Word from the gymnastics world gives further support to those who believe sports decided by clock or score are preferred to those that are judged. Gymnastics, particularly women's gymnastics, has gone through many iterations of what scores highest. During the Cold War, Russia and East European judges favored balletic movements over acrobatics, leading to East European championships. We then hired some East European coaches and snatched the gold medals back. Then the judges began to favor contortionist moves (think foot placed on top of head) best accomplished by 10 year olds. Girls were nearing retirement age at 18. In recent years it has been the perfect landing. Do five somersaults with three twists, but stumble half a step on the landing and no medal. Now judges seem to be enthralled with the highest risk maneuvers and hang the landing. One imagines that the judges are considering whether landing on your head is a one point or half point deduction.
Go for the foot race, rowing, canoeing, basketball, team handball, etc. every time. A spectator has a better shot at understanding the outcome.
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