If you were the "average guy" in an Olympic event as a point of reference...

[BigVMan23]

...for just how good these guys are at their sport, what sport can/could you have done and maybe not just totally be an embarrassment?

 

This is in reference to Bill Murray's tweet the other day, saying there should be one average guy in each event that competes as a point of reference to just how good these Olympic athletes are. This would be very interesting.

 

Here's the rules. Pick any sport they do at the Summer Olympics, team or individual. In this scenario, you will be allowed 6 months of intense training for that sport with the team/individual coaches...not gonna just throw you to the wolves here, gonna give you a little bit of a fighting chance. What ever you pick, you will participate at least at a minimal level. For instance, if you pick swimming you will swim in at least one event, your pick. If you pick basketball, you would have to be on the court for X number of minutes first and second half, not just going to put you in last 30 seconds up 55 points over Angola, you will actually play.

 

For me, no question it would be basketball. Now, I couldn't do it today of course at 50 with an artificial hip, but in my prime, in my early-mid 20's with 6 months of intense training, I could have taken the court for a few minutes and not embarrassed myself I think. Outside of that, I'm not sure there's anything else I could pick and not just be totally embarrassing.

 

Anything out there you would/could pick?

[LRCW]

Gonna have to go with Sumo Wrestling.

[nkypete]

An 18-year-old version of myself could have competed in tennis.

[lawildcat]

Badminton

[Wireman]

I could have ran up and the down the court in basketball at one point. Obviously, not compete with NBA players, but I could have been a star for Guatemala.

[Wireman]

In the winter Olympics, I guess I could figure out that game where they slide the big disc down ice and sweep it. Surely I could figure out how to not embarrass myself there

[THE SHERIFF]

Sprinting! That's me in the blue.

 

Redirect Notice

[TAC]

Soccer. Easy to hide average players on the field.

[UKMustangFan]

Fairly confident when I say none. Doubt there's more than maybe 1 or 2 people on this board that wouldn't embarrass themselves on the Olympic stage.

[UKMustangFan]

Soccer. Easy to hide average players on the field.

 

Spoken like someone who, well, doesn't know soccer.

[Bipsic]

Soccer. Easy to hide average players on the field.

 

Considering it is 23 and under, I think you would stick out like a sore thumb.

[Watusi]

Just looking at the summer games, I might have had two shots.

 

Maybe, maybe, maybe when I was 18 and in good shape, I might have been able to find a spot on a rowing team with enough practice and training.

 

And maybe the same on a sailing team but I admit I know zero about sailing and it looks complicated to me.

 

Other than that, there is virtually no chance I would do anything other than embarrass myself. No chance.

[bugatti]

You have to think if you had a little training in archery you could pass for a (bad) archer.

[afi100guy]

Table Tennis for me. I was a pretty good player as a kid and played hours a day.

[woodsrider]

Archery, shooting, and rowing

 

This is only not being embarrassed, not actually having a chance of winning or even getting a medal.