Topping out at about 5'10" (generously) and with a vertical leap somewhere around 3 ants high, one wonders why I would devote an entire post to volleyball. This question becomes even more profound when you consider that as soon as swimming ended, I went to an every other day schedule, thereby limiting the wit and wisdom you so eagerly await from me. There are three reasons. First volleyball is really cool. Second, my Volleyball Insider/Information Specialist is actually an insider, so we want to take advantage of the few real resources we have. Third, volleyball lends itself to greater themes, so I can write about volleyball, but really talk about other things. So, today, volleyball.
The biggest mistake I have made with this is waiting. The every other day schedule hurt things a little, but basically, I just delayed. By delaying, I am getting to this after the US has failed to win a gold medal in volleyball for the first time since 1992. Yesterday I watched the Men's Indoor team blow the chance to make the gold medal game, just one day after watching the Women's Indoor team do the same thing. A couple days ago I watched Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross win a bronze medal a couple days after watching the last of the other Americans get knocked out of Beach Volleyball without a medal. This was not our most successful Olympics.
Regardless, volleyball is my second favorite Olympic sport to watch. I like Indoor and Beach and have yet to answer my own question about which I like better. The Indoor provides power and speed. I love the quick sets, which women seem to do more than men, at least by my limited amateur eye. Beach volleyball provides athleticism and atmosphere. The atmosphere for Beach Volleyball matches that of even the soccer games. There are many reasons Beach Volleyball has become a premiere sport during the Olympics and the four Olympic run by Kerri Walsh Jennings is only one of them.
I checked with my Volleyball Insider/Information Specialist about my perception that Indoor requires more skill and Beach requires more athleticism. He told me I was correct. An Indoor player can be great at one skill and contribute. A Beach player needs to be able to do it all. Anyone who watches a decent amount of each can figure that out, but it was nice to get confirmation. Of course, you notice something else when you watch a lot of volleyball. The men dress like athletes. The women, well, not quite as much.
It is safe to say that the people in charge of Volleyball have bought in completely to the saying, "Sex Sells!" If you do an internet search to determine the rules for women's clothing in the Beach Volleyball competition, you will learn three things. First, the rules changed in 2012 to allow women to dress more modestly. Prior to 2012, women had to wear a two piece suit. In 2012, the rules changed to allow women to wear shorts, pants, shirts or one piece suits. Second, the women generally want to wear the two piece suits. At least that's what they say. I guess if they have the option, we have to believe them. Third, the only rule about the two piece suit I could find is that the fabric on the hip can be a MAXIMUM width of 6 centimeters. I guess that is progress. You only have to wear skimpy clothes if you choose a particular outfit.
The Indoor game isn't much better. The shorts that Indoor Volleyball players wear look like something you can get from a Victoria's Secret catalogue. They barely cover the whole butt and if you look closely, you can tell what style of underwear the women are wearing...I am told. Someone told me that. I haven't checked. Really. I swear.
Men wear shirts and shorts. That's it.
I am, of course, part of the problem. I love women volleyball players, whether they are wearing skimpy bikinis, tiny little shorts or stretchy pants. I think I prefer the stretchy pants. I have also written a blog for two weeks and provided you with more commentary about whether the bathing suits on divers and synchronized swimmers cover the butt than I have interesting tidbits you didn't already know. (Related side note - it appears the platform divers wear suits with more coverage than the springboard divers.) I love them for more than their outfits. I love the athleticism, the skill and the dances by the US Indoor team. The skimpy bikinis, boy shorts and stretchy pants are simply a bonus. As are bathing suits that don't cover the butt. To make matters worse, as I watched the bronze medal match today, I had the thought that if one were inclined to make a "Volleyball Women of the 2016 Olympics," Calendar, you could fill all 12 months with players from this match. Yeah, I'm part of the problem.
