Mihir Bose's Blog, page 63
August 6, 2012
Bolt’s the enduring image
Evening Standard
Usain Bolt’s victory in the 100 metres has not only confirmed his status as an Olympic legend, but demonstrated that there has been a fundamental shift in our perception of athletic worth.
In the early days of the Olympics, the race that mattered was the marathon. Indeed, in 1908, the way the British reacted to Dorando Pietri endowed the race with a special magic. The Italian, who crossed the line first but was disqualified for receiving help from stewards, evoked such sympathy that he was given a special cup by Queen Alexandra and a street near White City was named after him.
The world then was fascinated by the ability of the human body to endure physical pain and suffering during a sporting contest. The men’s marathon may still conclude the Olympics and there can be no doubting the impact the London marathon has had in this country. Nor will Bolt, exceptional athlete as he is, have a London street named after him. However his success, and the billing of yesterday’s race as the biggest event of the Olympics, shows that what moves us now is to discover who is the fastest man on earth rather than the one who can bear pain the longest.
Usain Bolt’s victory in the 100 metres has not only confirmed his status as an Olympic legend, but demonstrated that there has been a fundamental shift in our perception of athletic worth.
In the early days of the Olympics, the race that mattered was the marathon. Indeed, in 1908, the way the British reacted to Dorando Pietri endowed the race with a special magic. The Italian, who crossed the line first but was disqualified for receiving help from stewards, evoked such sympathy that he was given a special cup by Queen Alexandra and a street near White City was named after him.
The world then was fascinated by the ability of the human body to endure physical pain and suffering during a sporting contest. The men’s marathon may still conclude the Olympics and there can be no doubting the impact the London marathon has had in this country. Nor will Bolt, exceptional athlete as he is, have a London street named after him. However his success, and the billing of yesterday’s race as the biggest event of the Olympics, shows that what moves us now is to discover who is the fastest man on earth rather than the one who can bear pain the longest.
India’s bad reception
Evening Standard
We may not want to shed many tears as Australia suffers with only one gold. But, if you have any tears to spare, save them for the Indian athletes. India, a culturally rich country, is a sporting midget - apart from cricket. Since it began competing in 1900, the world's second most populous country, largest democracy and the ninth largest economy has won a grand total of 23 medals, nearly half in hockey. It was only in Beijing that India won its first individual gold courtesy of shooter, Abhinav Bindra. London is unlikely to provide even that solace and the three medals so far means the ratio of medals won to population is 1:407 million.
This is despite the millions poured into Indian sport by Britain’s richest man Lakshmi Mittal. The causes of this failure are endlessly analysed by Indian sociologists but I am convinced one reason is the appalling leadership. This was vividly demonstrated at a reception just before the Games when the visiting Indian sports minister proudly announced that coaches who did well would get jobs as civil servants. Can you imagine Hugh Robertson thinking that this would motivate the coaches who guide Jessica Ennis and Co? Given such twisted thinking, is it any wonder the Indians fail?
We may not want to shed many tears as Australia suffers with only one gold. But, if you have any tears to spare, save them for the Indian athletes. India, a culturally rich country, is a sporting midget - apart from cricket. Since it began competing in 1900, the world's second most populous country, largest democracy and the ninth largest economy has won a grand total of 23 medals, nearly half in hockey. It was only in Beijing that India won its first individual gold courtesy of shooter, Abhinav Bindra. London is unlikely to provide even that solace and the three medals so far means the ratio of medals won to population is 1:407 million.
This is despite the millions poured into Indian sport by Britain’s richest man Lakshmi Mittal. The causes of this failure are endlessly analysed by Indian sociologists but I am convinced one reason is the appalling leadership. This was vividly demonstrated at a reception just before the Games when the visiting Indian sports minister proudly announced that coaches who did well would get jobs as civil servants. Can you imagine Hugh Robertson thinking that this would motivate the coaches who guide Jessica Ennis and Co? Given such twisted thinking, is it any wonder the Indians fail?
Olympics the perfect marriage of sport and nationalism
PlayUp
One of the fascinating things about the Olympics has always been how it emphasises nationalism, yet expects us all not hate other nations. In sporting terms, we in Britain find that difficult and we are by no means alone.
Yet these London Games have once again shown the Olympics pull off this amazing trick: drape yourself in your nation’s flag but do not seek to burn other people’s flags.
One of the fascinating things about the Olympics has always been how it emphasises nationalism, yet expects us all not hate other nations. In sporting terms, we in Britain find that difficult and we are by no means alone.
Yet these London Games have once again shown the Olympics pull off this amazing trick: drape yourself in your nation’s flag but do not seek to burn other people’s flags.
Russian’s Premier League fashion ambition
Evening Standard
If Mohamed Al Fayed’s Harrods had supplied the clothes for Team GB it’s hardly likely he would also have been appointed deputy chef de mission. However, Mikhail Kusnirovich is fulfilling both roles with Russia.
He combines his Olympic job with running the Bosco fashion label, which is also providing the kit for Spain and the Ukraine.
