Branagh/Youngs vs. Cuba ****SPOILER***

[GatorVball]

No idea when this will air, but if you want the results, here they are.

Branagh/Youngs win easily, 21-15, 21-13.

[MohKat]

FWIW, it's on airing on NBC right now.

[ugopher]

You mean there is another USA beach volleyball team in the Olympics besides May/Walsh?

[vballguy2001]

while i was watching this game I came to the realization that in the olympics the women wear less clothes then the men do......by ALOT. Does anyone else find this kind of funny?

[psualum]

Vballguy, you inadvertently bring up a subject of contention for me. I believe the AVP requires female participants to wear two piece suits. I am guessing this is the case for the olympics. At the risk of being criticized as an old-school volleyball purist, I think sand volleyball should be viewed as a legitimate sport played at the highest level by world-class athletes. It should not be marketed as an entertainment spectacle directed at middle-age men. California will soon make sand volleyball an official high school sport. Other states will follow. I think young girls of all shapes and sizes contemplating a career in sand volleyball should be sent the message that they will not be forced to parade in front of a crowd wearing a bikini. For players like Walsh, fine. But for others having problems with body image, they should know they can wear something more realistic. Make the two piece suit optional, not mandatory.
I know most guys have an opposing viewpoint. I would be interested in the opinion of female bloggers and fathers with young girls thinking about playing sand volleyball.

[IdahoBoy]

psualum, this comes up all the time.

True volleyball enthusiasts hate the skimpy requirements mandated by FIVB, for your reasons along with others.

I personally don't care anymore. I still love to watch the sport, and beach (shudder to admit with Ruffda around) is growing on me as a spectator sport.

I think the fact is that the spandex in the indoor sport already deters a large amount of potential players. But when you get down to it, it really helps to be in shape to play at the highest levels.

From a nation of obese couch potatoes, like the US is... maybe requiring skimpy clothes is a good motivator for us to get back in shape? Who knows, this argument can go back and forth forever.

[vballguy2001]

I didn't mean to make this an argument. I just thought it was an interesting observation. why aren't the guys tank topless? Just thought it was funny that was all...........

[psualum]

Vballguy, I understand your comment was just a light-hearted, casual observation. It gave me an excuse to voice something I feel strongly about. My comment was not directed toward you, just cyberspace in general.

[Deleted]

I don't think "being in shape" for athletics has ANYTHING to do with looking good in a bikini -- and that there is the problem.

It's a shame that the only way indoor volleyball could attract more attention from the media is for the players to go to 2-piece uniforms. It's a shame that people can't appreciate the sport as a sport. I still say the vast majority of the TV audience for beach volleyball couldn't care less about the sport, which, if the truth be told, is a pretty poor version of volleyball.

Don't get me wrong. I believe the physical appeal of athletes is a major reason why ANYONE watches. Male and female athletes both. But, please. Let's not go overboard.

[Keystonekid]

Youngs is as unlikable as may and walsh are likable.

[vballguy2001]

what does that mean keystone?

[IdahoBoy]

Aug 15, 2008 17:32:03 GMT -5 vballguy2001 said:

what does that mean keystone?

Don't listen to Keystone... he has a skewed perspective. For instance, he actually likes John Cook. See what I mean?