David EdwardsESPN Hasn’t Looked Hard Enough For ‘Must See’ Sporting Events
June 26th 2007 13:28
On the American’s ESPN website, a fantastic writer has peened an article ‘101 things all sports fans must experience before they die’. In it the writer Jim Caple has trawled the globe for what is a must see for anyone that claims to be a sporting fan.
With a true aspect on the major events that occur on a annual basis, Caple has by far delved into what is the biggest and best events that anyone with a true passion for sports must experience, and with the first American only event coming in number four (the World Series), he has really pinpointed how much of a global experience any sporting event can deliver.
However, i feel like i must defend the southern hemisphere and the apparent lack of sporting events that we hold here, particularly what us as sporting fans love to experience. Both Australia and New Zealand were able to claim a mention, but it seems the island nation has finally be given a bigger light in front of the USA. Spot number 55 went to watching an All Black rugby game in New Zealand, with a specific mention to the hakea (a valid response, and indeed something that every sporting fan has to watch live). But what was Australia’s entry? It came in at number 76... and was the swimming championships.
I’m sorry, but this is where i have a problem. True the championships are a huge event, and as i quote Caple “And if you think Cubs fans have fun in the bleachers, just wait until you experience thousands of Australians singing Men at Work’s ‘Down Under.’” But for why else to experience is where i begin to draw question marks.
Caple also comments that the sport is a national pastime in Australia (which is in fact true, as it is the one of the highest competiting sports in our nation), but also makes the comments that ‘Swimmer are like rock stars in Australia.’ I don’t know where i have been, but i cannot remember Hackett, Henry, Hansen and co being mobbed at the airport when they returned with another swag of golden medals. In fact swimmers are treated with a lot of scrutiny and constant media coverage, like every other major sportman/woman in Australia.
The Swimming Championships are a fantastic view, but I for one (and from the looks of the ticket sales in Melbourne this year, many other supporters) do not see the absolute obsession of attending.
The AFL ANZAC Day match against Essendon and Collingwood, the NRL State of Origin, the Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG, the Bathurst 1000, the Rip Curl Pro, all these events should be up there and considered a ‘must experience’. For the atmosphere, the excitement, the contests, and for many of these events the constant rivalry that exists. Even if you don’t follow the sport, watching the ANZAC Day match in front of 100,000 or standing at the top of the mountain as Bathurst winds down is something that you will remember for the rest of your life.
So the question emerges is why is the swimming championship at number 76? The answer is simple; it’s not because Australian swimmers are treated by rock stars down here, but because the American sporting public actually know who they are. Of all the sporting contests Australia competes, it is in swimming where Australia and American are considered to be the best of the world, and their rivalry is hard to beat (just think of the ‘smash them like guitars’ saga). Drop the name James Hird, Darren Lockyer, or even the late great Peter Brock and you will get nothing but stares by the Americans, but for all the fans who watched the Athens Olympics and the ‘Race of the Century’, the name of Ian Thorpe will be forever itched into their brains.
Overall, the list is indeed something that most if not all fans must experience. And even if the majority of the events are US based, you have to admit that when it comes to putting on a sport spectacle, America are by and far the frontrunners around the globe. I just ask next time when they compile the must see list, how about a bit of consideration for what is truly the great Australian sporting event? Something that if you live in the land Down Under, you must beg, borrow or steal to get a chance of getting an experience.
Until next time, sports minds
Click here to view and consider what are the 101 Must See Sporting Events, click here.
101 'Must See' Sporting Events
With a true aspect on the major events that occur on a annual basis, Caple has by far delved into what is the biggest and best events that anyone with a true passion for sports must experience, and with the first American only event coming in number four (the World Series), he has really pinpointed how much of a global experience any sporting event can deliver.
However, i feel like i must defend the southern hemisphere and the apparent lack of sporting events that we hold here, particularly what us as sporting fans love to experience. Both Australia and New Zealand were able to claim a mention, but it seems the island nation has finally be given a bigger light in front of the USA. Spot number 55 went to watching an All Black rugby game in New Zealand, with a specific mention to the hakea (a valid response, and indeed something that every sporting fan has to watch live). But what was Australia’s entry? It came in at number 76... and was the swimming championships.
I’m sorry, but this is where i have a problem. True the championships are a huge event, and as i quote Caple “And if you think Cubs fans have fun in the bleachers, just wait until you experience thousands of Australians singing Men at Work’s ‘Down Under.’” But for why else to experience is where i begin to draw question marks.
Caple also comments that the sport is a national pastime in Australia (which is in fact true, as it is the one of the highest competiting sports in our nation), but also makes the comments that ‘Swimmer are like rock stars in Australia.’ I don’t know where i have been, but i cannot remember Hackett, Henry, Hansen and co being mobbed at the airport when they returned with another swag of golden medals. In fact swimmers are treated with a lot of scrutiny and constant media coverage, like every other major sportman/woman in Australia.
The Swimming Championships are a fantastic view, but I for one (and from the looks of the ticket sales in Melbourne this year, many other supporters) do not see the absolute obsession of attending.
The AFL ANZAC Day match against Essendon and Collingwood, the NRL State of Origin, the Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG, the Bathurst 1000, the Rip Curl Pro, all these events should be up there and considered a ‘must experience’. For the atmosphere, the excitement, the contests, and for many of these events the constant rivalry that exists. Even if you don’t follow the sport, watching the ANZAC Day match in front of 100,000 or standing at the top of the mountain as Bathurst winds down is something that you will remember for the rest of your life.
So the question emerges is why is the swimming championship at number 76? The answer is simple; it’s not because Australian swimmers are treated by rock stars down here, but because the American sporting public actually know who they are. Of all the sporting contests Australia competes, it is in swimming where Australia and American are considered to be the best of the world, and their rivalry is hard to beat (just think of the ‘smash them like guitars’ saga). Drop the name James Hird, Darren Lockyer, or even the late great Peter Brock and you will get nothing but stares by the Americans, but for all the fans who watched the Athens Olympics and the ‘Race of the Century’, the name of Ian Thorpe will be forever itched into their brains.
Overall, the list is indeed something that most if not all fans must experience. And even if the majority of the events are US based, you have to admit that when it comes to putting on a sport spectacle, America are by and far the frontrunners around the globe. I just ask next time when they compile the must see list, how about a bit of consideration for what is truly the great Australian sporting event? Something that if you live in the land Down Under, you must beg, borrow or steal to get a chance of getting an experience.
Until next time, sports minds
Click here to view and consider what are the 101 Must See Sporting Events, click here.
101 'Must See' Sporting Events
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