Dubai What’s the greatest show on Earth? Is it the Olympics, Football World Cup, Cricket World Cup, or Rugby World Cup? The majority of Gulf News readers have voted for the Olympics as the greatest mainly because of its diversity and as it covers all aspects of the sporting world. The Olympics provides an avenue for the whole world to be united in sports. The runner-up vote goes to the Football World Cup as it has the element of an adrenaline rush. Here are our readers’ viewpoints:
“I have to go with Olympics. Olympics is all about the pride of participating, winning, and just being there. All the countries in the world can participate (and usually they do) in the Olympics and winning a medal in the Olympics is one of the highest honours in the world. Winners are respected and will be known internationally. I do not think the three world cups even come close to it, not even football. As some of the countries in the world are not very enthusiastic about it and even do not have a team to compete in it.”
Nasim Yazdani
Emirati
“I suppose that with the number of participating countries and people involved, the Olympics must be the greatest show on Earth. The Football World Cup is terrific, but it is only addressed to those who are devoted to the game, whereas the Olympics covers 26 sporting events including football (although it is at a slightly lower level than the World Cup due to limitations placed on the age of the participating players). The cricket and rugby world cups are too isolated to a few countries who have teams in that sport.”
Malcolm Kemp
British
“It is undoubtedly the Olympics, as it is a combination of mixed cultures and a platform to view hidden talents worldwide. With a wide range of categories listed in the Olympics, there is so much to view right from swimming to gymnastics and exciting races. Moreover, a win at the Olympics is a matter of pride for an individual, his or her family and for the country he or she represents. It is an event which comes once in four years, and every year, the Olympics is worth the wait.
Zainab Das
Indian
“Football World Cup, because it’s being played in majority of the countries around the world! It also gains more interest due to its leagues that have been played every year! It has produced some great names in history and people like to follow those individuals such as Pele, Maradona, Zico, Ronaldo, Messi, Christiano and so on. Overall, Football World Cup attracts people of all ages and it is an entertaining time when it is held.”
Mohammad Nizam
Pakistan
“Football World Cup, because it is the game of the world and has a massive following from non-football regulars. The viewership is the highest in the world and gets the greatest number of sponsors.”
Omar Al Busaidy
Emirati
“Olympics is the greatest show on Earth as the best from around the world come together as one large global family to participate in the events. Olympics are one event, which is understood and followed with interest by the whole world. The Olympic event cuts across geographic boundaries, race, colour, rich or poor and participate on a common platform. It brings together the most hated of enemies, even countries at war with each other, to see face to face and participate in the true spirit of oneness.”
Naveen Frank
Indian
“As a Gulf News reader, the greatest show on Earth for me is the Olympics. I have chosen the Olympics because Olympics is one of the biggest events in the whole world. Aside from that, the Olympics has all kinds of sporting events to watch. Many participants from around the world can participate in the Olympics and to represent their respective countries. I’m excited to watch it!”
Almira Cruz Sison
Filipina
“Obviously the Olympics. Just check the current global attention on London, the millions spent on security, the largest troop deployment in the history of the UK since World War II. Does it get any bigger than this? Be rest assured that any sport that has the attention and participation of team USA must be gargantuan! Have you seen the basketball line up with big brands like Lebron James and Kobe Bryant? Love it or loathe it, the Olympics is number one and a clear number 2 is the Fifa World Cup football.”
Nnamdi O. Madichie
British
“Being an Indian, I feel Cricket World Cup is the greatest show. Why? It is the second largest populated country, India treats cricket as religion. Every single Indian is glued to the television when matches are on. It’s a almost half day sports where the whole day is occupied. It involves a big amount of money now. It has many formats of the game like Test match, One Day match and now T20 matches.”
Ajeet Kumar
Indian
