If they’re there…
If they are, they’ll be in the vicinity of Paul Hogan
and if they’re not left out of any edited highlight packages…
Your Sydney Correspondent.
RE: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
> Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that
> their underlying philosophy is supremecist
The nice thing about activities that have philosophies you don’t agree with; you
don’t have to participate, or even watch it on TV. Most unicyclists aren’t
interested in competition. But the ones who are have accomplished most of the
growth of the sport.
> and we’d all have to start taking steroids !
In fact, I think I feel a cold coming on…
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com
“In the walk of life sometimes you are a dog, and sometimes you are a hydrant.”
- Anonymous
RE: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
> I don’t see how having a unicycling demonstration sport representation or full
> fledged unicycle competition in the Olympics could hurt the sport.
I doubt that any sport was ever, ever hurt by being in the Olympics. Though my
favorite example, luge, is seldom heard of outside the Olympics, the sport can
only have gotten more respect by being part of the games. The same is true for
other “fringe” sports, like Rhythmic Gymnastics. I missed seeing any coverage of
that on TV, but thos events happened.
Though some of us think of unicycling as a sport, it is also a recreational
activity, an art form, and many other things. It is whatever you want it to be.
However if it is not to you what it is to somebody else, let it be.
For the people who want to get unicycling into the Olympics, they are trying to
do something very difficult, in order to bring unicycling to more people. To
discourage others from taking steps to grow the sport can only do damage.
It’s easy to focus on the bad publicity associated with the Olympics (or any
other event in the news). But let’s not forget the good things. For many people,
it’s their favorite sporting event. For many people, they get an intangible good
feeling from watching top athletes from all over the world, competing in a
friendly environment. In the Olympics I always get an underlying feeling of
world peace. Even if a war is going on somewhere, sometimes we even get to see
the athletes cooperating. This is rare though, because it makes the governments
of the warring countries look bad so the athletes are pulled.
Sure, it’s not perfect. There is political maneuvering. There is strange
judging. There are people or teams using performance-enhancing drugs. There is
imbalanced or lame TV coverage. But overall, what I just witnessed was Sydney
putting on an incredible show. Nobody had complaints about the hosts. I saw
amazing performances. I saw good spirits shared between athletes from different
countries, and amazing sports triumphs. That carries over when people think
about those “foreigners” at other times. They’re people just like us, not
strange beings from the other side of the world.
It’s okay to not like the Olympics, or to not like competition at all. But don’t
tear down people who do. This will only make it harder for them to do what
they like.
> Lastly, why do some people so delight in taking cheap shots at John Foss over
> the newsgroup?
Don’t worry about me, it’s quite all right for people to have opposing opinions
and we should hear them all. But I appreciate it, Carl.
> For a man who rides a stick with a wheel on it, you seem awfully serious John.
Ow, that sounds painful. No wonder I get sore after long rides! 
But I also used to ride unicycles for a living. Fun as it is, it requires some
committment to make that work. Though I love having fun with unicycles, I also
think of them as more than a goofy clown prop.
But I agree that when unicycles are presented to the public, it has to be fun.
Though I like showcasing the sport and art aspects, to me no unicycle show is
complete without at least a little bit of comedy.
> My choice to participate in activities does not mean I am not affected by the
> way society is organised and the ideals it propounds.
Unfortunately I don’t think unicycling can make much of a dent there. But if
somebody wants to try, I will support them.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone http://www.unicycling.com
“In the walk of life sometimes you are a dog, and sometimes you are a hydrant.”
- Anonymous
Re: Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
In a message dated 10/11/0 3:22:04 PM, j.baxendale@ntlworld.com wrote:
>I don’t mean any harm. I think competition is a bad thing for unicyling mostly
>because it could take away the magic that it possesses currently, as a thing of
>competition our currently comic wheelsticks would become as bland as an
>everyday cycle or even a hocky stick.
