iris123 20,996 Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) Swimming, I repeat swimming (no disrespect to swimmers out there), has an organised, neutral governance. Phelps front page headlines. Speedway, a far more exciting and in my opinion sellable sport, Darcy who? Highlights why we are where we are to me. Not really.One reason and one reason only why swimmers and other sportmen and women are household names and that is because their relatively poorly attended sports are part of the Olympics.These sports disappear from view for 3.5 years and most people would have no idea who the new stars are until the Olympics start again Edited October 7, 2014 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phlipphlopp 3,913 Posted October 7, 2014 Not really.One reason and one reason only why swimmers and other sportmen and women are household names and that is because their relatively poorly attended sports are part of the Olympics.These sports disappear from view for 3.5 years and most people would have no idea who the new stars are until the Olympics start again Although i'm gutted to agree , how many people apart from the Olympics can say they have watched a serious swimming event ? I'd guess speedway worldwide pulls a greater number of spectators each year , many , many times over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted October 7, 2014 Not really.One reason and one reason only why swimmers and other sportmen and women are household names and that is because their relatively poorly attended sports are part of the Olympics.These sports disappear from view for 3.5 years and most people would have no idea who the new stars are until the Olympics start again Not altogether accurate. World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games are also watched in far bigger numbers than speedway (obviously due to BBC coverage). There's major swimming events every year, so its never out of the public eye for 3.5 years at a time. Swimming is also something the public can easily identify with.. how many take part in competitive swimming events up and down the country compared to speedway? That's without even going into the 'leisure' side of it. Although i'm gutted to agree , how many people apart from the Olympics can say they have watched a serious swimming event ? I'd guess speedway worldwide pulls a greater number of spectators each year , many , many times over. And swimming pulls in a greater number of tv viewers many, many, many, many more times over. A lot more people will have watched a serious swimming event on tv NOT including the Olympics than have even heard of Tai Woffinden. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phlipphlopp 3,913 Posted October 7, 2014 Not altogether accurate. World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games are also watched in far bigger numbers than speedway (obviously due to BBC coverage). There's major swimming events every year, so its never out of the public eye for 3.5 years at a time. Swimming is also something the public can easily identify with.. how many take part in competitive swimming events up and down the country compared to speedway? That's without even going into the 'leisure' side of it. And swimming pulls in a greater number of tv viewers many, many, many, many more times over. A lot more people will have watched a serious swimming event on tv NOT including the Olympics than have even heard of Tai Woffinden. And without TV ? Speedway wins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodgy 976 Posted October 7, 2014 And without TV ? Speedway wins. Irrelevant, TV is and has always been there. Get the headlines and gain the attention. It's what you do with it that counts. Speedway is far from winning on that front. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted October 7, 2014 And without TV ? Speedway wins. No it doesn't, I doubt it's even close. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ghostwalker 1,859 Posted October 8, 2014 Not really.One reason and one reason only why swimmers and other sportmen and women are household names and that is because their relatively poorly attended sports are part of the Olympics.These sports disappear from view for 3.5 years and most people would have no idea who the new stars are until the Olympics start again I have to disagree with that. At least in Sweden, swimming gets pretty good coverage between the Olympics. The various championships are usually aired live on tv.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,637 Posted October 8, 2014 Has Darcy failed a swimming test now?? If so, I blame the chlorine!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Has Darcy failed a swimming test now?? If so, I blame the chlorine!! How was he taking it? :rofl: Edited October 8, 2014 by The White Knight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,996 Posted October 8, 2014 I have to disagree with that. At least in Sweden, swimming gets pretty good coverage between the Olympics. The various championships are usually aired live on tv.. I am not convinced just because something is on tv.Most of the time they just seem to be fillers not really on at prime time.Wouldn't be surprised if over the year speedway has more people watching it on tv and certainly more people attending professional meetings in GB and even Sweden(although that is a big guess).The results etc hardly ever make it into the newspapers or not that i have noticed and i reckon you have as much chance on the streets to find someone who knows a reigning European swimming champ as you would have of finding someone who knows the reigning European speedway champ and that goes for athletics as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derwent 271 Posted October 8, 2014 Has Darcy failed a swimming test now?? Yeah, he forgot his pyjamas so couldn't do that "dive in and pick the rubber brick up from the bottom of the pool" thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,996 Posted October 8, 2014 Despite a couple of previous posts,i want to state categorically that i am not anti-pool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted October 8, 2014 I am not convinced just because something is on tv.Most of the time they just seem to be fillers not really on at prime time.Wouldn't be surprised if over the year speedway has more people watching it on tv and certainly more people attending professional meetings in GB and even Sweden(although that is a big guess).The results etc hardly ever make it into the newspapers or not that i have noticed and i reckon you have as much chance on the streets to find someone who knows a reigning European swimming champ as you would have of finding someone who knows the reigning European speedway champ and that goes for athletics as well Come on now Iris, it's bad enough using Swimming, but to bring Athletics into the mix is bordering on the insane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,996 Posted October 8, 2014 Come on now Iris, it's bad enough using Swimming, but to bring Athletics into the mix is bordering on the insane. I used to go to the Crystal Palace meetings,so know how poorly attended they were and that was once or twice a season.Wimbledon speedway would knock spots of of those figures in a month or so Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted October 8, 2014 Has Darcy failed a swimming test now?? If so, I blame the chlorine!! I think someone is taking the piss now. Probably Darcy from the top of the diving board Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
