Mike Downey : St. Louis Games compel us to watch sports we 'd never follow . He says the rules and even language of sports such as judo are n't familiar to many in St. Louis At U.S. games in 1896 , tug of war was an entry -- at least the rules were plain , he says . Downey : Israel and judo , who knew ? I 've attended two Olympics and still do n't know what modern pentathlon is .
Mike Downey : St. Louis Games compel us to watch sports we 'd never follow . He says the rules and even language of sports such as judo are n't familiar to many in St. Louis At U.S. games in 1896 , tug of war was an entry -- at least the rules were plain , he says . Downey : I 've attended two Olympics and still do n't know what modern pentathlon is .