Competition is not always a good thing but it does give some folks a reason to
strive and realize their own potential. It also allows us to find out what the
limits are of a sport or skill. Unicycling has really come a long way over the
years. It would be nice if some skills were left only to be seen in performance
or the circus but unfortunately few great unicyclists want to be in the circus
(many enjoy their jobs, or have great paying jobs and don’t want to be a carne
(sp?)). The olympics would allow other people to realize that the unicycle is
not just for clowns! Unfortunately few of the GREAT clowns that actually did
skillful clowning on the unicycle ever got any recognition or are remembered.
The only time I get any real appreciation for my skills is when another person
who has some expertise in unicycling sees my performance. I think folks who have
worked hard over the years and honed their uni skills should deserve some kind
of recognition from the general public other than “where’s your other
wheel”…
Unicycle Lady http://users.aol.com/unilady/
RE: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
> I’m not saying that the Olympics will cause unicycles to be bland, what I am
> saying is that if they are as frequently seen as bicycles they will become
> mundane and ordinary in the minds of the masses.
This is true. In fact I’ve heard people muse about the fact that if unicycling
becomes too popular, it won’t stand out at all. Some people worry about this
because it will make them no longer a novelty. I have even seen people who were
involved in running conventions and large unicycling organizations that said
they didn’t want the sport to get too big.
Now everybody raise your hand if you think unicycling will ever become as
popular as bicycling. Ever.
Of course it won’t. But it may become more common. One of the goals of the
Unicycling Society of America and the International Unicycling Federation is to
achieve that. Not to make unicycling bland, but to bring the joy we have felt in
learning to ride to more and more people.
I’ve been casually monitoring the general public’s perception of unicycling for
20 years now. Not just in the U.S. either. And I believe I can safely make these
dire predictions:
-
No matter what we do, a percentage of the world population will always be
convinced that “I could never do that”. We’ve all met them. -
No matter how commonplace unicycling becomes, an even larger percentage of
the world population will never invest the time and effort to get over the
steep learning curve.
Now you might think this makes me a bad promoter of the sport? No (at least not
for that reason), because our purpose is still to reduce those percentages as
much as possible. But that’s a future concern. Before we get to that point, we
still have to spread the word that ‘yes you can’ and ‘information is available’.
Most people still don’t know anything about it.
I have also heard people speculating about what would it be like if unicycling
got as popular as inline skating or some other well known sport. Many of the
people in unicycling now might leave the sport because it would no longer be as
novel as it used to be. It wouldn’t have that “Look Mommy!” quality. In
mountain unicycling, I am surrounded by a number of people who I think like to
be on the cutting edge of things. Guys who are top computer programmers, or
rock climbers (or both), and might move on to the next “new” thing if
unicycling became too common.
I believe that is true. But this is the future we’ve asked for if we are members
of large clubs or national unicycling organizations. We’ve already been holding
national competitions here in the U.S. for 25 years now. But not to worry, we’ve
barely made a dent in the general populace. It’s still the usual comments,
things like “I didn’t know it was a sport”.
We’ve got a long way to go, baby. I’m sure it will be a fun ride.
Stay on top, John Foss President, International Unicycling Federation President,
Unicycling Society of America (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com
RE: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: John Foss
<john_foss@asinet.com> Reply-To: John Foss <john_foss@asinet.com> Date: Thu, 12
Oct 2000 09:12:39 -0700
The one thing that I have learn about unicyclists is that there is a diversity
of reasons why people decided to unuicycle. That is OK as long as we remember
that we shoul not impose our views all of the unicyclists.
Alberto
>> I’m not saying that the Olympics will cause unicycles to be bland, what I am
>> saying is that if they are as frequently seen as bicycles they will become
>> mundane and ordinary in the minds of the masses.
>
>This is true. In fact I’ve heard people muse about the fact that if unicycling
>becomes too popular, it won’t stand out at all. Some people worry about this
>because it will make them no longer a novelty. I have even seen people who were
>involved in running conventions and large unicycling organizations that said
>they didn’t want the sport to get too big.
>
>Now everybody raise your hand if you think unicycling will ever become as
>popular as bicycling. Ever.
