Are 9 and 10 really on tv? On my first date with a woman, she told me that rattlesnake wrangling was one of her part time jobs in college. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. 6 weeks later, when she needed help moving a dead (human) body, I knew that I would marry her. It's been 6 happy years since our wedding.

6 - I totally agree. Absolutely don't get the appeal. I've heard it can actually be pretty interesting to go to a major tournament and watch it live. But while I enjoy playing the odd round, I can't imagine watching other people do it on tv.

5 - Wait 5 minutes. It'll be gone.

3 - a) I don't like the idea that a sport should only appeal if Americans are doing well. b) It's not really various foreign nations dominating it. It's mostly boats full of New Zealanders flying flags of various countries that the sailors (and sometimes the money) have nothing to do with.

2 - During the last Olympics (my first with tivo) I watched a bit of that for the first time. Very impressive skill. Interesting for about 10 minutes. I have a friend who has gone to the last 3 Olympics as a spectator - he always goes to all the shooting competitions because he is there as a guest of one of his clients, who is an IOC member representing the shooting sports. He told me the other week that it is one of the least likely sports to be dropped. Even though it has limited appeal, it is supported by very wealthy people - Saudi princes and the like.

1 - Probably got started for the same reason modern pentathlon did...as some sort of war exercise (MP is meant to simulate a POW escape) or maybe winter hunting exercise. I wonder how its competiors get into it. Are there people growing up dreaming of competing in biathlon? Or is it a fallback option for people who couldn't cut it either in nordic skiing or in shooting?