll whether unicycling topics should be in Just Conversation.

[onewheelinwierdo]

The best thing that could happen to the olympics is if they replaced al the figure skating with unicycling (No, not on ice:p).

[ThisGuyIKnow]

So should being nice to other people other than your self;)

This posts should be filed with the department of redundancy department.

[cathwood]

It may be a controvertial and unpopular point of view, but one of the things that I like about unicycling is that it is different and a minority sport and that we're a relatively small community (sorry that's 3 things). I don't want it to get really popular and I don't want it to get mainstream.

[Monocyclist]

It may be a controvertial and unpopular point of view, but one of the things that I like about unicycling is that it is different and a minority sport and that we're a relatively small community (sorry that's 3 things). I don't want it to get really popular and I don't want it to get mainstream.

I completely agree. I'd probably lose half of my motivation to ride. Half of the fun of unicycling is the looks I get from people, and I don't uni just to be a part of a group, as many many skateboarders do.

[ice_cold_uni6]

no, unicycling ought to be in the OLYMPICS

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Well it's not even eligible yet, so it'll be awhile.

[ntappin]

Unicycling has been in the Olympics, at least the Olympic Mountains (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41971).

I think I'll start a poll whether unicycling topics should be in Just Conversation.

I would much rather it here than clogging up the search function in RSU.

I said no because I don't think that it is truly an international sport and very few people are at an olympic caliber. Therefore it wouldn't be fair to have it in the already crowded olympics.

[thejdw]

I completely agree. I'd probably lose half of my motivation to ride. Half of the fun of unicycling is the looks I get from people, and I don't uni just to be a part of a group, as many many skateboarders do.
In tresting points of view and yes the looks are priceless:D

[phlegm]

The Olympics are for sports, not circus skills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Circus_skills). ;)

[frogger]

So should being nice to other people other than your self;)
yes:D

[JJuggle]

It may be a controvertial and unpopular point of view, but one of the things that I like about unicycling is that it is different and a minority sport and that we're a relatively small community (sorry that's 3 things). I don't want it to get really popular and I don't want it to get mainstream.
I don't think we should worry one way or the other. How many people do you know who've run out and taken up synchronized swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, curling, or the narration of melodramatic life stories as a result of watching the Olympics?

I personally think if unicycling were to qualify for inclusion as an Olympic sport, someone should see to it that it makes it in. But, I don't think it would be regarded by the viewers as anything more than another freaky non-sport someone managed to sneak in. And I'd hate to hear what Bob Costas or that smarmy putz (I can picture his face, but not come up with his name) who does the sappy wrap up at the end of each day - on American TV that is - would have to say about it.

[johnfoss]

I said no because I don't think that it is truly an international sport and very few people are at an olympic caliber.
What would you require for unicycling to be an international sport? Did you know there were riders from 26 countries at the last Unicon? And many of those riders are certainly of Olympic caliber. Were the sport Olympic there would be many more, as there would be more resources available to help people train.

[johnfoss]

The Olympics are for sports, not circus skills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Circus_skills). ;)
Like trampoline? A legitemate gymnastics discipline, trace the history of the trampoline and you'll find yourself at the circus again...

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Did you know there were riders from 26 countries at the last Unicon?

Doesn't men's summer olympic eligiblity require something like participation from 75 countries?

We still have a ways to go. Someone needs to donate a bunch of unicycles to Africa and South America to get more countries on board.

[Brian MacKenzie]

This posts should be filed with the department of redundancy department.

Did I ever LOL out loud when I read this. good job :D

[skrobo]

I don't think we should worry one way or the other. How many people do you know who've run out and taken up synchronized swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, curling, or the narration of melodramatic life stories as a result of watching the Olympics?

how many people have started unicycling because of Kris Holm on TV?
quite a few :)

but my view is NO it should not be in the olympics, BMX isn't even there(that I know of), or road bike racing, and both of those are much more popular than unicycling

[onewheelinwierdo]

OK, OK. I changed my mind. Unicycling shouldn't be in the Olympics because then it wouldn't be anything special anymore. I guess we'll just have to find something else to replace Figure skating!:p

[treepotato]

I completely agree. I'd probably lose half of my motivation to ride. Half of the fun of unicycling is the looks I get from people, and I don't uni just to be a part of a group, as many many skateboarders do.

me too, its a really friendy sport, i feel too that having it in the olympics would mean i would loose its friendlyness and welcoming and supportive community, please don't slate me for saying this

[JJtheunicycle]

it should be in the X games

[Chrashing]

Yes, Unicycling deserves to be in the Olympics. It's a sport which demonstrates high skill as much if not more than many of those other sports.

But for me, I like unicycling being as unique as it is. So I'm kinda glad it hasn't made it to the Olympics.