>
>Of course it won’t. But it may become more common. One of the goals of the
>Unicycling Society of America and the International Unicycling Federation is to
>achieve that. Not to make unicycling bland, but to bring the joy we have felt
>in learning to ride to more and more people.
>
>I’ve been casually monitoring the general public’s perception of unicycling for
>20 years now. Not just in the U.S. either. And I believe I can safely make
>these dire predictions:
>
>1. No matter what we do, a percentage of the world population will always be
> convinced that “I could never do that”. We’ve all met them.
>
>2. No matter how commonplace unicycling becomes, an even larger percentage of
> the world population will never invest the time and effort to get over the
> steep learning curve.
>
>Now you might think this makes me a bad promoter of the sport? No (at least not
>for that reason), because our purpose is still to reduce those percentages as
>much as possible. But that’s a future concern. Before we get to that point, we
>still have to spread the word that ‘yes you can’ and 'information is
>available’. Most people still don’t know anything about it.
>
>I have also heard people speculating about what would it be like if unicycling
>got as popular as inline skating or some other well known sport. Many of the
>people in unicycling now might leave the sport because it would no longer be as
>novel as it used to be. It wouldn’t have that “Look Mommy!” quality. In
>mountain unicycling, I am surrounded by a number of people who I think like to
>be on the cutting edge of things. Guys who are top computer programmers, or
>rock climbers (or both), and might move on to the next “new” thing if
>unicycling became too common.
>
>I believe that is true. But this is the future we’ve asked for if we are
>members of large clubs or national unicycling organizations. We’ve already been
>holding national competitions here in the U.S. for 25 years now. But not to
>worry, we’ve barely made a dent in the general populace. It’s still the usual
>comments, things like “I didn’t know it was a sport”.
>
>We’ve got a long way to go, baby. I’m sure it will be a fun ride.
>
>Stay on top, John Foss President, International Unicycling Federation
>President, Unicycling Society of America (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
>http://www.unicycling.com
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
Greetings
In message “You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony”, an insider wrote…
>If they’re there…
>
>If they are, they’ll be in the vicinity of Paul Hogan
>
>and if they’re not left out of any edited highlight packages…
>
>
I saw the unicycles near Paul Hogan during the closing ceremonies and was
shocked and pleased. I thought we would need to go throught a long uphill battle
to get any unis into the Olympics in any form.
Does anyone know who arranged for these unicycles and who the unicyclists are?
Well, not that we have a toehold, I suggest we form a committee whose goal is to
get a full fledged uni demo in Athens 2004. Is it too late? Probably not.
>
>Your Sydney Correspondent.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
For a man who rides a stick with a wheel on it, you seem awfully serious John.
My original statement:-
>> Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that
>> their underlying philosophy is supremecist
You said:-
>
>The nice thing about activities that have philosophies you don’t agree
with;
>you don’t have to participate, or even watch it on TV. Most unicyclists aren’t
>interested in competition. But the ones who are have accomplished most of the
>growth of the sport.
My reply:- My choice to participate in activities does not mean I am not
affected by the way society is organised and the ideals it propounds.
>I said:-
>> and we’d all have to start taking steroids !
You said:-
>
>In fact, I think I feel a cold coming on…
My reply:- I take it this is some form of sarcasm, thats fine I like that,
however it rather golsses over the fact that steroids have been in widespread
use in competition for well over 30 yrs. Hyperdermic Needle exchange programmes
in this country(UK) report that over 60% of the syringes they exchange are in
use by steroid users not heroin etc. Is this a problem? I think so.
>
Like Yoda says Lets Keep it fun dez www.dynamart.co.uk
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
I’m very glad you saw 'em, Jack.
My “story” is that I would have been there (as a frill-necked lizard on a uni)
but I had to pull out due to injury…
“Far greater athletes than I have missed the Olympics due to injury” 
The very general and vague “background” to the unicyclist, cyclists, scootists
(a new word for the dictionary) and bladeists appearing in the Sydney 2000
Closing Ceremony is:
(as most Aussies will recall…)
It all harks back to when the Australians did their “bit” at Atlanta, with the
handing over of the Olympic Flag, etc. Involved in this segment were inflated
kangaroos on bicycles. For some reason (which I never quite understood or agreed
with) the “kangaroos on bikes” were criticized, lampooned, derided, and
generally considered not only low-brow, but almost a national embarrassment.
