Mike Downey : Olympics compel us to watch sports we 'd never follow . Comment: At St. Louis games in 1904 , tug of war was an entry -- at least the rules were plain , he says . Downey : I saw a point go on the scoreboard under the word `` koka . '' I 've attended 11 Olympics and still do n't know what modern pentathlon is .
Mike Downey : Olympics compel us to watch sports we 'd never follow . Comment: 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 .