Dave wrote:big mervyn wrote:bazzaj wrote:I love the Olympics(dressage asides) and I think that the incredible performances of team Gb has helped restore and unify a bit of national pride that had been fractured by the EU referendum fallout.
Not sure about that. I find it increasingly difficult to disassociate "Team GB" from Team Little Brexit England. I enjoy the individual performances but absolutely despise the flag waving jingoism that goes with it.
The Beeb's coverage boils mine too. Can't stand the jolly hockey sticks presentation personified by Logan and Balding, and of course, there's Inverdale.
Hoy is a pretty good pundit though.
Team GB target minority sports that require funding that other poorer countries just can't match. It's all to improve their medal count. It's an ego trip and a hangover from colonialism. Cannot be bothered with much of it. Track cycling is a nauseating and truly weird event. Athletics is a much better leveller. Team GB's best athlete is a Muslim refugee. Love that.
You missed my point Dave athletics is not a level playing field with other countries less adequate anti doping measures enforced.
Say what you want about dressage but at least you can say it was run cleanly.
As for cycling, rowing, gymnastics, golf,tennis or swimming, where Gb has had success, I would not dismiss them simply as minority sports.
Not exactly modern pentathlon, fencing, archery or equestrian in minority sporting terms
If it's not football in this country or rugby or cricket people don't want to know.
Most sports have had participants from other traditional big countries in any case
Case in point I had actually heard of Adam Peaty long before the games.
I can recall the BBC news leaving him to a small mention at the end of their broadcast by the way footnote when he broke the world record a year ago, choosing instead to lead with extended highlights from a non significant division 2 football game.
Thats why he's not the household name he should have been.
Good that now they are all getting the recognition their darn hard work warrants.
Harder than most fruitballers in any case.