So, in general keeping with the theme of the Closing Ceremony being more
relaxed, party, as well as celebrating whimsical Aussie “icons” of all sorts.
The “kangaroos on bikes” issue was revisited in the form of an excellent
“mickey-take”… there were prawns on bikes, lizards on unis, crocs on blades
and water buffalo on scooters, surrounding Paul “Crocodile Dundee” Hogan.
Of the four uni riders, (whom I met when I was the fifth one) I know less than a
handful of first names (sorry) but I do know that none of them are “specialist”
riders. We all just rocked up to an “all-comers” casting call that I had heard
about at Sydney’s local juggling club, and they had heard about on the radio.
They weren’t looking for jugglers.
Indirectly in all came thru Ric Birch (as far as I know).
Even though it wasn’t a “demo” as such, I thought it was a cool bit of lateral
thinking. It really did come largely out of the original Kangaroos on Bikes
Atlanta segment. I don’t think it would have happened at all otherwise. There
were no “tricks” (who’d be able to discern crank idling in a stadium that
size?) I wouldn’t have auditioned if they’d needed those sort of tricks (since
I can’t do 'em!)
Cheers all!
> I saw the unicycles near Paul Hogan during the closing ceremonies and was
> shocked and pleased. I thought we would need to go throught a long uphill
> battle to get any unis into the Olympics in any form.
>
>
> Does anyone know who arranged for these unicycles and who the unicyclists are?
>
>
> Well, not that we have a toehold, I suggest we form a committee whose goal is
> to get a full fledged uni demo in Athens 2004. Is it too late? Probably not.
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
I don’t see how having a unicycling demonstration sport representation or full
fledged unicycle competition in the Olympics could hurt the sport. It’s
relatively difficult to purchase unicycles and parts, and to find fellow
unicyclists. While I don’t consider myself to be a competitive unicyclist, I
benefit a lot from the knowledge of those unicyclists who do engage in
competitions. My feeling is “the more the merrier,” and I believe that a public
venue like the Olympics would do a lot towards getting more people involved in
unicycling. As for steroids, if an Olympian unicyclist took them, it would have
little to do with unicycling or the Olympics and a lot to do with the
individual’s personal choices with regard to drug use. The ideas expressed
about keeping unicycling out of the Olympics, although I don’t agree with them,
I find to be good discussion items for the newsgroup. The steroid thing seems
like a bit of a tangeant to me. Lastly, why do some people so delight in taking
cheap shots at John Foss over the newsgroup? The guy’s done more for unicycling
and the unicycling community than most of us have ever thought of doing. Show
some respect!
Carl Trachte Morenci, Arizona
“j.baxendale” wrote:
>
> For a man who rides a stick with a wheel on it, you seem awfully serious John.
>
> My original statement:-
>
> >> Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that
> >> their underlying philosophy is supremecist
>
> You said:-
> >
> >The nice thing about activities that have philosophies you don’t agree
> with;
> >you don’t have to participate, or even watch it on TV. Most unicyclists
> >aren’t interested in competition. But the ones who are have accomplished most
> >of the growth of the sport.
>
> My reply:- My choice to participate in activities does not mean I am not
> affected by the way society is organised and the ideals it propounds.
>
> >I said:-
> >> and we’d all have to start taking steroids !
>
> You said:-
> >
> >In fact, I think I feel a cold coming on…
>
> My reply:- I take it this is some form of sarcasm, thats fine I like that,
> however it rather golsses over the fact that steroids have been in widespread
> use in competition for well over 30 yrs. Hyperdermic Needle exchange
> programmes in this country(UK) report that over 60% of the syringes they
> exchange are in use by steroid users not heroin etc. Is this a problem? I
> think so.
