For Boadicea, Bearsy and any other passing Aussies

I just found this comment on the BBC Olympics website.

“I think we should start a new campaign called ‘Hug an Aussie’. After their dire performance to date – finishing second to the Poms – they don’t even have cricket to fall back on. Go on, find your nearest Antipodean cousin, give them a big hug and tell them not to worry as it’s the taking part that matters. They will thank you for it.”

Consider yourselves hugged.

22 thoughts on “For Boadicea, Bearsy and any other passing Aussies”

  3. ‘Video of Australian Michelle Jenneke wiggling her hips provocatively gets tens of thousands of hits.’

    Some compensation.

  5. My message to Australia: stop! Stop now! Finishing second, losing at the last minute is Germany’s talent.
    Our greatest success is always snatching defeat fromt he jaws of victory. Why, of why, Australia, do you want to steal our greatest skill from us?

  6. I’ve always felt sorry for Australians! Having to live in Australia always struck me as a continuation of penal servitude but then I expect they think the same about wild west Wales!
    So perhaps hugs all round!

  8. I do wonder about this hugging business. I know Australia is well down in the medals department but I really feel that a group hug from comparative strangers, and foreigners to boot, is asking for a smack in the mouth.

    I could be wrong of course, but Bearsy and Boadicea don’t strike me as being much bovvered about it all! 😉

  9. I appreciate the sentiment, but I can’t say we’re too fussed. 🙂

    Attitudes here are quite strongly against the would-be-elites who grab a motza of the taxpayers’ dollars and think that they’re the bee’s knees, deservous of worship and adulation. Your average kid who plays sport because he/she enjoys it is generally regarded as a “better” representative of our culture.

    There was quite a lot of interest in the Sydney games, but there is little concern about this current round, other than in the media – where most headlines scream about what we didn’t win! Tough! Do better next time.

    Busy today, possibly around later. 😀

  10. Hi Bearsy.

    Thought you wouldn’t be “too fussed”, I wouldn’t be either except this time it’s here and rather difficult to avoid, despite my best efforts!

    I have enjoyed the equestrian events and the rowing though.

  11. Araminta :

    I have enjoyed the equestrian events and the rowing though.

    Some of those three-day-event nags look very tasty – much more so than some skinny racehorse. Ethel and I are doing some intense planning.

    OZ

  12. I’ll second Bearsy’s comments.

    I rather liked the attitude of one of the competitors who said that it should be remembered that getting any sort of medal was an achievement.

    The media are complaining like mad and demanding more ‘funding’ – but, everyone here is no doubt of my opinion about that!

    One commentator (one with a few brains!) said that it’s hardly surprising that the rest of the world has overtaken us – after all many countries called in Aussie coaches to train their teams and we have just sat on our laurels!

    I try to avoid the whole thing – I’m a little tired of seeing over-indulged athletes bursting into tears because they haven’t won.

    As for the hug – I don’t have a problem with that – from people I know 🙂

  13. Dear OZ, have you any idea how much these “nags” are worth? I know Eff has an idea, but I think she is having a laugh. 😉

    Just ignore her, she’s a bad influence. 🙂

  14. Arrrers, there you go. Money, money, money again! Whatever happened to Thelwell? 🙂

  15. I must admit, Araminta, that when I first read this comment, I was of your opinion #8. I thought that most Aussies, or anyone else for that matter, would not “thank you for it”, except with a smack.

    Like you, I have enjoyed the rowing, equestrian events and of course the tennis. Tomorrow is the final of the canoe event in which Dr Tim Brabants represents Britain. He is the only Olympian we have ever actually met. He was in the room next to younger son in hall at the University of Nottingham in their first year and we have said “hello” to him once or twice. Son reported that it was very difficult to get Tim to join them for a drink. He was either training or trying to catch up with work. But his dedication has paid off. All the best to him for tomorrow!

  20. Sorry, Araminta, we went away for a couple of days and I missed your question. You’ll know by now that Tim did not win, but it looks as if his successor is there – Ed McKeever.

    Son and other Nottingham mates, who now work in London, all went to cheer Tim on anyway. Perhaps he’ll have time for that drink now!

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