Olympics… It’s Just Not Good Enough

Well it’s not is it…? I have been riveted to my screen during this years Olympics, I have cheered and watched with my mouth wide open, stayed up until almost 4:00am watching the women’s marathon and Paula Radcliff’s excruciating completion of a race she was unprepared for. Watched as UK athlete’s and sporting hopefuls worked there buts of to put Great Britain just over a week into the games at 3 position of the medals tables, unable to believe that we are still on the front page and climbing.

So what is it that is not good enough? Well my husband and I and many of our friends have all posed the question….. “Why is it that other countries are able to achieve phenomenal success in sporting championships and we (Great Briton) are always watching the success go by?

Well we did discuss that maybe the reason that Chinese do well is because their government hold their parents captive and the lives of their family and themselves is at risk if they don’t perform. Or that the Americans know that it is all milk and honey when they get back home and they are truly celebrated. Whilst we had a laugh we all unanimously agreed that one this and one thing only makes the biggest difference and this is…… investment!

I felt ashamed and angered and I listened to Kate Read who ran the 10,000m who said that she had “No support, no physiotherapy and no lottery funding”. Sounds about right!!! There must be better investment into the success of our sporting teams, better facilities (stop selling of the leisure centres and land), better training (use those that can… Linford Christie is a great example), link sports to education (they do it in America.. if you don’t have the grades you can’t compete). It’s time we sorted this out. Too often programmes to engage new talent are under funded, lasting 6 months or a year or so and then they fizzle out and the talent that they were nurturing fizzles out too.

If we really want to compete on an international level then we need to look at

what is working well or other countries and model what they do, investing in the infrastructure that is required to produce quality, consistent altheletes. Maybe…just maybe this might be one of the many answers to helping resolve the youth crime and youth disengagement that we see on our streets today.

I take nothing at all away from the outstanding performances of the athletes I have eagerly watched and cheered on our screens, and yes I was willing both of the athletes who went after gymnastic bronze medalist Louis Smith to fall and I did laugh and jump when they did, Hell I wanted the boy to win a medal and he did!! I feel excited about the prospects of 2012…. but somethings got to change and I think that it might be that the powers that be take British sporting seriously and stop short changing those who work tireless to bring home the medals for their country!

Dwain Chambers a Justice or Injustice?

So this debate has been going on for a little while now and lots of people have waded in with their views. I’ve kinda kept out of it but it’s starting to bug me so I’ve decided to comment.

I understand that emotions are running high and that everyone has an opinion so here’s mine! I do not condone cheating or the use of drugs, there is a great responsibility placed on all of us whether we are in the spotlight or not to be a positive example to others. So here is my thought!

Dwain Chambers was found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs in order to achieve the success he experienced at within athletics’s. He initially tried to cover up what he had done (I have no doubts that he was aided) and he was sentenced, served his sentence and had returned to the world of sport to prove that he can achieve without the drugs. He made expressed that he felt that most who achieved a gold medal in the world of athletics’s were using drugs.

So here we go, I think that Dwain was unwise to make the comments that he did, however, as someone who has been within the industry he most probably has some insight about some of the people he has trained and worked with. Drugs are most probably common in some circles. Funny, whilst I completely believe that Dwain has to take responsibility for his actions and choices, I also believe that there must have been a coach or trainer who would have been involved and we just don’t seem to be talking about them.

Here’s where I get frustrated, Dwain Chambers has served his time and everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone is talking about the influence and affects on the younger generation. Hmm so what of Amy Winehouse who is a wino and drug taker who can’t even perform properly she’s so lambasted yet we are awarding her with 5 Grammy’s and acclaiming her music. Great example! What of Kate Moss who is another druggie, who’s drug habit is knowingly in the public eye, yet she’s still the face of Rimmel London and has been completely forgiven of her misdemeanors but is the face of UK modelling. Sorry??? Then Pete Dogherty who although he’s been to court several times for his drug taking, he’s still selling music and gets off with a slap on the wrist every time.

So how do we get this sooo wrong. A guy who has served his time admitted his offense and wants to now prove that he has the skill and talent and he can get a medal without drugs getting such a hard time. Yet three people who influence youth culture substantially who are drug takers and alcoholics can be exempted from all responsibility and in-fact receive plenty of publicity without calls for them to step away from the limelight.

It’s a bit messed up if you ask me. One rule for one and one rule for the other!!!

For me Dwain Chambers deserves a second chance, just like the rest of us! But hey we all have our own oppinions

Poor McClaren

I’ve been meaning to blog about this for days…. Poor McClaren!!

Let’s be honest he never had a hope in hell did he really, but he tried, he really did try. What will England do now? Who know’s… but one thing we do know, McClaren won’t be leading them next season will he now?