'afternoon, X-Fans!
While watching the Paris Olympic Games earlier this Summer, I started to think what events the X-Men would compete in. My intent was to share this during those games, though some serious stuff came up. But with the Paris Paralympic Games still underway, it's still prime time to share the result of those thoughts for the envisionary fun of it all!
And lemme say up front, though X-Men Envisionings is based primarily off of the movies, this Games scenario works best if you imagine it with the characters' original (comic) versions, and/or the animated series' --namely for character and power span.
So let's get underway!
Taking a character-by-character approach, we'll start with--
--Rogue!
Put this women in any event that requires brute strength. Weightlifting is the obvious, but on the Track and Field side of things there's Shotput, Hammer Throw, Discus and Javelin. She'll conclude her rise to the top of the podiums with the Heptathlon -heck, the Decathlon! There are no limits for Rogue!
We'll jump back to Javelin to see the star of the Men's side-- --Gambit!
Though his specialty will not be in Javelin, but in the Pole Jump.
Let's see this man literally explode over that bar!
and speaking of bars, we're heading over to Artistic Gymnastics where two X-Men will compete--
--The Beast and The Amazing Nightcrawler!
Specialties: Floor and High BAMF Bar respectively.
Remaining in gymnastics but moving on to Rythmic we'll see-- --Jean Grey!
In a field of other telekinetics, we'll witness this mutant using her powers to keep her apparatuses aloft while physically executing acrobatics --one moment of lost mental concentration could bring things tumbling down! (and the all around final for TK Rhythmic Gymnastics isn't one athlete doing each apparatus in turn, but one doing all at once!)
Along with seeing what telekinetic finesse Jean can bring, I'd like to see her TK strength; put her in the 59K weight lifting!
Then it's time to witness the man with the plans--
--Cyclops!
Given his height and moniker of "slim", I can imagine Cyclops participating best in Track and Field, or in Aquatics (coxswain in rowing would touch on his leadership, as well). I also like the mentality that could go into either --seeing this leader strategizing over when to put on the power in individual swimming, or who should lead and anchor any track or pool relays.
and matching his prowess, in the Women's divisions we'll find--
--Storm!
I also want to see this woman paired with Jean Grey in Syncro Diving, Rogue in Volleyball, and all of the female X-Men showin' what they've got in other team sports e.g. Basketball -just try to stop that trio in 3 x 3- Water Polo, Soccer* --the works!
*Jean is actually portrayed as an accomplished soccer and, if memory serves, basketball player in X-Men Evolution.
closing things out where we began with a powerhouse hopeful, it's the Male divisions'--
--Colossus!
Hitting the same events as Rogue, just wait until this silver mutant is decked out in gold!
Which brings us to an interesting consideration as, non-armoured-up, Colossus could potentially -depending what of his physicality is attributed to his mutation- compete in the general Olympiad alongside homosapien competitors --the same potential existing for other mutants whose mutation would be a non-issue, be them only appearance-based, or such that their powers can reliably be "kept off" for the duration of competition. Though given Jean Grey wasn't well believed in that regard in Evolution, I see contention more than trust from non-mutant competitors.
Cyclops, possibly, would be the best candidate for duel-Olympiad* qualification, given how you can't really cite he used his powers on the sly -they're obvious, though let's face it: it would be pretty rad to see him optically propel himself away from the wall in the Backstroke, or up from the ground in High Jump, which would really be the point of a Mutant Olympics: not to set them aside, but to showcase their full abilities!.
and the wildness only begins with powersets and match-ups when you consider the villains are competing here, too --Toad would definitely be competing against The Beast and Nightcrawler in Artistic Gymnastics, while Blob would take the weight sports.
Just two examples --have an Optic Blast imagining more for yourself and feel free to comment with what you see, be the subject villain or hero --which Paralympic sport could be Professor X's forte?
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Predictions - Most Winningest Athlete:
Multiple Man (he can essentially compete in everything, including team events all by himself!)
Most likely to be DQed from even the Mutant Olympics for unmatchability:
Quicksilver
Most likely to be a tri-Olympiad qualifier:
Cyclops (Watch some Paralympic Goalball and tell me you don't get Origins: Wolverine Cyclops vibes. He'd play centre as defense coordinator, effective with multiple well-honed throws when it's time to go offensive)
Until next time, X-Fans!
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Check back on Friday the 27th when Envisionings finally returns with 2nd Edition Release!!
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