FAIRWEATHER SPORTS

Guess what, gang?  It is almost time for Tour De France!!!!  I know I can't wait.  Of course, if Lance Armstrong doesn't win it for the 6th straight year.....then I'm not going to be interested.

And so it goes with these "fairweather sports".  These are sports and games we care nothing about.....not even care to watch....but are intrigued by the outcome nonetheless.

Who really watches cycling?  I mean, does anyone really get a beer and sit down to watch the "Tour De France Highlight Show" on ESPN at midnight??  Nope.  We'll watch the 90 second package that ESPNews will have....and that's to see how Lance did.  If Lance does well....then we'll care about it for at least another day.  If he, or any American, is out of the mix....then it might as well be an infomercial for a get-rich-quick scheme.

The Tour De Lance isn't the only sport that deals with this. 

Even some of the most niche sports tend to get this treatment.  Tennis and horse racing have their enthusiasts.  They have their own fans and experts.  But EVERYONE gets into the Kentucky Derby.  Even if you don't plan to watch the actual race.....you'll check to see who won or you put in a few bucks at the office pool.  From there, you get the Preakness and Belmont Stakes....where, God forbid, a Triple Crown winner could occur.  We all get hysterical and cannot WAIT for that 2 minute race.  After the Belmont....I won't care, or even remember, horse racing until I start seeing KY Derby merchandise floating around.

And Wimbledon.  I used to watch tennis when Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, a hairy Agassi and a young Pete Sampars were roaming the courts.  But, tennis to me is so boring to watch.....especially men's tennis.  Wow....a big serve with no return.  Wow....another one.  Women's tennis has turned into the "I didn't win because I didn't try/was hurt/bad calls/it was hot" excuse tour.  I just can't get into it.  But, during Wimbledon and US Open....I do admit to keeping an eye on who is doing well.  Heck, I have no idea who is #1 in the World right now.

Or one of the biggest tournaments in the world....the World Cup.  I hate soccer.  I understand its relevance in youth sports today.  Anykid, no matter how un-coordinated, slow and un-athletic, can play without fear of (a) getting hurt or (b) looking stupid in front of everyone.  But, when the World Cup came around and good ol' USA advanced into the 2nd round....we broke our arms patting each other on the back.  But, after....whoever won that damn thing.....won, we went back to being true Americans and forgetting about soccer.   Oh, unless Freddy Adu is playing.

Yeah, that would make me the "fringe fan".  Ya know, those people that only watch golf on Sundays if, and only if, Tiger Woods is in the hunt for the trophy.  Or people that only watch boxing if Mike Tyson is on the card.  Or the Indy 500.....just because we are told that it is important.  America's Cup Yachting.  Westminter Dog Show.

The MOTHER of all Fairweather Sporting Event comes up pretty soon.  The Olympic Games.  We will sit there and watch every freaking event [that Americans do well in] and know the names of the top contenders.  When the Games are over....we'll all know the names of all the 12-year olds on the womens gymnastics team.....yet right now, you couldn't name one.  There will be the one guy that fought all of the odds to get to the Games....so we root for him [note: who has had more of a difficulty getting to the Games than the Iraqi soccer team?].  We'll know all of the track and field guys....and wonder who is juiced up.  All of the swimmers, divers, water polo, fencing, badmitten and the rest.  Then when the torch gets extinguished....we'll go back to loving our highly paid athletes in sports we actually CARE about. 

Anyway.....go Lance in France!!!!   July is my birthday month....and I always start it up with some good cycling parties!!! 

By the way....why is it the "yellow" jersey???