***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Volume 11 *****
Continuing discussion
To try and maintain some kind of logical order of discussion, if you start a new subject then reply to this post and remember to change the default subject header.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 14 Aug 12 at 21:02
|
I think there will be a lot of people who will sorely miss the Games. It's been a frenzy for thousands of volunteers, and something with which to occupy themselves over many weeks and months, and those that have been involved probably felt a sense of importance and involvement which they won't any longer have. The Games, which IMO have been brilliant start to finish, provided a focus which will be missing when they return to their humdrum lives, often unemployed.
Still, it'll be nice for London to return to normality for a couple of weeks before the Paralympics. I've travelled to work three times each week (Berkshire > Paddington > Canary Wharf), expecting the worst, but I would say that the mornings have often been *better* than usual, and the evenings certainly no worse. I don't know if there are more tube trains, or many workers took holiday.
I must admit I was thinking there could well be a terrorist attack of some sort but have been surprised at the very few "incidents" of any kind which have been reported.
I know it's not over yet, but well done Team GB, and well done to the organisers and volunteers and everyone else who made it all happen!!
|
...well done to the organisers and volunteers...
Yes, even including Mao Tse Zero.
|
I am writing in response to an entry by someone called Smokie. Either by design or careless use of words, he has manged to comprehensively insult and denigrate the Olympic Volunteers by insuating that they previously had nothing better to do, lacked focus, led humdrum lives and only volunteered to gain some sense of importance.
280,000 people applied to be a volunteer, only 70,000 were accepted. They were for the most part, outgoing, approachable, friendly people with a passion and drive to make the games the best ever for all those who took part or visited. Many took unpaid leave, or gave up vacations from jobs, careers, comitments and full time education to work with the games.
All of them will return to their busy, focused, hectic lives happy to have taken the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of history.
The real stars and heroes of the games have been the British public who have turned up by the million with humour, good grace, and a huge cheer for anyone competing.
|
Smokie really rattled his cage. Could be de-frocked if he's not careful. ;>)
I get the impression someone in authority's monitoring the interweb thingmy for negative posts.
|
|
I didn't think Smokie was negative: far from it. OTT response from Mike.
|
>> I get the impression someone in authority's monitoring the interweb thingmy for negative posts.
I bet he drives a Lancer estate. And likes WW2 Japanese fighter planes. Maybe.
Last edited by: Focus on Sat 11 Aug 12 at 16:06
|
I am writing in response to an entry by someone called Mike.
Get over yourself.
|
|
Completely wrong interpretation Mike, apologies for that, but I do know just a handful of people who have got completely wrapped up in it, and all credit to them for doing so. A lady of my acquaintance spent over 180 hours in rehearsals for the opening ceremony - that was a lot of time - and has stated that she's not sure how to replace it - that's what was in the back of my mind when I posted.
|
mike's post is rabid pro-Olympic opinion dressed up as fact.
As such, it's garbage.
|
I accept my interpretation was not that which you intended.
The unbridled hostility and animosity that greeted my small contribution is illuminating for any new potential member of the forum.
|
Aw drop your shoulders down a bit Mike ! Look at it like this, if you'd wandered into a pub you'd not been to before where there's a bunch of locals chewing over a topic and waded in with a comment suggesting they ( or some of them ) were talking fertilizer you might get a similar reaction eh?
Now, set your empty glass on the bar, what are you having? Come and join in. It gets even more heated later when they've had a few. Can be fun...
:-))
|
>> The unbridled hostility and animosity that greeted my small contribution is illuminating for any new potential member of the forum.
Heh heh... a sensitive soul.
Hang about for a bit mike, and you may get some idea of what 'unbridled hostility and animosity' are like.
|
>> Hang about for a bit mike, and you may get some idea of what 'unbridled
>> hostility and animosity' are like.
Lol. By the way AC, I know it's handcart and not handbag. Just being silly :)
|
>> The unbridled hostility and animosity
I think your imagination is in overdrive today. Save it for later :)
Last edited by: Focus on Sat 11 Aug 12 at 16:50
|
I am [again] writing in response to an entry by someone called Mike.
