Colorado Springs, CO: To help concentrate its competitive and marketing energies more precisely for future Olympic competitions, the USOC will eliminate nearly all sports from its ranks in favor of focusing more heavily on the following events:
- Swimming: 400 IM
- Track and Field: 100M
- Gymnastics: Balance Beam (women)
- Basketball: Men
Noting that recently televised Olympic trials competitions have had pathetic TV ratings (of course, track and field is being shown between 11pm and 1am on the east coast) and that most Americanscan't sit still for more than 3 minutes at a stretch, the USOC will narrow its portfolio to three specific events it feels are "draws" plus one that is always a joy...the US Men's "Dream Team" for basketball.
"If only Michael Phelps could fence, sail or wrestle", said USOC spokesperson Mitch Desmond. "Then we'd be able to keep these events and populate them with other US athletes." Indeed, the USOC feels that there are about 3 amateur athletes that viewers can actually remember and be interested in, notwithstanding an occasional interest in beach volleyball.
Athletes in "lesser" sports that will be eliminated were said to be exploring dual citizenship or defection in order to ensure their ability to compete in Olympic games going forward.
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