This year, the issue of sexual equality found a new story. "Let Iranian Women Enter Their Stadiums." Is that a political message? An Iranian woman named Darya Safai attended Olympic Volleyball matches holding a sign that said, "Let Iranian Women Enter Their Stadiums." She was asked to leave because the Olympics bans political statements. Iranian women are legally not allowed to attend volleyball games. A group called Open Stadiums is pushing to remove the ban on women at volleyball games. The chairwoman of USA Volleyball Lori Okimura brought her “Let Iranian Women Enter Their Stadiums” T-shirt to Brazil, in support of the group.
Is this a political statement? If you think sexual equality is political I guess so. Safai insists it is a statement of human rights and equality. I understand why the IOC doesn't allow political statements. You don't want politics to get in the way of the competition. They don't want politics to get in the way of the money train. However, human rights and equality aren't exactly political. The IOC could do a little more in that area. Letting Safai stay at the volleyball game with her sign was a small step in the right direction. A small step.
Volleyball does offer something for everyone. Skill, power, athleticism, beaches, stadiums, teams, duos, dancing teammates, human rights, the chance for deep discussions, the chance for great bar arguments (beach v. indoor - discuss some more) and attractive women in tight, skimpy outfits. Yeah, I am part of the problem.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Women's Triathlon. Today, Gwen Jorgensen won gold in the Women's Triathlon. Jorgensen was the overwhelming favorite coming in to these Olympics. During one stretch from 2014-2015, she won 13 straight races, which is unheard of. Even crazier, upon graduating from college, she started working for Ernst & Young as an accountant. She started triathlons because US Triathlon called her and suggested she try, because she had been a strong swimmer and runner at the University of Wisconsin. She tried it out, but kept her job at Ernst & Young for a while, before turning to triathlons full time. In 2012, she had a flat tire and finished 38th. With all the pressure of a heavy favorite, she swam, rode and ran a great race, pulling away in the last 2 kilometer to win gold. Seems like quitting her job was a good call.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports
and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
Two days, because I took yesterday off, and I have learned that a day off makes me forget a ton.
1. It appears the way to protest a foul in shot put is to scream "PROTEST! PROTEST!" at the guy holding the red flag. It also appears that screaming during and after the throw greatly improves your performance. Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs went gold, silver for the US.
2. NEYMAR!! Gold for Brazil in Men's soccer. First ever gold for Brazil. Who knew?
3. I am still loving the BMX competition.
4. Very disappointed with the Modern Pentathlon. TV coverage only showed about 20 minutes and the run course was far less interesting than in London.
5. I am a bitter American. I was rooting for Germany in the Women's Soccer Gold Medal game just because Sweden knocked us out. At least I was rooting for a winner.
6. I still need to see some sailing.
7. As the youngest of three boys, I felt for Jonny Brownlee, as he had to watch his older brother literally walk backwards in celebration before crossing the finish line in the Men's Triathlon. Jonny did win silver, so I am sure that softened the blow, but why do older brothers have to be so obnoxious?
8. US Women's Water Polo - dominant.
9. Hey Ato Boldon, don't call Usain Bolt one of the greatest sprinters of all time. He is THE greatest.
10. Loved seeing Alyson Felix win another gold medal.
Predictions Sum Up -
1. US Women's Water Polo - gold. Yup
2. US Women's Basketball - gold Yup
3. US Men's Basketball - gold. Pending
4. US Men's Volleyball - gold (They are on a mission.) WRONG!
5. US Women's Volleyball - bronze. Yup
6. Ashton Eaton wins gold in Decathlon (starts tomorrow, I have to get this in before it starts). Yup
7. Bolt - Gold. Yup
8. Lexi Thompson gets silver in golf. WRONG!
Predictions -
1. No US Medals in Men's Marathon.
2. Double gold for US in 4 x 400 Relays.
3. Matthew Centrowitz bronze in 1500. I am a little behind so I already know what happened. WOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!!!
What to Watch for
1. You Are Beautiful, Part 2. Hmm, I really am part of the problem, aren't I?
2. Men's Marathon.
3. Closing Ceremonies.
4. My final 2016 Olympics Post. Favorite Moments and awards.
5. Vacation planning.
6. The end of the Olympics so you can stop following Rule #1, which I know you have all been following.
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