Get over yourself.
|
|
P is silent, as in "pool"!
|
I've had to drive into and around London a lot during the Olympics. The roads have never been quieter. It has been like a Sunday every day. Car parks half empty even on weekdays. Most of the time the so-called "games lanes" were open to all traffic as they simply weren't needed. Good use of money there then... Shops are complaining bitterly though. City centre retail turnovers are well down in the period. Looks like the warnings to stay away were taken very seriously. But of course it has been good for the economy hasn't it?...
:-)
Last edited by: Humph D'Bout on Sat 11 Aug 12 at 11:18
|
|
The economy's gone to hell in a handbag anyway - the feelgood factor at the moment is sky high though.
|
>> The economy's gone to hell in a handbag anyway
In a HANDBAG? (Lady Bracknell, The Importance of being Earnest)
|
|
Mrs Thatcher's handbag perhaps?
|
>> empty even on weekdays. Most of the time the so-called "games lanes" were open to
>> all traffic as they simply weren't needed. Good use of money there then... >>
>> :-)
>>
The games lanes are required as a condition of getting the Games. As are many of the facilities. So in essence it is pointless criticising parts of the package - you either take the whole package or don't.
I was/am a supporter of the don't camp for bidding to host Olympics anywhere in the world - unless you are a mega-rich country with nothing better to do with your money.
That or the Olympics committee see sense and stop demanding their silly "minimum commitments".
|
IIRC the lanes were required after competitors/officials were stuck in traffic at one venue.
Sydney?
|
|
Look I'm glad it has gone well and even I admit to some "feel good" as a result. The quiet streets have helped me to go about my business in a very relaxed manner, so for me that's all good. Just thought it worth a mention that there are those though for whom it has caused some considerable commercial difficulty. Speaking to a group of central London retailers last week they were all reporting a similar averagely 40% downturn on their forecasted sales in the period. The influx of tourists just didn't happen. I also received a text from a well known central London hotel I fairly regularly use which was offering rooms at half price to rustle up business last week. I didn't avail myself of it as the traffic was so light as to make it feasable to commute. Every silver lining has a cloud so to speak...
|
Humph,
Were non-olympic oriented tourists expected to increase, remain the same as previous years or go down? Surely the general expectation must have been that unless you are going to the Games it would be the wrong time to be in London. And presumably if one was going to the games then you wouldn't be spending much time wandering around?
However, I'd have thoguht that if someone had wanted to go to London for tourism this year, they would have just chosen a different period, rather than decided not to come at all.
I wouldn't be surprised if tourism int he next few weeks was up on previous year with an overall gain for he whole summer as a total.
However, in recent years the UK seems to have become a place where its always a good day for bad news. Talk about a population who can see the bad or downside of anything and everything....
|
|
Heh heh true ! I remember a few years back on "another" car based forum, an experiment was tried by one Ugly Pug where two threads were simultaneously started. One was titled "Bad news for British motorists" and the other "Good news for British motorists". Neither had any message content as I recall. The amusing thing though which entirely supports your theory was that the "Bad news" thread was clicked on far more often than the "Good news" one !
|
>> IIRC the lanes were required after competitors/officials were stuck in traffic at one venue.
>>
>> Sydney?
"Dubbed "Zil" lanes after Soviet roads reserved for black limousines carrying senior Communist party members, the specially designated lanes were introduced after athletes became stranded in traffic jams at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics."
www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/25/oly-transport-adv-idUSL6E8IPEBA20120725
|
Mo Farah in the 5000m last night. What can I say. Sensational. I thought he might struggle to stay in front, but the man is at the top of his game. I do a bit of running so I know how good that is. A hard track for distance runners and the previous race didn't stop him. A four minute last lap. I've never heard such a roar from a crowd.
Glad I've recorded the best races, I'll remember this for a long time. My only regret is that I only recorded half of David Rudisha's race as I didn't realise what a landmark it would be. And if I could look like that when I'm running I'd be very happy.
Blake was most impressive in the 100m relay. The way he went around that curve to get Usain Bolt the lead was scary.
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 01:10
|
>> Mo Farah in the 5000m last night. What can I say. Sensational.
+1
>> A four minute last lap.
Wow, he must have built up quite a lead :)
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 01:10
|
|
Certainly couldn't accuse him of slacking.
|
Who was the lady with Mo Farah's daughter in the audience after the end of the race? His missus is about to have twins so perhaps it wasn't her, but far from congratulating him on the race she seemed to be giving him a serious talking-to about something. News of the impending twins perhaps.
