Cornwall Wins More Gold Medals Than Australia
The Aussie press is having a go at their athletes for failing to turn silver into gold, but what has happened to Australian sport? When I was growing up, Wimbledon was almost a suburb of Sydney or Brisbane, with win after win by a never-ending stream of players. Then more recently, the cricketers were invincible. So why has this happened?
I’ve just done a bit of research on London’s Olympic medallists and have found that one of the UK’s least populous counties, Cornwall, has won two gold medals; Helen Glover and Ben Ainslie, to Australia’s one.
Perhaps our athletes are doing better as they get a post box painted gold in their honour, in their home town. It costs us nothing, as we get bankers to do as a tax allowable expense.
And if that wasn’t enough shame, Wales, Scotland and Yorkshire have also got more gold medals than Australia. My adopted county, Suffolk may not get a gold medal. But here’s hoping!
The Anonymous Widower 
I think the Aussies are so pleased with themselves selling boat loads of there continent to the Chinese they have forgot about sport
Comment by Steve | August 5, 2012 |
You could be right!
Comment by AnonW | August 5, 2012 |
The Problem could have Multiple Causes. Among these that need to be looked at :
1. Aussie Coaches over the past eight years, were not supported financially and needed other incomes to survive. When these people, were offered Real Professional Coaching Jobs {with Payments}, who could blame them looking after their families & future. ACTION : Maybe Aussies should wake up & treat Coaches & Support People as Professionals & Pay them properly.
2. Team GB have some Aussie Coaches in Cycling, Rowing & some others. This is also true for other countries.
OZ a Country of 22 Million, has close to 1 Million Expats working & living O/s to follow their Jobs, Dreams & Aspirations . . . most of them return home {at least to retire} . . . Sharing & Caring with others is an Aussie Psyche . . . no reason to change this Sharing & Caring Psyche.
3. OZ has opened it doors to Overseas Team to come to OZ stay & share some of our great Facilities . . . The Chinese Swimmers, many Team GB & others have enjoyed our open Hospitallity . . . This all occurred since the Sydney Olympics. Many Olympians came to Oz early to acclimatise, and were welcomed as we threw open our Training Facilities & Accademies for their useage & learning. No reason to stop inviting & opening our doors to our Friends . . . this is Sport . . . fun competing.
4. Some Social Engineering at Local School Sport level . . . some idiotic people, don’t want losers to feel bad . . . so we have teachers encouraging the LCD {lowest common denominator} effort. Some people are wanting compulsory sport {ie say 3 hours Sport etc . . . would reduce obesity issues & help aerobic health}.
5. Look at the number of Aussie Silvers . . . many were less than a heatbeat away from Gold. The Winners had an Adrenalin rush, or were cheered on or that great Human inspiration.
6. London, the First Social Media Games . . . London the First Generation Y Games . . . some of our Past Great Olympians {Lisa Curry}, have commented on how young Aussies do not get pushed hard as the Old Fashioned Coaches motivated . . . Forbes Carilse would tell the swimmers when they were slacking etc. Too much Social Life with many Gen Y’s . . . whereas Thorpe etal . . . had a much lower level.
7. How do other countries overcome these Social Network / Gen Y issues. The Economic / Unemployement Issues . . . OZ is having it too easy . . . whereas others like Greece {Rowing} have a lot to show the World. I think this applies to Team UK {for too long UK, has not expanded its potential . . .} and Team UK, is the start of UK resurgence of its New Greatness again . . . London Well Done, & UK Well Deserved.
8. Australia is STILL a GREAT Sporting Nation, who fight above our weight. You will find Aussies, every week somewhere fighting like mad to do their best & win. A Fun Loving, Competive Sports Loving mob . . .
I am proud of all Olympians, all who do PB’s, and the fact that Aussies are Good Losers . . . not crowing about winning. Sport is Essential for integration of Refugees & Chinese & Immigrants to Integrate into a Multi-Cultural Society like OZ & UK {we both had our share of Olympians from other countries}.
Comment by Steam Lover | August 5, 2012 |
I’ll see what my Aussie sports physio thinks.
I also wonder because of the strength of the Australian economy, people have been able to earn a decent crust, without physical exertion.
Comment by AnonW | August 6, 2012 |
Don’t be misled by the Oz Economy . . .
On a small island off, about 500 yards off Gladstone Harbour . . . there are 8 LNG Gas Trains for 4 major Oil / Gas groups . . . 10,000 construction workers . . . living in Dongas {very small portable bungalows with two beds & not much else} . . . 1 mile long of dongas . . .
Most other Mining Jobs are FIFO . . . Fly In / Fly Out . . . sometimes 4 weeks work / 5 days off . . . What Famiiy Life ? What Quality of Life . . . out on a Red Dust Site . . . if you are lucky enough to be near a small town . . . rents can be up to $3000 per week . . .
Mining is a Rotten Quality of Life . . . the mines encourage prositutes to visit miners {how in the hell can this be good for quality of family life for OZ . . . ?}
Mining & the big wages {from $2000 to $4000 per week} with losing 40 % Tax plus other excessive costs.
No the Strength of Oz . . . is mixed. We have 5.2 % unemployment. With the change of State Governments {Conservatives in now} . . . Up to 20,000 people being sacked.
The average Aussie worker spends 56 to 60 hours at work for 40 hours pay . . . when you add travel to this work it is excessive.
Sure there is $A 400 Billion of Projects & Work in OZ . . . the Grass isn’t Greener in OZ.
BUT . . . Team UK . . . will lift UK Potential, and London should get great benefits . . . Showcasing the Positives of a Great Peoples, with Success & Potential. The people love the London Games & Fun & Challenges & Medal Winners & PB’s . . . so enjoyable.
Comment by Steam Lover | August 6, 2012 |