> >
> Like Yoda says Lets Keep it fun dez www.dynamart.co.uk
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
I probably should ignore all of this, but I can’t resist adding my .01 cents.
At 0432 PM 10/11/00 +0100, j.baxendale wrote
>I think competition is a bad thing for unicyling mostly because it could take
>away the magic that it possesses currently, as a thing of competition our
>currently comic wheelsticks would become as bland as an everyday cycle or even
>a hocky stick.
I really don’t understand what you mean by that… I don’t find a bicycle or a
hockey stick to be bland at all, I think they are beautiful engineering designs
of simplicity and efficiency! To me, a Cadillac is BLAND, and I’m not aware of
any Caddy Olympics to blame for it. As far as the loss of “magic”, I disagree
with that too. I love watching unicycle competitions - the skills and
performances of the competitors are magical and inspiring to me! What could be
more fun to a unicyclist than to watch an expert push the limits?
Plus, I find your “comic wheelstick” comment to be derogatory. What are you
trying to say, that unicycling is too silly to be serious?
You wrote:
>The whole idea of competitive unicycling to me is ludicrous, surely its not
>meant to be serious? Can’t it be something where we are all winners?
Ludicrous? I’d say that an Olympic pie eating contest would be ludicrous, but
not unicycling… it is a physical skill that is a result of practice and some
basic innate ability and conditioning. Those of us that practice regularly are
pretty serious about it. I’ve never competed in a NUC or UNICON, and perhaps
never will, but I feel like a WINNER simply because I can ride the thing and do
a few tricks. Sure, lots of people are better than I am, some of them compete,
but so what? I’m having fun… nothing can change that.
A lot of the “experts” out there have been competing in the NUC and UNICON
events for years and I bet they would be thrilled to be part of the Olympics and
to see some “new blood” and recognition that the exposure of the Olympics is
likely to create. What’s wrong with that?
The fact is, if you want to compete, do it. If you just want to ride up and down
the driveway - do that… but to each his own .
You seem concerned that competition will ruin unicycling, as it has with
“cycling and hockey” Well lets take a look at bicycling. I see lots of people
riding bikes in my neighborhood for fun and exercise. Most of these people
probably have never watched coverage of the Tour de France, or Olympic
competition, or Fat Traxx on ESPN, or have even heard of any cycling
celebrities… but I’m sure that they enjoy their indexed shifting… and
lightweight components… and quick release wheels, and their cycle computer,
and their 27 gears… All of these are spin offs from bicycle racing. Did all
of that “ruin” bicycling? I don’t think so. Oh…maybe you don’t like that kind
of stuff… maybe you are a retrogrouch - you prefer friction shifting, steel
frames with lugs, leather saddles, 6 speed freewheels, centerpull brakes…so
do I! Both of my bikes are built ike that. Luckily, I can still buy that type of
retro equipment thanks to the Internet. Why? Because bike people are “competing”
to find a marketing niche. I really fail to see what is wrong with competition,
especially when it is honest…
-Rick
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
Go Carl I agree. I fail to see what harm entering into the Olympics can
do. For those that want to compete on a world stage and put in the hours that’s
up to them. If you don’t want to go to the Olympics then don’t. Simple.
As for steroids and drug use - yeah, it’s down to the individual. Olympic
athletes are pressured and may decide to pump themselves up to the eye balls to
try and get the edge but, again, that’s down to the individual not the sport.
Give John a brake and let those that want to compete well alone - it’s their
choice not yours.
Neil
“Jane and Carl Trachte” <janencarl@aepnet.com> wrote in message
news:39E3C671.804C5AD6@aepnet.com…
> I don’t see how having a unicycling demonstration sport representation or full
> fledged unicycle competition in the Olympics could hurt the sport. It’s
> relatively difficult to purchase unicycles and parts, and to find fellow
> unicyclists. While I don’t consider myself to be a competitive unicyclist, I
> benefit a lot from the knowledge of those unicyclists who do engage in
> competitions. My feeling is “the more the merrier,” and I believe that a
> public venue like the Olympics would do a lot towards getting more people
> involved in unicycling. As for steroids, if an Olympian unicyclist took them,
> it would have little to do with unicycling or the Olympics and a lot to do
> with the individual’s personal choices with regard to drug use. The ideas
> expressed about keeping unicycling out of the Olympics, although I don’t agree
> with them, I find to be good discussion items for the newsgroup. The steroid
> thing seems like a bit of a tangeant to me. Lastly, why do some people so
> delight in taking cheap shots at John Foss over the newsgroup? The guy’s done
> more for unicycling and the unicycling community than most of us have ever
> thought of doing. Show some respect!