One imagines his life is a bit complicated at the moment with hustlers crowding round and promising the earth... 'Just sign here, you won't regret it...' These matters are far from simple to a bureaucrat or poncy intellectual, let alone someone who does nothing but run all the time. Ask a racing driver what it's like looking like a big fat cashcow for bloodsucking business types.
|
|
Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden? Most of the runners have yellow shoes. But some don't. Are the ones without yellow shoes being penalised or descriminated against in some way? We should be told.
|
>> Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden?
Mine are like that - they were £20 cheaper than the same model in a boring colour. They're obviously just trying to save money :)
|
>> >> Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden?
>>
>> Mine are like that - they were £20 cheaper than the same model in a
>> boring colour. They're obviously just trying to save money :)
I think I'll buy a pair. Might make me go faster :)
|
>> I think I'll buy a pair. Might make me go faster :)
It's a well-known scientific fact that yellow cars go faster. One of those Lancia 4wd off the peg Turbo rally cars outside the garage the other day in bright yellow, a customer car. Much prized and notoriously quick car but I would be circumspect about trying to go fast in one. They are so short, I'd be afraid of being too slow...
The garage chap's Nissan Highline was in sober all black with black windows and taillights, and is I am sure driven accordingly.
|
>> Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden?
Yellow shoes... Mmmmmm...
(Drools like Homer Simpson and wonders how much they want for leather-upper ones in Portobello Road)
|
>> >> Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden?
They are designed to make fashion victims easy to spot after the Olympics. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Sun 12 Aug 12 at 16:45
|
>> Who was the lady with Mo Farah's daughter in the audience after the end of
>> the race? His missus is about to have twins so perhaps it wasn't her, but
>> far from congratulating him on the race she seemed to be giving him a serious
>> talking-to about something.
That was Mrs Mo, I got the impression she was not too pleased about Mo getting daughter Mo too involved in the press scrum.
|
>> Anyway, what's all this thing for yellow shoes all of a sudden?
Not like you, Humph. to have the slightest interest in shoes! ;-)
|
>>Not like you...
Just wondering if there's a quid in it somewhere....y'know...
:-)
|
HUMPH'S YELLOW SHOE EMPORIUM
Hurry hurry - stylish spikes and pampooties in tasteful yellow-burnished threatened-species-hide for formal and informal occasions - competitive prices while stocks last!!!
'Perfectly coloured footwear for governmental cocktail parties and receiving petitioners' (Rev. Canaan Banana)
'I always wore Humph's yellow gym shoes when driving my racing Bugattis' (J. Lemon Burton)
|
Firstly many congrats to Mo Farah, firstly on doing the 10 and 5 k double, a fairly unique feat.... Just wondering though, it was mentioned that in the Triathlon that alaister Brownlee, did his 10 k run in just 80 seconds more than Mo, this having swam 1.5km and a 40 km bike race, surely he'd be quicker than Mo, if he hadn't done the feats ?
That said what a fantastic games and achievement by little old GB boys and girls, you done us proud
|
The poor guy was made to appear in a suit outside No 10 earlier today for a photocall with the pm and a couple of others.
Naff of the pm I thought, and a pain for Farah. Ostensibly to do with starving children. But they won't benefit from the photo.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 00:37
|
>> surely he'd be quicker than Mo, if he hadn't done the feats ?
Some discussion of that in the previous volume, starting here:
www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?t=11510&m=256437&v=e
|
No not the top , the bottom.
It shows that 85 countries have at least one medal.
So lots of parties for countries like Uganda.
|
|
So far, one word - underwhelming.
|
|
Did not expect closing ceremony to be as good as opening ceremony but it is worse than what I thought it would be.
|
|
Russell er, copulating Brand FFS... someone is taking it and I have had to leave the room. They want to compensate for the opening ceremony with a dull, dire farrago. Oh dearie me. How British.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Sun 12 Aug 12 at 22:45
|
I had hoped that it would be a showpiece to get the athletes in the mood for an all-night farewell party. They deserve it.
Probably Horlicks and slippers so far.
Hold it!
Eric Idle has brightened things up a bit and the crowd loves it.
|
When George Michael came on my daughter said "at last, someone Britain can be proud of", with her tongue firmly in cheek - made me laugh out loud. I never liked him before and he hasn't got any better.
But on the whole, when I think back over what some countries have put on, this is actually pretty good. Mrs just said it's supposed to be the disco after the wedding. I can see that.
|
Queen performing with a 'bisexual' lead singer.
