rabsody

But it's all thanks to the Aussies that we're ahead don't you know:

Once, not so long ago, Australians were a proud people who walked tall with jutted jaws. The Poms were a source of amusement, a fallen imperial master weeping over a dog-eared scrapbook, its tattered images of Steve Redgrave, Seb Coe, Mary Rand and those blokes from Chariots Of Fire fading by the day.

As much as it hurt, you'd hear them say: "Why can't we be good at sport, like you Aussies?"

Triumphal, you'd smile, pat their bowed heads, and offer an almost heartfelt, "There, there, at least you've got Amy Winehouse."

Now there's not a hutong in Beijing you can disappear down without a smug cockney voice trailing you on the breeze, Bazza McKenzie impersonation in full swing. "Jeez cobber, what's happened to the Aussies, mate, ay? Bloody crook, fair dinkum!" Oh, the shame.

And there's no point telling them it's cheating to count Scotland, whom they can't even summon the energy to laugh at - until Chris Hoy is flying around the track on his pushbike.

What really hurts is the knowledge that, when they were down on their scabby knees pleading for any sporting morsel to be thrown their way, we came to their rescue.

Here you go, poor Poms, have our coaches, our programs, our secrets to success.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news...911573038.html

fraser

The team's performance has Australia contesting third spot on the medal tally with Britain, and Coates said the friendly rivalry helps the Australian team as well.

He said he would not be giving up the prospect of finishing better than Britain until the final event is over.

"Never," he said. "My sense of pride says we can't let them beat us.

"They may well beat us this time but let's use that as the incentive to get the planning right for our high performance (program) and our attack on London in 2012 - our friendly attack."

Coates does concede that Britain has good prospects for more medals in the final week of the Games.

Amazulu

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/ma...lympics119.xml

Vash the Stampede

China. Gold trumps silver and bronze.

tictac

More Gold for Team GB - this time in the sailing (laser)

http://www.skysports.com/olympics/st...008655,00.html

GB 13 gold
OZ 11 gold

meols12

Watching C7 News last night (don't ask me why, because it's so crap), they had an article on why we're doing so well. Their conclusion was that it's because we are throwing bucketloads of money at our sportsmen and importing the best coaches. Not an expert but how much did the Australian Institute of Sport cost to set up and run.

I was watching the heats of the Womens' 200 metres earlier, and the British girl finished 3rd in her heat and qualified for the next round. The commentator stated that she's done well because she became a full-time athlete last year. My thought was are the commentators trying to now denegrate our athletes by implying that they are only better because they have an advantage of being full-time by having money thrown at them.

rabsody

Yes Meols they will try every trick in the book to discredit us.

Cheetah7

I have just told my colleague that as much as I love living here, I have never in my life met such a bunch of sore losers.

He told me I should be supporting Australia and each time we win, it is a fix and nothing else.

I said to him that part of being a GOOD SPORTSMAN is accepting that you lose and do it with grace whilst at the same time, having the guts to congratulate the winning team.

I then told him that I suppose the gold medals won by Australia are 'fixes' as well. My god you would have thought I had suggested to kill a kitten or something.

I am not in to sport myself but neither am I in to being constantly told that my country is crap at sports.

Right, off for round 2 - he is sulking in his office and I am now going to wind him up like a clockwork mouse as I have had this piss taking all day.



And you know what? I can give as good as I get and tie anyone in knots who pushes me far enough.

moneypenny20

It just sounds like basic facts to me. Let's face it, it is the truth. The one's winning golds more than likely wouldn't have done if the money hadn't finally got through.

My thought is that you're trying to read too much into what was said

fraser

Remember the Aussies are the worlds best at giving it.
They can't take it though. Enjoy the moment.

moneypenny20

You mix with the wrong Aussies.

stuckinblighty

SBS newsreader just said...
"and Great Britain are in 3rd place in the medal table following Australia's medal drought"

sometimes you've just gotta laugh

Lee

ozzieeagle

I dont find Aussies sore losers either, they are very quick to congratulate after the event

IvanM

Australia have actually done well. It is just they are behind a nation that normally only swims doggy paddle when they go over to the med. Who know how we will finish but in was funny asking people at work if they knew who was third in the table.

Bring on the London games because this has suprised everyone here. Before London the serious bagging will start.

MartinLuther

Good to see GB doing well (hate the name Team GB - sounds trite).

Good to see Aussie doing reasonably well as well.

I think if I add up all the medals for the countries for which I have passports then I'm doing better than the yanks

Have you guys seen how much investment UK Sport has put into this Olympics compared to previous ones? Looks like it's paying dividends on the medal table. Let's hope the feel good factor perks everyone up because there's a few sourpusses out there at the moment.