So, I tuned into freestyle wrestling tonight, not having seen any since the 2004 games, and immediately had a WTF moment.

Somebody went and fucked this sport up!

The winner is now the best of 3 periods, scores are cleared out at the end of every period, there’s overtime on a period-by-period basis, and well here’s an article on this fucking disaster.

Here’s the kicker: I knew why they did it as soon as I figured out the rule changes. FILA thinks it’ll make the sport more whiz-bangy and actiony and people will start tuning in. You know, the same reason they’ve made every other rule change in the last 20 years. Sure enough, right from the linked article

Wrestling’s world governing body made the changes because it wants to stimulate action. In this Olympic age of beach volleyball and BMX racing, it wants to hold its own as entertainment.

Women’s beach volleyball gets viewers because it’s women with tight bodies in tight outfits. We don’t have much to work with on that front:

Rulon Gardner

And yes, I know Rulon wrestled Greco-Roman and I’m talking about freestyle here. Deal.

You want to attract viewers? Stop fucking with the sport! I honestly don’t think there’s been a single 6 year period in the last 30 years where FILA didn’t jack with the rules.

Knock it off.

Oh, and if they are going to change them again: Just start rolling back the changes. Don’t get creative.

I’d hoped to post regular stuff on the Olympics but haven’t found time thus far. So, here’s a quick update on what I’m paying attention to.

There’s no way that the entire Chinese gymnastics team was actually of age to compete. A blogger has now dug up official state documents on official state websites confirming that. Personally I don’t think there should be any age limits, but they’re there, and the competing nations should adhere to it.

I watched a bit of the swimming events. Michael Phelps is off the fucking chain! There’s not much I can add to what’s already been said.

Track & Field has finally started, so I’ll be paying more attention from here on out. The excitement so far has come from Usain Bolt, setting a world record in both the 100M and 200M, and doing them easily. Absolutely amazing. This guy is going to be chipping away at his own world records for a few years.