That's a novelty ;-)
|
>> Queen performing with a 'bisexual' lead singer.
And Dr Emmett Brown playing the guitar instead of Brian May.
|
>the disco after the wedding.
Perfect.
|
|
Aw crap - dad's gone and started dancing :-(
|
Overall I loved it. These ceremonies tend towards the anticlimactic anyway, but this was good.
The Chilean and Brasilian commentators loved it, and it was well thoguht of. And I enjoyed it.
Proud of the whole Olympics and the impact its had, and the perception of the rest of the world.
No doubt it will be a little spoiled over the next few days and the whinging brits all detail how they could have done it better, and exhibiting their own intellectual snobbery.
But I loved it. Well done to all involved.
|
>Proud of the whole Olympics and the impact its had, and the perception of the rest of the world.
So am I, but that ceremony was not the best we could do was it?
George Michael, "Russell er, copulating Brand FFS", the Spice Girls and yet more Beatles tracks.
We could have done better.
>No doubt it will be a little spoiled over the next few days and the whinging brits..
Sadly that is true.
Am I the only one wondering why Queen didn't end with "We are the Champions"?
|
>>Am I the only one wondering why Queen didn't end with "We are the Champions"?
I wasn't, but I am now.
|
Just finished. How can you not be proud of that?
And Daltrey is wearing well.
|
Shudder. But always was a music snob. There were a couple of good moments, but most of it was very dull to me.
Of course they had to do something. And if what FMR says is really accurate, perhaps I have misjudged world musical taste. Silly old fool.
Fingers crossed, eh?
|
We enjoyed it. Eric Idle bit was very funny.
Spice Girls were dreadful in my eyes, although my missus disagreed...and I agree with the comment about Russell Brand, why oh why was he there?
Overall it was a 'yes'.
|
|
No wonder Brenda sent the ginger one!
|
I don't spend long looking at the many photos of her printed daily in my comic, but I have an impression that the Duchess of Cambridge is prettier than Miss Brazil.
Remarks along those lines are not often approved, but herself muttered something indicating possible agreement. Are we wrong, or blinded by some nationalistic emotion?
|
|
kudos to the Atheletes, they did their countries proud! - but dear oh dear! what the heck was that dis-jointed, noisy, shambles that they tried to pass- off as a "closing ceremony"? - We would have been better thought of if we had paid for all the teams to travel home! and it would have been cheaper! - I bet Brazil will have learnt alot tonight!"
|
p.s
why was everything wrapped in Newspaper at the start? was it to signify that we were "wrapping things up" or a subliminal message that we like Fish n Chips?
|
Weird start, yeah what was with all the newspaper, whilst some lady murdered the opening song.
Then it got a little better, til George Michaels second song, never heard of it before, he'd have been better off singing lead with Queen, !! How come no one decent from the 80's where we're The Jam, prob declined, and The Clash, with Londons calling, probably ditto, but they could have done a montage by someone. Then no Rolling Stones Song, Sabbath or , Zepplin and it was finished off with a non known Who song, as Pinball Wizzard had already been sung.
Nice fireworks though...... Overall a FANTASTIC 2 weeks, far surpassed. My expectations
|
We loved the closing ceremony too. Yes, the music had some dips in the name of inclusiveness - the dreadful opening song, One Direction, and whichever Gallagher ape that was - and the 'Fashion' insert was a bit odd, but there was more good than bad. I thought the Spice Girls delivered their bit with style and humour, and Eric Idle was just delicious - I'd have gone home happy if that had been the end of it.
Jessie J went up in my estimation, too: she made a decent job of We Will Rock You, which was the right choice -'No time for losers 'cos we are the champions' is hardly in tune with the inclusive Olympic message, is it? - and I liked her bit with the two chaps in the Rolls-Royces. And Annie Lennox was magnificent, and the assembled athletes - who surely deserved a party - seemed to be enjoying themselves. A bit long, but fun all the same.
|
Where was Sir Paul?
Yours,
Disgusted of leafy North Yorkshire.
|
>> Where was Sir Paul?
Doing everyone a favour and keeping away.
|
> But what the heck was that dis-jointed, noisy, shambles that they tried to pass- off as a
>> "closing ceremony"? - We would have been better thought of if we had paid for
>> all the teams to travel home! and it would have been cheaper! - I bet
>> Brazil will have learnt a lot tonight!"