>
> Carl Trachte Morenci, Arizona
>
> “j.baxendale” wrote:
> >
> > For a man who rides a stick with a wheel on it, you seem awfully
> > serious John.
> >
> > My original statement:-
> >
> > >> Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that
> > >> their underlying philosophy is supremecist
> >
> > You said:-
> > >
> > >The nice thing about activities that have philosophies you don’t agree
> > with;
> > >you don’t have to participate, or even watch it on TV. Most unicyclists
> > >aren’t interested in competition. But the ones who are have
accomplished
> > >most of the growth of the sport.
> >
> > My reply:- My choice to participate in activities does not mean I am not
> > affected
by
> > the way society is organised and the ideals it propounds.
> >
> > >I said:-
> > >> and we’d all have to start taking steroids !
> >
> > You said:-
> > >
> > >In fact, I think I feel a cold coming on…
> >
> > My reply:- I take it this is some form of sarcasm, thats fine I like
that,
> > however it rather golsses over the fact that steroids have been in
> > widespread use in competition for well over 30 yrs. Hyperdermic Needle
> > exchange programmes in this country(UK) report that over 60% of the
syringes
> > they exchange are in use by steroid users not heroin etc. Is this a problem?
> > I think so.
> > >
> > Like Yoda says Lets Keep it fun dez www.dynamart.co.uk
>
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
I’m not saying that the olympics will cause unicycles to be bland, what I am
saying is that if they are as frequently seen as bicycles they will become
mundane and ordinary in the minds of the masses. I agree that cycles are
beautiful and I can also see the beauty of a hocky stick but the majority of
people will hardly notice cycles going by, despite the engineering and the
balancing needed. As for my ‘currently comic wheelstick’ comment , for goodness
sake man, I mean this as a good thing, unicycles make people smile…the
greatest gift you can give to a stranger!
Rick Bissell wrote in message
<4.3.2.7.1.20001011231230.00aa5270@ncweb.com>…
>I probably should ignore all of this, but I can’t resist adding my .01
cents.
>
>At 0432 PM 10/11/00 +0100, j.baxendale wrote
> >I think competition is a bad thing for unicyling mostly because it could take
> >away the magic that it possesses currently,
as
> >a thing of competition our currently comic wheelsticks would become as bland
> >as an everyday cycle or even a hocky stick.
>
>I really don’t understand what you mean by that… I don’t find a bicycle or a
>hockey stick to be bland at all, I think they are beautiful engineering designs
>of simplicity and efficiency! To me, a Cadillac is BLAND, and I’m not aware of
>any Caddy Olympics to blame for it. As far as the loss of “magic”, I disagree
>with that too. I love watching unicycle competitions - the skills and
>performances of the competitors are magical and inspiring to me! What could be
>more fun to a unicyclist than to watch an expert push the limits?
>
>Plus, I find your “comic wheelstick” comment to be derogatory. What are you
>trying to say, that unicycling is too silly to be serious?
>
>You wrote:
> >The whole idea of competitive unicycling to me is ludicrous, surely its
not
> >meant to be serious? Can’t it be something where we are all winners?
>
>Ludicrous? I’d say that an Olympic pie eating contest would be ludicrous, but
>not unicycling… it is a physical skill that is a result of practice and some
>basic innate ability and conditioning. Those of us that practice regularly are
>pretty serious about it. I’ve never competed in a NUC or UNICON, and perhaps
>never will, but I feel like a WINNER simply because I can ride the thing and do
>a few tricks. Sure, lots of people are better than I am, some of them compete,
>but so what? I’m having fun… nothing can change that.
