Olympic special

The Olympics are over now and I am sure that most of you enjoyed the spectacle like I did. It never fails to surprise me how wrapped up in the Games we all become.

• G*Nice
• Published: 00:20 September 5, 2008
• 

The Olympics are over now and I am sure that most of you enjoyed the spectacle like I did. It never fails to surprise me how wrapped up in the Games we all become.

I for one can always claim no interest when it starts but find myself to be an avid viewer come the end. Since school I always hated athletics and track and field and all of that, mainly because it meant that football was over for the three to four summer months. I had no interest in running and jumping
and throwing stuff, which all seemed so pointless compared to chasing a small ball around a field. But once Olympic season starts I reluctantly find myself caring about the fortunes of all the participants from around the world.

I can't believe that when the Greeks started the Games way back when, they could have imagined some of the modern sports though. At what point when we looked through the ancient parchments did we find women's beach volleyball? As spectacular that it is a television sport, it is kind of strange, don't you think? Same goes for synchronised swimming...

I mean, what is that all about? The judging seems to be based on the ability to look like you are drowning but maintaining a permanent smile. One thing I have noticed, observing myself and my friends when we are watching all these obscure sports, is how quickly we all become expert judges ourselves.

I know absolutely nothing about diving, for example, but as an unknown Romanian splashes down, there's
a cacophony of expert critique about the merits of the dive ranging from "nice entry" to "he really muffed that up"!
Another question: at what point in a young girl's life does she decide that she wants to be a powerlifter or a hammer thrower? I try not to be so shallow as to think that looks are everything, but does it have to follow that as the intensive years of training and dedication kick in that any care and attention to personal grooming and femininity need to be forgotten?

As well as being the best hammer thrower you could at least give a thought to a haircut that doesn't look like a helmet? Respect to all and everything, but the world is watching you.

It was nice to see the UK winning so many golds this time around but I wish we didn't dominate so many of the posh sports like rowing and shooting. This is a throwback to our class system, I think, where historically these were the sports where the real investment went through the university system. If beach volleyball can make it into the tournament, I am eagerly awaiting the introduction of street football with a tennis ball with extra merit awarded for breaking windows.

When this day comes, despite my age, I am sure that my boys and I from back in the day will step up and represent – and I guarantee we will bring back gold, for real!

The most amazing spectacle for me was watching the Jamaicans literally run away with the speed disciplines on the track. Watching the Lightning Bolt skin all the competition in the sprint was a joy to see and the brother was slowing down and showboating at the tape! How cool is that! My Jamaican crew back in London I know for sure are walking round with their chests puffed out because of this success, and good on them! Big up yourselves! One Love!

The next Games in 2012 are in London and
co-incidentally are being staged a stone's throw from my home in East London. I am not sure if it has the glamour of Beijing and I hope that security is really locked down – but if street football gets introduced, be sure to cheer me on!

Five ring-ingly yours

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