Brazil's offering was, if possible, even worse than the home side's performance. Dire!
|
>> So far, one word - underwhelming.
>>
I see that Normal British behaviour has resumed.
|
When are old pop icons going to realise they are just that, I used to enjoy the Who.
Loudest applause seemed to come from the competitors and crowd for the volunteers. Appropriate a few chosen to represent them all and receive plaudits. Well done Zeddo et al.
From an olympics cynic.
|
The spectacle and presentation were superb. The content was overlong, by about 2 hours.
Parts were variously toe curling, tedious, tuneless, and self indulgent.
I tried to like it, I really did. I even enjoyed bits including Brand's Magical Mystery Tour, though it's baffling that he was ever allowed to broadcast again after his shameful antics. "Imagine" with the signing choir was superb and had it ended there I would have been happy. Instead we got a geriatric boy band, does that really sum up British culture? I suppose it does.
Can anybody whistle whatever that sturdy woman in the bright green dress sang? I seriously doubt it. And she was flat. Or George Michael, who should never have set off on the second song, there was a collective groan when he stayed on.
I was never a fan of the Spice Girls so the fact that I enjoyed their song didn't say much for the rest. We all like Brian May, but why make him go on so long?
Saturday Night at the London Palladium, padded out to torture length. Couldn't wait for it to finish, and I felt sorry for the Brazilians having to perform to an audience that had already been patronised to breaking point for four hours.
Everybody in the stadium seemed to be enjoying themselves it must be said. But all those fixed grins and relentless jollity reminded me of the North Koreans' public enthusiasm for their leaders.
|
>> Or George Michael, who should never have set off
>> on the second song, there was a collective groan when he stayed on.
I wondered about that too - his first song was a reasonably big hit (although the Wham version of 'Freedom' would have been better), but that second one.... Perhaps more popular abroad?
Went to bed just after the Brazillian bit started, but up to there thought it looked pretty impressive. The road drill 'drum roll' intro to the national anthem was inspired :)
Last edited by: Focus on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 09:54
|
George Michael came across the smug git he always was (in my opinion). At least he managed to behave himself though!.
The Who and Ray Davies were good and I loved Beady Eye, even though the band are awful it bought a bit of Manchester to the proceedings and the song seem to go down very well with the younger crowd in the audience.
I am more annoyed I missed the Hyde Park show though, New Order, the Specials and Blur :(.
|
|
Forgot about Ray Davies, like him. Not surprised they preferred Waterloo Sunset to Yours Truly, Confused, N10 for the occasion though!
|
Closing Ceremony?
I haven't managed to watch the opening one yet, other than the occasional snippet.
|
>> Forgot about Ray Davies, like him.
Yes, he sang nicely. And credit to the Spice Girls - not just for doing reasonable renditions of some of their hits, but for doing it while standing on top of black cabs going round sharp corners at speed! Yes they had safety railings but even so, quite brave.
|
>>I see that Normal British behaviour has resumed.
"Whinging Pom"
"A person of British origin who will consistently complain about any situation that they may face. They are emotionally unable to deal with any sort of adverse condition without commenting negatively about it."
How dare they call the Brits that!!!!!
|
I quite enjoyed the closing event. More so than the opening one in truth. I found that a bit weird. I did wonder how they'd have managed had it rained heavily on Sunday night though. Annie Lennox's feathers would have gone a bit limp and Jessie J would have had to put a kagoule on or something.
Been in London again today. Streets still eerily quiet.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 14 Aug 12 at 20:58
|
Much talk of it, but will there be one?
Lord Coe is now in charge - that was a close one, the trough of public money he had his snout in was just about to empty until along came Farmer Cameron to fill it.
I've interviewed Coe a couple of times, he's hard not to warm to, but a bit lightweight.
I asked about the legacy for the North East and the answer was the usual stuff about a generation inspired, but where's the substance?
There's bound to be an uplift in the interest in Olympic sports, but for most new participants it won't last long.
I can't see there being much of a legacy other than lots of fine, uplifting words from the likes of Coe.
|
>> I can't see there being much of a legacy other than lots of fine, uplifting
>> words from the likes of Coe.
>>
Go on then - Name just the top five you would like to see as a "legacy" and your timescales for them.
