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TheRonRaffertyFanClub |
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Every 4 years I've followed the Olympics quite closely, especially the Brits. The first I remember was Melbourne 1956 but the first proper TV one for me was Rome 1960 complete with Cassius Clay. Over the years there has been some cracking performances from Ovett, Coe, Cram, Mary Rand, back to Dorothy Hyman, Robbie Brightwell, Ann Packer, David Hermery ...
Then in 2012 with all that hype and razzamatazz and stupid talk about legacies and the appalling cost of the thing, I kind of lost some enthusiasm. OK there was Farrah and her in Santander and the heptathlon and a few cyclists come to mind but the rest of the thing is just, I don't know, not very interesting . It seemed to get lost in a fog of showbiz, Coe, Bolt and self-congratulations.
2016 is even less interesting especially as we don't have a clue who is drug free and who isn't. At least in the good old days everyone knew Tamara Press was a bloke in drag, we had a good laugh and that was it. These days it could be anyone swapping their blood or taking some super training potion and they still look (relatively) normal. The best competition will be to see which competitor is the first to get dysentery from the plumbing in the Village or if the local gangs manage to kidnap someone important.
Maybe it's this "professional athlete" that puts me off. It's now the norm isn't it? The ones I remember all had nice mundane jobs and did their training in the dark before and after work. They were one of us. Competing for the love of it. Do athletes still love the sport? Or do they see it as a job? Or do they see it as a way to fame and money? Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting it's easy. They train at least as hard as their predecessors but somehow their successes don't excite the same. Probably some of it is being an ageing miserable sod but the joy just isn't there anymore no matter how much Jessica Rabbit beams at me from the csh machine.
So I will watch. But I think it will just be the odd highlights programmes this time.
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grimsby pete |
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I will only watch a few highlights, Certainly not half as interested in watching it as much as the last one .
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barralad |
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Well I'll be watching as much as I can. I love the Olympics and for two weeks become an "expert" in tae kwando beach volleyball bmx canoeing shooting and other sports you only hear of every four years. I dont get put off by the track and field drugs shite because in those other sports the sacrifices made by the athletes to achieve what they achieve are phenomenal and the look on the faces of the medallists says it all. I was proud to be British in 2012 and didnt want it to end. Fantastic spirit of togetherness.
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Rick12 |
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Will be watching the athletics and boxing closely.
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cmackenzie4 |
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I will be watching the boxing, I always like to watch the top Amateurs, I much prefer it to watching the pro boxing.
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TheRonRaffertyFanClub |
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Well I'll be watching as much as I can. I love the Olympics and for two weeks become an "expert" in tae kwando beach volleyball bmx canoeing shooting and other sports you only hear of every four years. I dont get put off by the track and field drugs shite because in those other sports the sacrifices made by the athletes to achieve what they achieve are phenomenal and the look on the faces of the medallists says it all. I was proud to be British in 2012 and didnt want it to end. Fantastic spirit of togetherness.
I agree with you there. That is one plus side to the modern coverage of the games Barra. We didn't used to see those minority sports very much in the old days, apart from the show jumping because we were always good at that. It's still focussed far too much on the blue riband events and competitors for my liking these days though. I'm already sick of hearing about that bloody diver and his hang-ups. Personally, I think there should be a lot more beach volleyball.
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marinerjase |
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Personally I love it..can't wait. Particularly interested in the Swimming. Adam Peaty nailed on for gold Sunday in 100m Breastroke, James Guy might surprise in the 400m Free. Also tbe track cycling,road race, boxing, triathlon, athletics, rowing..even archery. I'll watch it all.
If you let the issues put you off then they win. For every cheat there's 200 whos clean and put their life into being good enough to be there.
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northbankmariner |
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Love the Olympics, will be watching anything and everything supporting GB. I particularly like watching sports that otherwise don't get much TV coverage. E.G. Hockey, sailing, volleyball, archery canoeing and judo to name just a few. It is the greatest sporting event ever and every 4 years all the athletes reach peak perfection and you can only marvel at the levels and standards they achieve. Yes I want to see true athletes, it appauls me the amount of doping that goes on in the persuit of a dream gold medal but I still get a buzz when any Brit in any event medals or at least does a personal best. Cannot wait !!!!!!!
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KingstonMariner |
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Feeling underwhelmed by it at the moment. Can't even get bothered by the Russian ban/no ban thing.
One thing I hate is all the drooling over Usain Bolt. 100m does not impress me that much. It's all foreplay and premature ejaculation. Even 200m is much better, and 1500 can be enthralling. Heptathlon/Decathlon I do like.
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pizzzza |
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Will be watching the athletics and boxing closely.
I'll be watching the Beach Volleyball closely.
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