[Spencer Hochberg]

I voted "I don't care". I guess it would be cool to get publicity but it doesn't effect me much.

[Eroick]

Bridge is being considered as a sport in the olympics. Yes, bridge. The card game. No, im not joking. A card game. Yes, in the olympics. Bridge. Do you get the point?

I think that if bridge is in the olympics, unicycling should have been in there long ago.

[vuniw]

yea because theres all different events and whatnot that could happen. it would be insane:cool:

[timbob1907]

It would be cool in the X games. and freestyle could definitally be in the olympics.

[harper]

Polls are useless and annoying. (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53871) They should be in the olympics (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53755&highlight=post) except for the much less clever ones.

[BillyTheMountain]

Bridge is being considered as a sport in the olympics. Yes, bridge. The card game. No, im not joking. A card game. Yes, in the olympics. Bridge. Do you get the point?

I think that if bridge is in the olympics, unicycling should have been in there long ago.

And why not?!

Add dominoes and tiddly-winks, while you're at it.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

And why not?!

Add dominoes and tiddly-winks, while you're at it.

Again until we have competitors from 75 countries showing up for Unicons, we really don't even need to be having this discussion. But since women's events only require participation by 40 countries maybe we can get it in as a women's sport before too long.

Winter Olympics only require 25 countries since a huge part of the world doens't have snow or ice rinks.

Come up with a good snow or ice uni event and maybe we have a shot.

[wobbling bear]

NO!
I like the amateurish aspects of unicycling ... alas national anthems, sponsorships, etc .... may creep into our sport....
I just hope that will stay marginal (though I hope more and more people wil practice -specially the old geezers and geezeresses-)

[thejdw]

how many people have started unicycling because of Kris Holm on TV?
quite a few :)

but my view is NO it should not be in the olympics, BMX isn't even there(that I know of), or road bike racing, and both of those are much more popular than unicycling
I started Uni coz it was there!:) Wait... that give me an idea for a poll!:D

[thejdw]

The Olympics are for sports, not circus skills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Circus_skills). ;)
It's only a circus skill when your doing it inside a circus otherwise it is an extreme sport!:cool:

[johnfoss]

Again until we have competitors from 75 countries showing up for Unicons, we really don't even need to be having this discussion.
Actually, assuming there is really a 75-country requirement, 75 countries don't just need to send riders, they need to have national unicycling organizations, recognized by the IOC. That's a lot more involved. It might not be 75 we need, but it's certainly a lot more than currently exist.

But the IUF does need to have this discussion, as long as it has the Olympics as one of its stated goals.

I like the amateurish aspects of unicycling ... alas national anthems, sponsorships, etc .... may creep into our sport....
Yes, anthems crept in at Unicon XIII, at the choice of the hosts, and there were protests (from France!). Some thought it was too nationalist. Part of me agrees with that, while the other part wants to see us recognized as an international sport. One of my original reasons for wanting unicycling to be an Olympic sport was in hope of being in the Olympics someday. That hope no longer exists for me, but it could for future riders. People who wouldn't be on an Olympic team don't need to be concerned about it. Unicycling will continue to grow, as it is starting to become more of a business, and people are starting to make a living from it. This will keep the rider population growing regardless of Olympics.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

Q: How does a new sport, discipline or event get added to the Olympic program?
A: First, the respective sport's IF must be recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a federation operated and organized under the principles and regulations of the IOC. Second, for a new sport to be considered for the Olympic program, the IF must present proof that the sport is widely practiced (i.e., national championships, regional competitions such as the Pan Am Games, world championships and other international competitions are held on a regular basis). Starting in the year 2000, for those sports seeking inclusion or currently on the summer Olympic program, sports for men must be played in at least 75 countries on four continents before being considered for inclusion on the Olympic program and, for women, the sport must be contested in at least 40 countries and on three continents. Any new sport must be admitted to the Olympic program at least seven years before the next Olympic Games and, with a few rare exceptions, no changes are permitted after that time. The standards for admission of disciplines or events to the Olympic program are very similar to those for a sport.

Source (http://www.usolympicteam.com/19116_18922.htm)

[Mikefule]

"Should"? That implies that there is a right or wrong answer, and that my opinion matters. I'm not sure that either is the case with the international money-spinning circus that the Olympics have become.

The spirit of the Olympics "should" be the simply physical competition of running, swimming, throwing, jumping, and "manly" sports of boxing, wrestling, riding and the like. The early Greek games were purely for sports that tested the fitness of the individual as a warrior.

There is an extenisve description of some Greek games in The Iliad, and it is both interesting and exciting. In addition to the throwing, fighting and running, they had chariot racing.

