How on earth do they do it?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I mostly listen to the radio. The commentary is generally better and you can do something else and pause to listen properly in the exciting bits.

I think it's very sad to dismiss such fantastic achievements on the basis that you don't like the tv coverage. That's like deciding whether to be a republican or a monarchist on the basis of the newspapers.

N.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I think one of the well know tennis players summed up Olympus athletes, most of them anyway. They train as often and as hard as top tennis players do and what they get for it is a moment of glory if they win and of course being the best that their country can produce even if they don't. Some what different to a professional at the top of their field.

It would be wrong to under estimate the difference lottery funding has made in the UK. It puts things more on a par with USA universities etc. When we do have a success it tends to encourage others to try as well and the various facilities they need are increasingly about.

I don't really have any complaints about extensive TV coverage other than that they don't cover a number of events at all and could. If some one doesn't want to watch the answer is simple – don't.

John

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[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

I like watching most olympic sports. Whatever the sport they all have one thing in common you need application and commitment. Hard work will always beat talent, IF talent doesn't work hard enough. I especially like the winter olympics and watching the Canadian womens Ice hockey team, a tough, hardy bunch of lassies thats for sure.. The only sport I ever did was Mountaineering, even tried the Eiger twice [although me shrink says im better now ] and failed both times

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

 

Posted by not done it yet on 14/08/2016 12:00:47:

A thread on the performance of our athletes has, regrettably, sunk to the level of pros and cons of watching the Google box. We don't have one, don't want to want endless drivel on a small (or large) screen.

 

That makes no difference to the performance of our olympic athletes. They have already done superbly well. That is whether you might watch it or not. Remember, topic is their achievement, nothing else. If you want to winge, make a thread and see how much interest you get.

Or treat it like a tv & turn it off or leave it for those who want to watch to enjoy it

Some like the drift that inevitably occurs as do most conversations when face to face

& if you think about it you have contributed by suggesting that you do not have a tv because you do not like the content. That is your contribution to the drift & no one is ( as far as i can see) objecting to that part of your contribution. So why object others putting in their two pennyworth if it is not causing any apparent offence to the forum you can still make comments about the original subject if you wish. Or are you worried no one will care what you think?

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 14/08/2016 16:18:38

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 14/08/2016 16:20:55

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Michael Walters on 14/08/2016 10:51:21:

all citizens born (free or) dentured,

Oh my, the NHS has certainly made strides since I lived there

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the Olympics so far and am proud of the dedicated athletes who have been so successful. Team Great Britain has already delivered performances that we should recognise and celebrate, and I'm sure that there is more to come.

Like Sam, I sail and have enjoyed the coverage on the dedicated channel. With the onboard cameras and the computer graphics, sailing on TV has come a long way.

The lottery money has helped, but commercial sponsorship, money injected by government into centres of excellence such as Bath University have also helped to improve our performance on the international stage.

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

I am an Olympic level machinist. (At least in My mind, don't ask to see parts or the recycle bin.)

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Back in my day everyone was an amateur. The track and field had some sponsorship and often help from employers giving time off but our crew were fulltime students living on grant money that had to stretch to digs. books and food and fares to get to gym or river. We did a 5mile run daily, a lunchtime gym session and 2-3 hours on the river every evening. Coaches were amateur too with fulltime jobs. To save on fares i used to run from college to the gym and river – camden town to chiswick for the evening session then bum a ride back.

If the nation wants results then the nation pays. The contemporary medal hauls are good purely because of resources and coaching and selection of athletes by size/shape/metabolism for the right sport.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

In the members private bar at the royal norfolk & sufolk yacht club at lowestoft there is a fantastic letter from a member who won gold in the sailing before the war.

He won on the basis of staying out of trouble & avoiding protests etc & getting good average results in every race.

But. The real thing that demonstrates how the " amateur " shows up is that the series took longer than expected and as soon as the last race finished he had to pack up and head home so he would not be late for work in case he got the sack.

Therefore, he could not stop to get his gold medal and it was sent on to him

Can you imagine that happening today?

There would be an outcry

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Had a peek on the BBC website and they're in second, ahead of China… amazing stuff

I'm still not going to watch anything though 'cos I'd just put a hex on it.

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Posted by Bandersnatch on 14/08/2016 16:33:18:

Posted by Michael Walters on 14/08/2016 10:51:21:

all citizens born (free or) dentured,

Oh my, the NHS has certainly made strides since I lived there

lol, I got burned! can't believe i got that wrong.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Just been watching Mr bolt win the 100m. When he was young he was told he would never be a sprinter – he was too tall and heavy.

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