The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are currently underway in Paris, and, as what happens every four years, we are all now experts and the biggest fans in sports such as fencing, rowing, gymnastics, and canoe slalom.
There’s always a question at this time of which Olympic sport you think you could potentially compete in, despite the fact that you a) don’t know any of the rules, and b) haven’t been to the gym in approximately six months (but tomorrow’s the day that changes, I swear!).
But what about actual athletes in other sports? Surely they could compete in certain events? Well, let’s do a little thought exercise and see what sports certain Edmonton Oilers players seem to be a fit for.
And before anyone says it, no, we are not going to put diving as any of the categories. We aren’t looking at Vancouver Canucks players, after all.
Also no field hockey, because that just seems too easy.
Adam Henrique, Modern pentathlon
The modern pentathlon requires the athletes to compete in five very different sports: riding, fencing, swimming, running, and shooting. A jack of all trades, swiss army knife type of person.
So the Oilers ultimate swiss army knife seems like a great fit. Adam Henrique has been a first-line winger, second- and third-line center, been a member on the power play and penalty kill, and has generally been counted on for both offensive and defensive contributions. That’s a whole lot of different hats and does require versatile skills.
Evander Kane, Boxing
Evander Kane has been in 37 fights over his career (preseason, regular, and postseason combined), and I think everyone remembers the time he knocked out Matt Cooke as a rookie, who was public enemy number one around the NHL.
Kane has been in five fights since joining the team, which is behind Darnell Nurse (6), and tied with Vincent Desharnais and Klim Kostin during the same time period, so he is definitely a good pick for the team in this event.
Darnell Nurse, Marathon swimming
In addition to toughness, Darnell Nurse is known as a minute muncher, having averaged 22:43 per game in his career and 23:50 since Oscar Klefbom’s career ended, and going down on his belly to block cross-crease passes, almost looking like he is swimming. So it seems like a pretty good fit for an event that combines those two skills.
Leon Draisaitl, Fencing
I always find it funny when opposing fans call Leon Draisaitl a diver, when realistically he is much more of a dirty player than a diver.
Nothing shows that more than the fact that Draisaitl has a history of spearing players.
So why not compete in a sport where spearing opponents is not only allowed, but in fact the entire goal?
Connor McDavid, Equestrian
Plot twist: Connor McDavid isn’t the rider, but the horse. Which makes sense, when you see how many times opposing players are hanging off of McDavid trying to stop him while he is still able to pull off incredible moves. Which is exactly what the horses do in the dressage event, isn’t it?
Plus the other two events in this category require agility, speed, and endurance to avoid obstacles, which is basically what McDavid does anyway. Unfortunately, the horses don’t get medals for some reason, but McDavid has enough personal hardware.
And yes, I know Ryan Nugent-Hopkins actually owns racehorses, but that’s a completely different sport ok.
One Comment