Fast forward 2,800 years, and the Olympian ideal has been somewhat blurred by the inclusion of team sports like football, and display sports like ice dance or synchro swimming.

I suggest that as unicycling is the purest form of cycling, and tests the strength, fitness, balance, skill and determination of the rider, it is more in keeping with the original Olympian ideal than some of these dodgy modern sports. But I'd say unicycling on the track, or cross country, not freestyle or trials. My only argument in favour of this opinion is prejudice; that's not a good argument, but it is widely used.

[Andy912912]

WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE??? We have our OWN Olympics, and they go by the name of...UNICON! So, what are you complaining about? If you have the extreme blessing/advantage of having a unicycling friend, or better yet, sibling, then maybe you can replicate the Olympics. Get all the rust off your cheapest uni and do UNICYCLE DIVING. While you're at it, swim a bit. Do UNICYCLE RELAY. Replace ice skating with JAPANESE FREESTYLE. Have a HIGH HOP COMPETITION. Do STUNTS. COMBINE UNI-ING WITH OTHER EXTREME SPORTS. Before that have an AIRSEAT CONVERSION COMPETITION. Break the same old unicycle apart and see who can rebuild it faster.

MORAL:(was it that?) We don't have the Unicycle Olympics like that because we don't (mostly you, I ) want to. I think riding a unicycle represents your personality, now you're confident, have higher self esteem, are perseverant, balanced...and are DIFFERENT.

P.S. Please don't stone me to death for excesive(sp?) caps lock use and stupidity!!! Thank you...I think. :confused:

[johnfoss]

We have our OWN Olympics, and they go by the name of...UNICON!
Unicon isn't on TV. Unicons are cool, but they are only steps on the IUF's road to the Olympics. Maybe.

[tomtrevor]

i think that freestyle unicycling should be in the olympics, its a lot like figure skating but on one wheel. Street and Trials unicycling should be in th X-Games because its sort of like skateboarding/trials biking (even though im pretty sure bike trials isnt in the X-Games). Then muni should be somewhere else, just like mountain biking.

[thejdw]

WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE??? We have our OWN Olympics, and they go by the name of...UNICON! So, what are you complaining about? If you have the extreme blessing/advantage of having a unicycling friend, or better yet, sibling, then maybe you can replicate the Olympics. Get all the rust off your cheapest uni and do UNICYCLE DIVING. While you're at it, swim a bit. Do UNICYCLE RELAY. Replace ice skating with JAPANESE FREESTYLE. Have a HIGH HOP COMPETITION. Do STUNTS. COMBINE UNI-ING WITH OTHER EXTREME SPORTS. Before that have an AIRSEAT CONVERSION COMPETITION. Break the same old unicycle apart and see who can rebuild it faster.

MORAL:(was it that?) We don't have the Unicycle Olympics like that because we don't (mostly you, I ) want to. I think riding a unicycle represents your personality, now you're confident, have higher self esteem, are perseverant, balanced...and are DIFFERENT.

P.S. Please don't stone me to death for excesive(sp?) caps lock use and stupidity!!! Thank you...I think. :confused:

How do you get into unicons do you just turn up or do you have to be a member of somthing?:confused:

[thejdw]

How do you get into unicons do you just turn up or do you have to be a member of somthing?:confused:
can anyone aswer my question?

[Andy912912]

I'm not sure, but I think you have to be a member of a unicycle club and/or the USA(Unicycling Society) or IUF.

[wobbling bear]

and there were protests (from France!).
in fact the original protests originated from another country, but France jumped on the bandwagon. Since we invented "chauvinism" there is now a strong streak of anti-chauvinism in France : some tend to transfer this to some abstract entity named "Europe", others prefer "World" :p

[johnfoss]

How do you get into unicons do you just turn up or do you have to be a member of somthing?:confused:
1. Pay registration fee and fill out forms
2. Show up.

[Andy912912]

Unicon isn't on TV. Unicons are cool, but they are only steps on the IUF's road to the Olympics. Maybe.

It's on the Internet. :D But it being on TV and/or the Olympics would ruin the fun.

Street and Trials unicycling should be in th X-Games because its sort of like skateboarding/trials biking (even though im pretty sure bike trials isnt in the X-Games). Then muni should be somewhere else, just like mountain biking.

If it were in the X-games... I think that's what we(I) are(am) against...come on, the unicyclist community is a tight knit community, but it being on the X-games will loosen up the knots, but I'd mostly just like people to not say it's a circus skill or for clowns.

[thejdw]

1. Pay registration fee and fill out forms
2. Show up.
were you get the forms?:confused:

[Andy912912]

I think you print them out(from PDF format) and send it to them. But I'm not sure, I've never been to a UNICON.