(no subject)

I think I've said this before, but I don't think dressage should be an olympic sport anymore. It just feels like it's all about politics and money and very little about sport. I realize the same could be said for gymnastics and figure skating, and I think that's true too- but at least the end performance is still entirely dependant upon the athletes themselves, not half upon on multi-million dollar mounts. It just feels against the spirit of the olympics for me. At least jumping and eventing have more objective components. But I knew months ago that Charlotte and Valegro would win the individual gold. And I think everyone knew when it would be Anky, and if Edward Gal and Totillas were there then they would win. The new half scores seem to be inflating things too. I wonder at what point they will change the scale from 1-10, because with people scoring 90% now they are eventually going to have ties at 100%.
It was still exciting to watch Micheal Phelps this year. It was more exciting because he didn't win every race. Even when he wins- it's because he's the fastest. It's only in the very closest races that it could ever be a judgement call. I didn't feel any anticipation watching the dressage.