in fact, just read ILD's post the other day about his experience of the olympics - you may change your tune
I am sure that to some extent you are right but how long will it last? Will all of these new found cyclists be riding around the streets when the rains come - you think they will I think they won't. Will all the new swimmers now heading down Riverside get up early and do it when the frosts arrrive - I doubt it but you think they will. Only time will tell.
again, i think you've missed the point a little. its not just future athletes who are being inspired here - its every day people. you don't have to get up at 5am on a cold tuesday morning if you want to go for a bike ride!
I have just read post 39 from ILD and cannot disagree with anything he says but that doesn't change my view at all. Before the Olympics I had no interest in watching Judo, Dressage, Gymnastics, Sailing, Rowing et al on TV. During the Olympics I have enjoyed some of the atmosphere and effort etc surrounding these events without having great interest in the events themselves. Now the Olympics are over I have no interest in watching these events again - why is that so difficult to understand? I go to the Playhouse and Maddermarket and watch excellent performances from low paid performers. I am in the minority. The majority watch overpaid actors in soaps. That is their choice. I cannot persuade them to change because they prefer to watch soaps rather than a good play - in the same way you will never persuade me to watch a triathlon rather than or even as well as football
If you look at one of the early posts on the dedicated olympic sticky, I was one of those grumpy old bastards, moaning about the BBC's wall to wall coverage, and how I was only interested in the football, now, three quarters of the way through, I will admit I have not watched ANY of the football to the end of a match, I've been too busy channel-hopping to see what's on, and more than once EVERY day I've been reduced to tears by the humble words of all the winners, mainly, but not only the Brits, and twice by ILD, bless his little cotton socks! Pride? If I were any more proud I would burst!
you do come across a bit grumpy! i'm sure you're not grumpy really. are you arthur smith by any chance?
Sorry but I do not think I am missing the point. Tomorrow Joe Public will get out his bike and ride to work leaving the car at home. He will do it for a few more days. Then a rainy day arrives. They get to work soaking wet and get home soaking wet. The next day rain is forecast. Out comes the car and the bike goes back in the shed. Simplistic? Cynical? Perhaps - but I bet I'm right.
Some people will be like that, but not all. People realise that these athletes have put in a lot of effort so they will start to put in the effort themselves. The olympics has had a greater affect on the country than the premier league or wimbledon, and will hopefully continue to do so. As I have said many times, it's down to what is done after the olympics by the athletes, the government and sports clubs.
I couldn't agree with you more Dave! The success we are enjoying now is partly due to the huge amount of national lottery funding that has gone into these sports since 1997. Cycling and Rowing for example have benefited from this funding and I am proud to have helped support this each week! The biggest single thing that society has to tackle is the socialist mantra that competition is bad and that everyone must have prizes! Competitive school sport has been ruined by this mantra over the last few years. When will people learn that life isn't fair and there always must be winners and losers and all people aren't the same! Anyway rant over but these Olympics have shown us that there are 100s of dedicated, talented athletes who work hard and give their all in the pursuit of glory!
Again - and I'm getting a bit bored with saying this - I do not disagree with anything you say. What I do find fanciful is the idea that the Olympic legacy will be that in a years time loads of kids in this Country will be running, sailing, rowing etc and there will be more of these sports on TV. I think you will find that in Barcelona all of the stadiums built, including the main stadium, are underused and falling derelict - some legacy for huge investment!!
If 1 cyclist or 1 swimmer or 1 athlete or 1 whatever has been inspired to train for the olympic goal, than that is what it's all about, supermans right, it is about the young people and their future. Personally I can't imagine a better thing to aim for, but it should also inspire all of us who have children, grand children, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters, to give them the opportunity to at least TRY! People today just so easily give up on things because it may mean that they themselves heve to put some effort in, getting up early to go swim training, or going for a run instead of sitting if front of the telly, that sort of thing. The Olympic ethic is; It's not the winning, it's the taking part, doing the very best you can! I've heard a colleague at work saying "if I hear anyone else saying that they're happy with a Bronze medal I'll scream". Well scream away you idiot, to be third best in the world is better than being forth best and so on. When these people start out they have to reach a qualifying time or standard, they may only just reach it, but reach it they do. They may not be anywhere near the best in the world, but it's an achievement, and they've made it. That in itself is something to be proud of, but then to hear some ****ing loose brain criticising them for being happy to be the Third best in the world at what they do is just pure unadulterated ignorance!! End of rant. ILD OTBC
Again Wonky I agree, the government need to make an effort to try and keep the legacy going by funding more sports centres and enabling kids from council estates the ability to access facilities in which they can take up the sport they may like.
such a happy chappy i still find it hard to believe that anyone, even people who don't like sport much, can fail to be inspired by all this and think that maybe, just maybe, some good will come of it all.
