. Downey : Olympics compel us to watch sports we 'd never seen . He says the rules and even language of sports such as football are n't familiar to many in U.S. At St. Louis games in 1904 , tug of war was an issue -- at least the rules were plain , he says . Downey : I ' ve attended 11 Olympics and still do n't know what modern sport is .
Mike Downey : Olympics 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 U.S. At St. Louis games in 1904 , tug of war was an entry -- at least the rules were plain , he says . Downey : I 've attended 11 Olympics and still do n't know what modern pentathlon is .