>
>A lot of the “experts” out there have been competing in the NUC and UNICON
>events for years and I bet they would be thrilled to be part of the Olympics
>and to see some “new blood” and recognition that the exposure of the Olympics
>is likely to create. What’s wrong with that?
>
>The fact is, if you want to compete, do it. If you just want to ride up and
>down the driveway - do that… but to each his own .
>
>You seem concerned that competition will ruin unicycling, as it has with
>“cycling and hockey” Well lets take a look at bicycling. I see lots of people
>riding bikes in my neighborhood for fun and exercise. Most of these people
>probably have never watched coverage of the Tour de France, or Olympic
>competition, or Fat Traxx on ESPN, or have even heard of any cycling
>celebrities… but I’m sure that they enjoy their indexed shifting… and
>lightweight components… and quick release wheels, and their cycle computer,
>and their 27 gears… All of these are spin offs from bicycle racing. Did all
>of that “ruin” bicycling? I don’t think so. Oh…maybe you don’t like that
>kind of stuff… maybe you are a retrogrouch - you prefer friction shifting,
>steel frames with lugs, leather saddles, 6 speed freewheels, centerpull
>brakes…so do I! Both of my bikes are built ike that. Luckily, I can still
>buy that type of retro equipment thanks to the Internet. Why? Because bike
>people are “competing” to find a marketing niche. I really fail to see what is
>wrong with competition, especially when it is honest…
>
>-Rick
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
Firstly let me apologize for any offence or ‘cheap shots’ I may have
inadvertently taken. I don’t mean any harm. I think competition is a bad thing
for unicyling mostly because it could take away the magic that it possesses
currently, as a thing of competition our currently comic wheelsticks would
become as bland as an everyday cycle or even a hocky stick. Secondly, I practice
a martial art called aikido…it is non-competitive, one of only a handful of
martial arts that are so. However there are still the diehards who insist on
trying to make a competition of something that in principle is cooperative. The
whole idea of competitive unicycling to me is ludicrous, surely its not meant to
be serious? Can’t it be something where we are all winners?
Neil Dunlop wrote in message
<971246580.21512..nnrp-01.c2de7fe2@news.demon.co.uk>…
>Go Carl I agree. I fail to see what harm entering into the Olympics can
>do. For those that want to compete on a world stage and put in the hours that’s
> up to them. If you don’t want to go to the Olympics then don’t. Simple.
>
>> > dez www.dynamart.co.uk
>>
>>
>
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
----- Original Message ----- From: “j.baxendale” <j.baxendale@ntlworld.com> To:
<unicycling@winternet.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 12:32 PM Subject:
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
> Firstly let me apologize for any offence or ‘cheap shots’ I may have
> inadvertently taken. I don’t mean any harm. I think competition is a bad thing
> for unicyling mostly because it could take away the magic that it possesses
> currently,
as
> a thing of competition our currently comic wheelsticks would become as bland
> as an everyday cycle or even a hocky stick.
>
When I read your comment, I thought that you were expressing your opinion. I
could not see any cheap shot. Sometimes we can be over sensitive. Unicyling,
through the IUF, has become a trully global activity. That is good. But we must
learn to listen, try to understand, consider, respect, diverse ideas, and only
then decide whether to accept or discard them.
Some background on unicycling and Olympics. One of the motives of creating the
IUF around 20 years ago, was to help unicycling become an Olympic sport. It is
on our charter. So, any IUF officer, regardless of his (her) personal opinion,
is supposed to move that way.
I have been an IUF Officer and Director. As such, I have
- Done some investigation and have taken some actions toward the Olympic goal.
- I have seen the growth and development of UNICONS through those 20 years from
a rather regional field day to an amazing convention. - Seen the development of many of the artistic skills and most of the
disciplines now on the Rule Book and/or Fun events.
Many of the great aspects of modern unicycling were developed because of the
competitive nature of some great riders. Competition can be good and has been
good for unicycling. But unicycling is mainly fun and recreation. Both must be
taken into consideration.
