Author Topic: A Few Ideas To Make Weightlifting More Popular In America (Read 3838 times)

Chris Ⓐ LeRoux · « **on:** Sep 05, 2006, 10:09 AM »

1) Play rock and roll throughout the contest. If a lifter can't concentrate during music, they deserve to loose.

2) Sell alcohol at the meets. The crowd will be louder and more enthusiastic and this will change the entire atmosphere pushing our lifters to greater feats and making the experience more enjoyable for the crowd.

3) Allow gambling. Bet on your favorite lifter(s)!

4) Use video technology to bring instant replays, slow motion, etc at meets as The Weightlifting Exchange did at the 2006 National Juniors and Pan Am Qualifiers.

5) Eliminate the press-out, elbow touch, and bar oscillation rules. The crowd hates them and so do most lifters, I believe. Get the refs out of the contest!

6) Extend our singlets down to the ankle. Stopping the meet for blood on the bar is a bummer and this would prevent some of them.

7) Have pretty women in bikinis walking by the crowd with signs displaying the weight on the bar and/or other relevant information.

Comments? Other ideas? I'd like to see our meets become 'more fun' and a lot less quiet.

Paul LaDuke · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 10:30 AM »

I love all your ideas!

I think we should study to success of the WWE and implement some of their ideas from that great sport.

1. Encourage the use of steroids. This really works in the WWE. Maybe some baby oil on the athletes before they step on the platform.

2. Have a cage match were 1 lifter actually throws the bar into the air and the other one catches it. The bar keeps gettting heavier and heavier until someone can't catch it. There is the potential for some really gruesome accidents as 200kg come crashing down, but then ESPN would cover that. Some lifters may die, but that is a chance I am willing to take.

3. I think Americans are thirsty for blood, so we need to encourage bleeding during lifting somehow. Maybe lifting bales of razor wire.

4. The lighter weights need to grow long hair and be allowed to wear just a leapard brief. This will bring in the ladies. If ladies come, so will desperate bachelors, this idea may eventually increase attendance big time. For the heavyweights, shaving the back would be mandatory. Chics don't dig back hair.

Hope this helps Chris!

Chris Ⓐ LeRoux · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 10:40 AM »

Paul,

Do I sense sarcasm? :D

I guess thats one vote against!

Cheers

Matt Denslinger · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 11:21 AM »

You forgot...

have horrible storylines and bad acting.

Nick Albert · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 01:33 PM »

lmao!!! i think all they are all great ideas. they all worked for football!!! and thats the most popular sport in the country. dont change the rules tho.

Chris Ⓐ LeRoux · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 01:52 PM »

Food for thought:

1) They play rock and roll during the contest at the Arnold and I think it works very well. The crowd and lifters seem to enjoy it. I know I do.

2) They sell alcohol at weightlifting meets in Europe, at least the ones I've been to.

3) Alcohol sales is an opportunity to not only liven up the meets, but also to make more money. More money equals more opportunities to fund and promote the sport as well as fund and reward our lifters.

4) Gambling will bring in more money and increase spectator interest and awareness. Gamblers will have to research the lifters to make smart bets! More money equals more opportunities to fund and promote the sport as well as fund and reward our lifters.

5) Instant replays, slow motions, etc. Whats not to like? Killing the deadtime in between lifts is essential to increase the spectator value of our sport and this is one way, with rock and roll being another important one, that I think we could accomplish that goal.

6) Is there any reason why someone is against extending our singlets? Are there people out there who are for blood on the bar stoppages? Whats the downside?

7) Whats wrong with pretty girls in bikinis? Who could be against that?? Bring in the crowds and entertain them any way possible! :D

Cheers

Paul LeDrew · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 06:50 PM »

1) Play rock and roll throughout the contest. If a lifter can't concentrate during music, they deserve to loose.

- Yes, a good idea, but maybe do the NHL, NBA, MLB concept where the music is off during 'play' [ie. when the lifter comes out to lift or steps on the platform]

2) Sell alcohol at the meets. The crowd will be louder and more enthusiastic and this will change the entire atmosphere pushing our lifters to greater feats and making the experience more enjoyable for the crowd.

- good luck getting the licencing

3) Allow gambling. Bet on your favorite lifter(s)!

- see #2

4) Use video technology to bring instant replays, slow motion, etc at meets as The Weightlifting Exchange and Tracy Fober did at the 2006 National Juniors and Pan Am Qualifiers.

- a VERY good idea

5) Eliminate the press-out, elbow touch, and bar oscillation rules. The crowd hates them and so do most lifters, I believe. Get the refs out of the contest!

- Even better

6) Extend our singlets down to the ankle. Stopping the meet for blood on the bar is a bummer and this would prevent some of them.

- Problem solved without goofy bodysuits...the IPF did it very well, theyre called LONG SOCKS.

7) Have pretty women in bikinis walking by the crowd with signs displaying the weight on the bar and/or other relevant information.

- I think you were joking here

Comments? Other ideas? I'd like to see our meets become 'more fun' and a lot less quiet.

Jesse Reynolds · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 05, 2006, 06:51 PM »

Chris,
What are your thoughts on having multiple platforms? I think about the FHSAA Weightlifting Finals. Now I know how bad of a job FHSAA does with certain aspects of the competition, but if you see the crowd at one of those meets they are not too bored because there is always something for them to watch with multiple platforms running at one time.

Just a thought,
Jesse