The Inbox

August 22, 2008
Posted on 08/22/2008 in Extras
A pointless Olympic dream

From Kishore Sharma, United States of America

Here is the issue - the Olympics is about performing at the highest level in any particular sporting activity. In cricket this means test matches, though as a compromise 50 over games may suffice (after all we have a highly publicized 50 over World Cup). The problem is that the Olympic schedule may mean that only 20/20 games can be fitted in - even 50 over games may be deemed too long. In my view, an Olympic medal would have no meaning whatsoever if it is obtained on the basis of winning 20 over games. It would not represent anything remotely near the highest and most nuanced level of the sport. It would simply mean producing cricket at, and for, the lowest common denominator and, in my eyes, would be meaningless !

Comments (2)
Posted by: Maamu at August 22, 2008 5:45 PM

It would be like football or tennis where it is sufficient to win n number of games on the trot. Why cant 20/20 cricket be that.. It is much more intense than you think it is.

Posted by: Gerard at August 24, 2008 9:18 AM

Maamu, how many tennis or soccer players would say that an Olympic gold is their ultimate goal in their sport? Wimbledon, Davis Cup and World Cup are far above an Olympic victory, and that's why there is so much opposition to these sports being in the Olympics.

The question that needs to be asked is whether either cricket or the Olympics would benefit from a 50 over competition. It's hard to see any benefit to either.

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