If Mohamed Al Fayed’s Harrods had supplied the clothes for Team GB it’s hardly likely he would also have been appointed deputy chef de mission. However, Mikhail Kusnirovich is fulfilling both roles with Russia.
He combines his Olympic job with running the Bosco fashion label, which is also providing the kit for Spain and the Ukraine.
London 2012 Olympics: Jessica Ennis leads by example at the heart of a very British success
Evening Standard
A few hours after Jessica Ennis made sure Super ¬Saturday will be forever ¬special in the nation’s sporting memory, I was asked in a BBC broadcast if this was London’s equivalent of the Cathy Freeman moment at Sydney 2000.
None of us present then can forget how the stadium gasped as Freeman lit the flame. And almost all of Australia seemed to find it difficult to watch as she ran in the 400metres. Like Ennis now, she was the odds-on favourite but Australians could not bear to think she might be beaten. On that rainy evening some even feared she might slip. But she won and you could almost feel the collective sigh of relief as the entire nation exhaled.
A few hours after Jessica Ennis made sure Super ¬Saturday will be forever ¬special in the nation’s sporting memory, I was asked in a BBC broadcast if this was London’s equivalent of the Cathy Freeman moment at Sydney 2000.
None of us present then can forget how the stadium gasped as Freeman lit the flame. And almost all of Australia seemed to find it difficult to watch as she ran in the 400metres. Like Ennis now, she was the odds-on favourite but Australians could not bear to think she might be beaten. On that rainy evening some even feared she might slip. But she won and you could almost feel the collective sigh of relief as the entire nation exhaled.
August 3, 2012
China worried it can’t live up to Beijing medal haul
Evening Standard
Yesterday’s events have given credence to a belief in China that they will not repeat their medal winning triumph of Beijing.
China began the day at the top of the table with 17 golds — five ahead of their closest challengers, the United States. But by the close of day six they were level on 18, with the 2008 hosts only edging the battle by virtue of having more silvers.
Yesterday’s events have given credence to a belief in China that they will not repeat their medal winning triumph of Beijing.
China began the day at the top of the table with 17 golds — five ahead of their closest challengers, the United States. But by the close of day six they were level on 18, with the 2008 hosts only edging the battle by virtue of having more silvers.
Beautiful game should adopt Olympic spirit to lose its ugly side
Evening Standard
Nobody who witnessed the crowds round Hampton Court as Bradley Wiggins fulfilled his destiny can doubt that the Olympics has put football in its box. It is no longer the only sport that matters.
I know it will not last — the first kick of the Premier League season takes place six days after the Olympic closing ceremony. Even Lord Coe, good Chelsea supporter that he is, believes the nation will revert to its first love once the Games is over. Nor is such momentary downsizing of football unique to London 2012. It happens in every Olympic city.
Nobody who witnessed the crowds round Hampton Court as Bradley Wiggins fulfilled his destiny can doubt that the Olympics has put football in its box. It is no longer the only sport that matters.
I know it will not last — the first kick of the Premier League season takes place six days after the Olympic closing ceremony. Even Lord Coe, good Chelsea supporter that he is, believes the nation will revert to its first love once the Games is over. Nor is such momentary downsizing of football unique to London 2012. It happens in every Olympic city.
August 1, 2012
What does the medal table say about your country?
BBC World Have Your Say - London, United Kingdom
You're clicking on the Olympic medal table - so what does it say about your country? Does it show wealth, repression, popularity of sport or just talent shining through?
Listen to the programme here
You're clicking on the Olympic medal table - so what does it say about your country? Does it show wealth, repression, popularity of sport or just talent shining through?
Listen to the programme here
The Moral Value of Sport
BBC Radio 4 - Moral Maze
The Olympics - you can hardly miss them. They're said to have cost more than government cuts in the welfare budget and with the rows over security, Zil lanes, empty seats and the ruthless protection of the Olympic brand it's perhaps too easy to forget that the purpose of all this is the essentially trivial pursuit of sport. Have we come to demand so much from modern sport that we've forgotten its true purpose and value?
The Olympics - you can hardly miss them. They're said to have cost more than government cuts in the welfare budget and with the rows over security, Zil lanes, empty seats and the ruthless protection of the Olympic brand it's perhaps too easy to forget that the purpose of all this is the essentially trivial pursuit of sport. Have we come to demand so much from modern sport that we've forgotten its true purpose and value?
Phelps is not the greatest Olympian
Evening Standard
Can we please get away from this pointless debate over whether Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian. Yes, he has won more medals than any other - 19, 15 of them gold - but that does not justify giving him the crown. For a start, it is difficult to compare athletes of different generations.
And it is one thing doing it in the same sport. But to compare athletes from different sports makes no sense.
Can we please get away from this pointless debate over whether Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian. Yes, he has won more medals than any other - 19, 15 of them gold - but that does not justify giving him the crown. For a start, it is difficult to compare athletes of different generations.
And it is one thing doing it in the same sport. But to compare athletes from different sports makes no sense.
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