Around 2003, some bright spark at a newspaper started talking about a golden generation. A new wave of talented young sportspeople who would beat the best the world had to offer and bring glory back to these shores. These journalist were right, there was a golden generation coming to the fore, but they got completely the wrong sport. The golden generation did not consist of Lampard, Gerrard, Terry and Rooney. The real golden generation was Mark Cavendish, Victoria Pendleton, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy. Between them they have won 12 olympic gold medals, been multiple world champions, broke world records, won nearly 30 stages in the Tour De France, won the green jersey and even won the yellow jersey. They have dominated two olympiads, confounded the rest of the world, been model professionals and inspired a new generation to take up the sport. We are just starting to see this golden generation go gently into that dark night, but what a glorious day it has been. Seeing Sir Chris and Victoria Pendleton racing yesterday was the most emotional moment i've ever seen in sport. I hope they get the recognition they so richly deserve, but i'm worried that in 20 years time Wayne Rooney will be held in higher regard and better remembered than any of our cycling heroes. Well, he wont be by me.
Good post Wise! People certainly have short memories but I think there are very solid foundations with Cycling. We already have Kenny, Trott and co to carry on the great work!
Cavendish is still young enough for another games. Watching him at the Velodrome, you could see he wanted to be out there. Don't rule out him taking Hoy's place in the sprint team.
Spent the last 36 hours or so in London (wonder why?), so I'm only now just catching up with posts on here. Good to read that a few of you are no longer cynics. But then I was always confident that many cynics would be converted. I've lost count how many people I know that have said something along the lines of "I wish I had tickets now" or "What chances I could grap myself a ticket for something next week" or "How great was that action yesterday", despite the fact that they've hardly said a single word in favour of these games before now. The football season could wait a little longer imo. Don't want this fortnight to end just yet!
Nicola Adams through to fight for gold. Not sure I agree with womens boxing, but if it's in hope GB get medals in it.
Of course, Cavendish started out as a Track Cyclist, but because he had great potential for the Road, he swapped. In the last Olympics he was the only track cyclist who didn't win a medal, and I think that might have affected his decision to swap to the road. He says he's got another 3 years outside, and then he's back in the Velodrome. I suspect he just wants to taste that feeling of being part of a close knit team and be a closer part of Team GB like he used to be. He'd probably have more chance of a medal as well - he's still without one. Incidentally, potential Olympic BMX Champion, Shanaze Reade also started out on the Team GB track, as a sprinter, and she only moved to BMX because she liked it better. If I remember correctly, she's every bit as fast as Pendleton and Co, on a track bike.
Just when you think all is well, there's always one member of the Great British Public who needs their arse kicked.
No that rule went a long time ago. All new sports must now be voted in by the IOC. I think that rule still stands for the blind olympics, and maybe the special olympics as well.
Showing my age. was hoping that the Brazilians would bring in the 60 metre dash on the beach whilst wearing bikini and carrying two pitchers of caipirinha. The womens avent would be great, not sure about hairy blokes in a mankini though
The Brazilians do get the honour of bringing Rugby and Golf into the olympics (I know, the IOC have lost the plot).
