Grass roots sports funding has been actually been cut in the build up, the promise of 2 million people freshly involved with sport (a line item deliverable in the original bid) was formally dropped 12 months ago. So my criticism of London 2012 is unabated however the Olympics as a concept and an event is great sport.
My personal view is that the Olympics should be stripped down to it's natural core events and held in the same place every year, say Greece, funded by the IOC and corporate sponsorship as well as a contribution from competing nations relative to the number of athletes they are sending.
The core events would not include football, BMX, Golf, Tennis etc but the original core events predominantly Track & Field, Gym and Swimming. This would reduce the economic strain on host countries and the ridiculous bidding process. The Olympics should surely be seen as the ultimate pinnacle of a sport therefore many events should be dropped as this is obviously not the case with them.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the games and have been impressed by the level of personal achievement and performance, even if some of these sports wouldn't make my selection for the 'True Olympics'
One such performance is that of Victoria Pendleton who has won multiple medals in Olympics and World Championships for cycling. From what I see she has been professional, hard working, talented and fiercely competitive, therefore deserving her level of success and undoubted financial reward that will follow her retirement.
It is estimated that her retirement from competitive cycling will be made comfortable by a set of sponsorhip and marketing deals which could earn her up to £1million a year, according to experts. With endorsements from Pantene, Halfords and Hovis already in the bag it would appear that all her hard work has paid off.
So why is it in every interview I have heard with her since her last race has she been bleating on about how hard it has been, how many sacrifices she has had to make and how much better her life will be now without the pressure of training and competing?
We know all that, stop whining and enjoy winning. You made a choice to be a competing cyclist, no-one forced you. If you don't work hard and make some sacrifices you probably wont achieve anything. She has obviously worked hard, what does she want? A medal? Ooh hang on...
She now has all the trappings of success and thoroughly deserves them but give us a break Victoria, most of us work bloody hard and make sacrifices, it goes with the territory, enjoy your success of a job well done but please stop telling us how hard it was. Some people do not have the chance, opportunity or I will grant you, the determination to follow a dream so don't rub their noses in it please.
Congratulations and enjoy your success.
Well done to all the athletes regardless of country or sport at London 2012, the obvious spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, competition and enjoyment has been the overwhelming outcome of these games. A few primadonnas have had their come uppance, but overall it has been great to watch. I do still struggle with a bronze medal being hailed as a win, not being funny you came 3rd! Maybe that's for another day.
Really looking forward to the Paralympics now.. Hard work, sacrifice and struggle anyone?
Just saying
