We’re deep in the throes of the Olympics, and in this house of Olympic nerds, we always like to talk about what sports we would’ve liked to try, or could even do now.
In the day: shot put or volleyball. As far as I know, I still hold my old school district’s record for the shot put, and I was a hella good volleyball server.
Wish I wish: swimming. My whole life I’ve been a naturally strong swimmer and I love being in the water. Wonder what woulda happened if I’d pursued it for real. My best stroke is the backstroke for sure.
Even today: archery or shooting. I have great natural aim; commanded my ROTC unit’s shooting team and won a load of medals in those days. And when I went to summer camp, I’d always bring back a little trophy or something for being the best at archery. And hey, no upper age limit on that, eh?
Bobsled (if my short legs wouldn’t cause trouble getting into the sled on launch?) looks like it would fit in with my SCCA Autocross addiction? (I miss watching the BoDyne Bobsled Challenge? Race car drivers flying down a bobsled track… )
Biathlon… grade school camping trip near the Canada border (we joked that they were going to have us invade and take all the maple syrup…) … was handed an air rifle and told to try and hit the target? Drilled every shot dead center? The class bullies all seemed to give me more space for the rest of the trip after that? I was never the fastest cross country skier but would probably gain time by not missing targets?
Snowboard cross reminds me of skiing at MN and Wisconsin ski slopes that were more ice rinks than snow covered? I could see myself doing decent in that? Probably not a medal, but decent?
