The introduction of new events such as trampoline gymnastics and synchronized diving make me wonder just what the Olympic games have become. The true tests of Olympic greatness such as track and field have taken a back seat to the new fads of beach volleyball and mountain biking. It is not just the new “sports” that have me questioning what makes a sport worthy of the Olympics. Here is a list of events at the 2000 games that seem a bit out of touch. 1. Badminton. Everyone remembers playing this in P.E. So-called athletes use miniature tennis rackets to hit a little shuttlecock over a watered-down version of a volleyball net. This was an entertaining substitute from running laps, but that is about as far as this kids game should have advanced. 2. 20 and 50 km Walk. This is a no-brainer. The object of this event is to walk as fast as possible, but if you walk too fast you are disqualified because you are considered to be running. Power-walking is a great form of exercise that many people use to burn calories and stay in shape, but come on – an Olympic sport? 3. and 4. Kayak Racing and Downhill Mountain Biking. It is cool to see people run into huge rocks, get sucked away by the undertow, and see cyclists barrel down a mountain before ejecting 30 feet over the handlebars, but these activities aren’t medal worthy. Two words for these events: X Games. 5. Synchronized Diving. The Olympic committee was really stretching for events this year. It took the extremely uninteresting sport of diving and multiplied it by two. Because it is a new event, NBC gave exclusive coverage to the event that lasted days. 6. Equestrian Events. These events have been in the games forever, but they still make no sense. The games are supposed to present the world’s greatest athletes, not the world’s greatest horses. If we keep these events around, I recommend the medals go to the horses and not the riders. 7. Rhythmic Gymnastics. One of the few events that could give synchronized diving a run for its money as far as boringness. The object of this event is to be as creative as possible with a big rubber ball. When I was a little younger, I used to roll around with a kickball. Give me the gold and cut this event. 8. Trampoline Gymnastics. Another new event, more wasted airtime. This activity was fun when I was a little kid and still yields entertainment when goofing around with friends. If these “athletes” want to bounce high into the air and do a triple-lutz with a half twist in the tuck position they should suck it up and become real gymnasts in the floor exercise. 9. Handball. Played in back alleys of all cities of the world by kids who couldn’t afford tennis rackets. And that’s where it should have stayed. They could at least liven things up a bit by giving them rackets and having Olympic racquetball, but it wouldn’t help much. 10. Sailing. A bunch of people sit on a boat and get pushed around by the wind. Whoever has the better boat design and catches a better gust of wind in their sail wins the gold medal. The gold should go to Mother Nature on this one. Besides, they have big races for these boats all the time. 11. Synchronized Swimming. Back to the aquatic center for another event that should never left the drawing board. The people that participate in this event are always way too happy to be swimming around in circles. If they really want to perform these pageants of elegance and color they should get out of the water and form a drill team. 12. Table Tennis. Yet another game that should be left in the basement. These ping-pong players do put forth enough energy to be true athletes as the ball zings back and forth across the table. But it is tough to watch one of these matches without imagining Forrest Gump hitting balls into a bedpan. 13. Beach Volleyball. It is definitely a welcome sight to see some of these players bouncing around in the sand. Kind of brings visions of Baywatch to mind. While I believe that volleyball itself is a worthy Olympic event the sand version is better left on the beach surrounded by scantily clad beach bunnies and beer ads. There are still the classic events to look forward to, but as far as I’m concerned the Olympics may be one thing that don’t need to change with the times.