Welcome to Star Trek Simulation Forum

Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to contribute to this site by submitting your own content or replying to existing content. You'll be able to customize your profile, receive reputation points as a reward for submitting content, while also communicating with other members via your own private inbox, plus much more! This message will be removed once you have signed in.

Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0
Sorehl

Olympics in the Federation

There's a rumor that, during TNG's run, they imagined an episode about a Federation-wide version of the Olympics and planned to cast Arnold Schwartzenegger as a guest.

 

Which makes me wonder. Assuming the Olympics continue on into the 24th Century, would Earth open the games to alien competitors? We saw a DS9 episode where Vulcans had a distinct advantage playing baseball, given their increased strength and stamina - is that fair? Or would the Olypmics limit themselves to humans, including those living on other worlds (or stations or ships) and let some other pan-Federation competition among alien species develop?

 

If there were an interstellar sports competition, which species would dominate which sports?

Edited by Sorehl

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
If there were an interstellar sports competition, which species would dominate which sports?

 

Andorians for the Biathalon. But that's a winter sport. Klingons for Fencing, Telerites for wrestling, Caitians in hijump, and Betazoid for volleyball.

Edited by Abe Kas

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I say the "Olympics" would remain an Earth human event if it still existed. I see the Eugenics Wars as having probably marred it's reputation as the nations ruled by Khan and his friends would have used it for political gains somewhat like Hitler tried to do. During the high reign of the Eugenics the Olympics were probably just about taken over by them and served to show their greatness... with natural borns not even being allowed entrance.

 

After that war and WWIII there may not have been much of the games left. And the sense of world unity after First Contact may have turned folks away from a desire for Nation vs Nation sports competitions. Between first contact and Enterprise era the games may have resurfaced but in a different arrangement less based on nation of origin. The first aliens to try and enter the games probably would set off protests from Terra Prime and other similar groups.

 

The most peaceful solution in my mind would be to then establish intergalactic games separate from the Olympics.

 

I do NOT believe Klingons would dominate fencing. Perhaps sabers but not foil. Slicing attacks look all cool and whatever but a quick jab to the gut in the way to take down an opponent. Klingon style is too flashy. I see Vulcans having the speed, reflexes, and focus for fencing.

 

I just hope the Horta are bared from any wrestling events. Disintegrating your opponent is usually bad.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see the Klingons dominating the Hammer Throw, Shot Put, and Javelin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I like the idea of a Human olympics. Given the variety of species in the Federation, I'm not even sure a pan-federation games could be doable. How would it be fair for a human to wrestle a vulcan, or the hundred other examples? I would picture a human olypics in the 24th century to be represented by human worlds like Earth and Alpha Centauri, rather then nation states.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Assuming the Olympics continue on into the 24th Century, would Earth open the games to alien competitors? Or would the Olypmics limit themselves to humans, including those living on other worlds (or stations or ships) and let some other pan-Federation competition among alien species develop?

I think the Olympics would still be a homo sapiens only competition, but you've got to wonder how they'd enforce it. Sorry, you're half-Vulcan seems discriminatory, but it seems like the only way to keep the playing field even.

 

There's got to be multi-species sports competitions. Voyager mentioned Parissi Squares games with alien players, although there hasn't been a professional Klingon player in since one strangled a referee 40 years ago. Maybe there's Federation Gladiators?

 

If there were an interstellar sports competition, which species would dominate which sports?

I think Kallah is right. Klingons would be good with javelins and blades, but foil fencing seems very Vulcan-ish.

 

The Andorians would dominate winter sports, especially ice skating. They have the right hockey temperment.

 

Tellarites for weight-lifting and wrestling.

 

As for Deltans, gymnastics. That's all I'm sayin'.

 

I also think it's fun to imagine what kind of sports other species would bring.

Edited by Gidgiddoni

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Discrimination wouldn't be the same in the 24th century. Roddenberry would probably say that by that time we would be "enlightened" enough not to get bent out of shape about being told we could not compete in an event because we have too much of an advantage (or no chance at all). But I believe the intergalactic games would naturally be dominated by certain species and that's just the way it would be. It would be the whole "Cool Runnings" thing, Jamaica just isn't going to field a large crop of Winter Olympic competitors. Likewise certain worlds just won't have the grassroots interest in certain games because of species and cultural differences.

 

Now, possibly there could be a handicapping system like golf. This would be easier in track and field with past times adjusting your starting position or other elements. How it would work in other sports I have no idea, especially team sports.

 

We also need to consider all the Federation members we've never seen. Andorians may not be the most cold natured species out there. And also, the games other species would bring in might be found easy by humans.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would think the concept of the Olympics would fit well within the Federation, differences of species' physical abilities aside.

 

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

 

Some of the rest of the Fundamental Principles as written are a little more human oriented of course, but we don't have aliens to worry about at the moment. I think they could be adapted to an intergalactic setting without too much trouble.

 

As far as some of the "advantages" some species might have, I would think that it would be part of the challenge for species that may be lacking in the same strength, for example, to become as competitive as possible.

 

I do think Vulcans would fare very well in any number of the sports.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sure any Interstellar Olympic Committee would consider handicaps or even differing classes. Not to mention having rules to cover the multitude of planetary types, like Vulcan's lower oxygen limit, or higher gravity planets, and the requirements for certain non-performance enhancing medications. But where would tri-ox fit in to that mix?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0