Personally, I would rather spend our energies developing UNICONs, which are the
world championship AND convention than becoming an Olympic event. At UNICONS we
can really do what the unicycling community wants to do. At UNICONs any rider,
regardless of the skill level and discipline, can be a participant.
But the Olympics goal is in our charter. The 2008 Olympics may be on China. We
have establish links with some key persons in China. Maybe we should try to
attend as an exhibition sport and see if we really like it and then make a
decision whether to move on into the Olympics or officially forget about
it.
The mechanics of becoming an Olympic sport can be complicated and not like it
has been reported. But I will not get into that in this letter.
Alberto Ruiz
> Secondly, I practice a martial art called aikido…it is
> non-competitive, one of
only
> a handful of martial arts that are so. However there are still the
diehards
> who insist on trying to make a competition of something that in principle
is
> cooperative. The whole idea of competitive unicycling to me is ludicrous,
> surely its
not
> meant to be serious? Can’t it be something where we are all winners?
>
> Neil Dunlop wrote in message
> <971246580.21512..nnrp-01.c2de7fe2@news.demon.co.uk>…
> >Go Carl I agree. I fail to see what harm entering into the Olympics
can
> >do. For those that want to compete on a world stage and put in the hours
> > that’s up to them. If you don’t want to go to the Olympics then don’t.
> > Simple.
> >
> >> > dez www.dynamart.co.uk
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
Greetings
In message “Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony”, Dusten
Galbraith wrote…
>Jack,
>
>I’ll pass your question, below, on to Deena Frooman.
>
>Deena is a former director of the IJA. I just heard from her saying she was
>working technical stuff in Sydney.
Thanks. I am looking forwar to it.
Are there any volunteers to help get a uni demo in Athens?
>If there wer juncyclists and/or jugglers there, I’ll bet Deena knew about it.
>
>Well, How About it, Deena? (I don’t hear from you in months, then send you two
>mesages within an hour.) Can you help answer this question as our On-Site
>reporter?
>
>Dusty Galbraith
>
>
>On 1 Oct 2000 06:44:41 -0700, in rec.sport.unicycling you wrote:
>
>>Greetings
>>
>>In message “You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony”, an insider wrote…
>> >If they’re there…
>> >
>> >If they are, they’ll be in the vicinity of Paul Hogan
>> >
>> >and if they’re not left out of any edited highlight packages…
>> >
>> >
>>I saw the unicycles near Paul Hogan during the closing ceremonies and was
>>shocked and pleased. I thought we would need to go throught a long uphill
>>battle to get any unis into the Olympics in any form.
>>
>>
>>Does anyone know who arranged for these unicycles and who the
>>unicyclists are?
>>
>>
>>Well, not that we have a toehold, I suggest we form a committee whose goal is
>>to get a full fledged uni demo in Athens 2004. Is it too late? Probably not.
>>
>> >
>> >Your Sydney Correspondent.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
>>Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
>>
>
>Getting ready for the next QUAD CITIES JUGGLEFEST November 3-5, 2000
>
Regards, Jack Halpern CJK Dictionary Publishing Society, http://www.kanji.org
Voice: +81-48-481-3103 Fax: +81-48-479-1323
Re: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that their
underlying philosophy is supremecist and we’d all have to start taking steroids
! concerned of grimsby UK www.dynamart.co.uk
Jack Halpern wrote in message <200010012219.AA09396@mail.mail.hinocatv.ne.jp>…
>Greetings
>
RE: You MIGHT glimpse unis in Closing Ceremony
I understand what you are talking about and I agree. Lets keep it fun.
Lowell yoda@socket.net
>
> Do unicyclists really want to be associated with the Olympics, given that
> their underlying philosophy is supremecist and we’d all have to start taking
> steroids ! concerned of grimsby UK www.dynamart.co.uk
>
> Jack Halpern wrote in message
> <200010012219.AA09396@mail.mail.hinocatv.ne.jp>…
> >Greetings
> >
> >
>