Then we can see if any of those five are achieved in the timescales you set down.
Last edited by: John H on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 08:12
|
Well I thought it was a reasonable question Iffy :)
I don't know - yes there will be an initial upsurge in gym memberships etc, which will then decline. But perhaps there will still be an overall increase in the Nation's fitness, with long term benefits? More competition in school sports? More yellow trainers?
|
...Well I thought it was a reasonable question Iffy :)...
Yes, I thought John H should have pressed the 'new discussion' button, rather than reply to this one.
My suspicion is we are being conned.
Me: "We can't afford the Olympics just for two weeks of fun and games, good though that may be."
Pro-Olympic answer: "But we are not just getting two weeks of fun and games, we are also getting a legacy."
|
Isn't this thread more about the fact that we DID make a success of the Olympics when a lot of the doubters thought it would be a disaster, so now it's all over we have to find something (anything) to criticise?
Let's face it, there's no point in letting ourselves have that feel good factor any longer than necessary is there?
We are experts at doom and gloom, past masters of dumming down our own Country and can talk ourselves into a depression in a moment.
It's also much easier for the doubters than saying simply 'I was wrong, it was a huge success'.
Pat
|
...so now it's all over...
That's the point, the supporters of the legacy say it isn't all over.
According to the American athlete who did lots of stints on the BBC sofa, we are the first host nation to talk of a legacy.
It's a new concept, which makes it an interesting one and one worthy of discussion.
|
>>
>> It's a new concept, which makes it an interesting one and one worthy of discussion.
>>
No, old concept. Read what they were predicting would be the legacy of the Athens Olympics:
www.citymayors.com/sport/athens2004_1.html
|
The legacy is that we don't have 16 billion quid to spend on something else, and while I am unemployed I can console myself that several thousand pounds I have paid in tax has been used for it.
The legacy is spin, impure and simple. And the claimed cost to the taxpayer Will be massively understated, with large amounts being spent from budgets labelled for other purposes.
That's just the way these things work. Pretty well all big vanity projects are the same, with deliberately understated costs and exaggerated benefits, they'd never get done otherwise. I don't really mind, I'm just surprised that so many people believe the spin, including the people who peddle it.
When we're fed up with the Olympics, can we do Edinburgh trams again?
|
|
£8 million per Team GB medal, has been quoted.
|
>>That's the point, the supporters of the legacy say it isn't all over. - it isn`t!
If we can find the seven Camaroon athletes who managed to abscond, we could get them "Nationalised" and use them in Rio!
|
Nationalised? We do that well.
Mohammed Farah, a Somalian born Moslem living in the USA.
Great athlete, though.
|
>> Nationalised? We do that well.
>>
>> Mohammed Farah, a Somalian born Moslem living in the USA.
>>
>> Great athlete, though.
Farah's father was UK born and Somalia in recent years it's not been somewhere you'd want to stay. Most international athletes live a peripatetic existence.
His religion is irrelevant.
|
>> His religion is irrelevant.
Steady on Bromps - you could get into trouble describing a religion in those terms :)
Last edited by: Focus on Mon 13 Aug 12 at 12:57
|
>> Farah's father was UK born and Somalia
Same argument about him being British as Bradley Wiggins. He was born in Belgian but his mother was British.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 14 Aug 12 at 21:03
|
>> >> Farah's father was UK born and Somalia
>>
>> Same argument about him being British as Bradley Wiggins. He was born in Belgian but
>> his mother was British.
>>
Yes, but some people's brains can only see/think skin colour deep.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 14 Aug 12 at 21:03
|
>> some people's brains can only see/think skin colour deep.
Indeed. And tar all Muslims with the Islamist brush, and haven't noticed how many black and brown Britons there are these days.
Listen to Mo Farah speak. He's a well brought up East End boy. Even so there are a lot of perfectly respectable Britons who sound 'foreign'.
At least Zero is rabidly pro-Olympics and won't be calling British athletes mercenaries unless they sound a bit posh.
:o<
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 14 Aug 12 at 21:03
|
...If we can find the seven Camaroon athletes who managed to abscond...
Reminds me of a cross-country race in Durham years ago.
A couple of Russians crossed the finishing line and kept on running.
Hilarious at the tiime, but they had planned it.
It was in the days of the Soviet Union and I think it was the only opportunity they had to escape their minders.
|
Post Olympics - smokie