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The Olympics -What olympic sporting event is your favourite?

lillatroll
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When was the national anthem first played at a sporting event?

There are several answers to the question about when the national anthem was first played at a sporting event. One is at a Baseball game in 1862 during the American Civil War. Other accounts say it wasn't until the 1890s in America, but another source claimed that it was first sung at a Rugby International between Wales and New Zealand in 1905. Welsh rugby players sang it as a response to the haka.

The Star Spangled banner was not officially adopted as the USA anthem until 1931.

So, which answer is factually correct. America in the 1800s or Wales v New Zealand 1905?
 
gatorcpa
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I think this article explains it best:

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/national-anthems/why-sing-sporting-events/

IMO, the answer to your question is that no one really knows for these reasons:

1. The definition of a “national anthem” is unclear and subject to change in some countries. Would the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to 1931 count? It wasn’t the national anthem then. In fact, there was no official anthem. What about other patriotic songs?

2. Prior to formation of professional leagues, there were no set rules regarding playing of any songs at these games.

3. Amplification systems weren’t invented until around 1915, so you would have needed a decent size band to be heard at a game. I’m sure it was done at important games, but no one recorded it.

gatorcpa
 
texasmade
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I always thought it was dumb to play the NA before every single game for MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, college football, etc. I get playing it for playoffs, championships, and postseason stuff but the NA isn't needed for regular season.
 
Archer
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texasmade texasmade
I always thought it was dumb to play the NA before every single game for MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, college football, etc. I get playing it for playoffs, championships, and postseason stuff but the NA isn't needed for regular season.

I don't mind anthems so much, but why in the US is there some sort of military parade nonsense before every game? WTF does that have to do with sports?
 
gatorcpa
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Archer Archer
WTF does that have to do with sports?
I could answer this, but my answer would likely get this thread locked.

So I won’t.
gatorcpa
 
Dsloan
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Archer Archer
I don't mind anthems so much, but why in the US is there some sort of military parade nonsense before every game? WTF does that have to do with sports?

Marketing for recruitment
 
Ron_W
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Wikipedia is always an entertaining source to help the discussion along ;

List of former national anthems - Wikipedia

And to get back on track ( 😉 ) again @10.00 the Decathlon starts !
These are the true GOATs of T&F, the greatest athletes in the World and they give it their all in 10 events spread out over the next 2 day`s.
 
Archer
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Love some of the memes that have been created...

IMG_9469.jpg
 
Archer
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Felix went down to Alcaraz in men's singles tennis today. He didn't play badly, but Carlos is on fire. Felix had only been broken once throughout the event, and lost this match 6-1, 6-1. 😲

Hopefully he can snag a bronze in the singles, and also with Dabrowski in the mixed doubles!
 
BLOW UP
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track and field starts
chris-pratt-rubbing-hands.gif
 
Peemacgee
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Has anyone noticed the 'used' red Omega boxes that presumably house the electronics attached to the starting blocks.
They're all in an awful state and on some you can see where a larger 'OMEGA' and Omega symbol have been painted over.

Is this something to do with Paris being the greenest Games yet - by using Tokyo's old kit?

They remind me of the red Omega watch boxes that self-destruct 😀
 
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
Has anyone noticed the 'used' red Omega boxes that presumably house the electronics attached to the starting blocks.
They're all in an awful state and on some you can see where a larger 'OMEGA' and Omega symbol have been painted over.

Yes agreed ..Nearly Everything red and boxy with Omega painted on it looks unbelievably shoddy..
Red gloss is always going to show up any imperfections, and there's no excuse for not getting everything symmetrical, also the symbol and name format and scale don't look great.

Just comparing to F1 or Wimbledon that's just gone, even though I think the blown-up Oyster Style clocks look naff, Rolex as time sponsors do a significantly better job, always crisp always pristine looking.

Omegas' branding/sponsorship team should be hung drawn and quartered, as it's doing the exact opposite of what they intend.
::facepalm1::
 
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Always great to see and hear Michael Johnson at every Olympics and World championships, he's such a great pundit/commentator
..one of my all-time favourite athletes
LfGfaO.gif
 
lillatroll
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Watching the cycling road race. 43 km to go and it's shaping up to be a fantastic finish.

Seen lots of great sports, trampoline, the archery has been fantastic to watch, and a bit of street basketball thrown into the mix.

So many events that are surprisingly viewer friendly. It's a shame that they don't get more TV time.
 
Dsloan
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Can't believe this guy's heart rate was only 81 in the middle of a shoot off.

PXL_20240803_010110455.jpg
 
Peemacgee
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What a cycle race!

great views of the countryside around Paris and of Paris itself.

And the crowds!!

Superb cycling and drama in the last few kilometres and French silver in the end.

It had it all.

utterly brilliant!
 
arturo7
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The Men's Decathlon pole vault event was fun to watch yesterday. The crowd was into it. The athletes looked like there were having a blast.
 
Peemacgee
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Well now, what an afternoon for Olympic sports fans.

First of all the men’s tennis, Djokovic now has a full set of titles to his name.

Then the men’s golf, Scheffler, the World No1 proved just why he has that moniker.

and finally , so far today, the women’s bike race.
Fabulous finish to the bike race and big congratulations to Faulkner who rode an absolute blinder leaving the more ‘fashionable’ riders in her wake - who were left fighting it out for the silver and bronze medals with a photo finish.
 
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Looks like Mark Foster (swimmer) pundit is wearing a very attractive dark navy Omega, could it be some kind of special edition Seamaster Diver 300m Chronograph??
Anyone?
 
Walrus
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Well Olympic boxing has some crazy things going on. Might be gone next olympics. Swimming all fubar what is wrong with the world why is the world anti doping agency covering up. I am done with the olympics I am sure they will miss me.
 
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