The Sports Muffin Presents the 2008 Beijing Olympics Elimination Bracket

We here at the Muffin love elimination brackets. In fact, we don't even like College Basketball - we just like filling out paperwork. That's why you'll find us at the local DMV every weekend. So it seemed only natural that we drop the 2008 Beijing Olympics Elimination Bracket. Click on the image below to see the full bracket:

You'll find the polls for each match-up below. Feel free to vote, and vote often (if you can get around the cookies) - ballot box-stuffing in a Presidential election is a federal offense; it's not on the Muffin. Use any criteria you please. On Friday, we'll reveal the winners and move on to the Succulent 16.

Oh yeah, and to make everything work, we had to give Round One byes to the 1 Seeds (Basketball, Gymnastics, Swimming, and Track and Field). You can rest easy, USA Basketball, no chance for an upset at this time.

Basketball Bracket


#4 Synchronized Swimming v. #5 Judo
On one side, we've got attractive women in swimsuits and Jell-O in their hair (OK, Knox gelatin, if you want to be perfectly accurate). On the other side, we've got what can be considered an up-and-coming sport (though it's been around forever. Literally. God has a black belt). How long until MMA replaces Boxing in the Olympics?


#3 Soccer v. #6 Canoe/Kayak
The Olympics are no World Cup, or even European Cup, as far as soccer is concerned. Still, if you're a fan of the U.S., you've got an exciting team heading in, particularly young phenom Freddy Adu. Canoe/Kayak? To be honest, I'm not sure I could tell you the difference between a canoe and a kayak.


#2 Wrestling v. #7 Weightlifting
The Battle of Steroids! OK, fine, I realize Olympic wrestling is legit. But, seriously, how do the weightlifters pass the tests?


Gymnastics Bracket

#4 Cycling v. #5 Taekwondo
Nothing quite like cycling through thick clouds of pollution. Along the same lines as Judo, Taekwondo could see increased interest following the growing popularity of MMA.


#3 Baseball v. #6 Badminton
I think the real question here is - if David Ortiz were to play in the Olympics, which of these two sports would he compete in? Has anyone ever crossed over two completely different sports in the Olympics before?



#2 Beach Volleyball v. #7 Shooting
One involves bikini-clad women diving in sand. The other is derived from an anti-social activity.


Swimming Bracket

#4 Field Hockey v. #5 Rowing
My only familiarity with Field Hockey comes from watching Winnie Cooper in "The Wonder Years." I know nothing about Rowing, except to know that I couldn't do it.


#3 Boxing v. #6 Table Tennis
I see a real upset happening here. Aren't we over boxing yet? Does anyone care anymore? But Table Tennis! I want to see that on Sportscenter EVERY night. I'm not even kidding. Bring me the nightly Paddle Gems.



#2 Diving v. #7 Sailing
I don't know what's so interesting about diving - maybe it's our fascination with people jumping from high places. Sailing? I'm speechless.



Track and Field Bracket

#4 Triathlon v. #5 Tennis
This could be the worst Olympic year EVER to be a triathlete. How many people run in the triathlon? I have no idea, but let's say 100. How many people do you think will make it through the Beijing pollution? I say anyone smart enough to carry an oxygen tank with them. Tennis isn't as cool as Table Tennis.


#3 Volleyball v. #6 Equestrian
Volleyball - not quite as cool as Beach Volleyball. And Equestrian? Can we just scrap that, and replace it with Horse Racing? After all, the Olympics could seriously use some more gambling-centric sports.


#2 Softball v. #7 Archery
Any sport that involves Jennie Finch is better than a technologically-stunted one like archery (We have guns now - why do we need to shoot sticks using dental floss?) Unless the archers dress up like Robin Hood and his merry men. Then I am TOTALLY watching.