The European Mountain Running Masters Championship was held in Bludenz, Austria a couple of years ago and I was privileged to carry the British flag in the parade of runners from many nations through the main street to the starting area.
What I do is classed as amateur sport. What is an amateur? It's what the word Olympics used to mean; Chariots of Fire and all that.
Lovely photograph Gwil - you look so fit.
ReplyDeleteBut I do think we can be justly proud of Lizzie Yarnold, who has been so dedicated for the last five years and worked up to her gold medal success. It was a joy to see her and to see her mum and dad so proud of her.
I agree that Lizzie Yarnold's win was a wonderful achievement. Maybe she was inspired by the Jamaican bob team in Cool Runnings ;). Eddie the Eagle is another inspirational role model. It's all a bit like Doncaster Rovers winning the FA Cup. I like to encourage the underdog fan in sports. There's nothing gives me mores satisfaction than seeing the cheats being caught, to see the enthusiastic amateur or semi-professional putting one over on the millionaire gold medallist who later turns out to be a fake is a great joy.
ReplyDeletePat, Of course I mean encourage "the underdog". But the "underdog fan" too, why not?
ReplyDeleteI find Eddie the Eagle an embarrassment to us.
ReplyDeleteCome on Rachel. ETL is our most famous winter Olympian.
ReplyDeleteA great lot of snow on your last comment Rachel.
ReplyDeleteNo he isn't. Torvill and Dean are.
ReplyDeleteThere is lots of snow with this comment too.
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T&D had slipped my mind. Of course you are right.
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