Re: Olympics 2016
 

Cavendish says it was my fault, Viviani says it wasn't Cavendish's fault ... Viviani got up and won, only thing which matters really. Ironic though that Viviani rides for Sky which Cav used to (and Cav's 'best friend' Wiggins does).

Mark Cavendish: Omnium crash was my fault - CNN.com

Re: Olympics 2016
 

Not included, the bit where he asks if Cavendish should be disqualified for the manoeuvre.

Thing is, it's a perfectly usual move in pursuit cycling - and nobody is about to intentionally crash into another cyclist for the very obvious reason that they are as likely to come off worst.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

He's had a major brain explosion out there, and at the press afterwards. Sounds like he's calmed down and admitted the error of his ways.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

I see Jad is her usual angry self. :-) and dredging out be usual cliches. Actually I've seen many good losers : it's a cliche to assume that Aussies are poor losers. My office is a good example of that. Everyone loved to see the Fijians. Remember one thing : arguably Australia doesn't always do well : they peaked in Sydney just about the way GB are doing for London and now. Both teams spend money on squads. Australia did extreme poorly in 76 and you could argue it took 20 years to achieve it. Australia have ranked quite poorly apart from 1996, 2000 and 2004..The UK started with lottery money in the 90s and are doing well now.

There has been some good commentary. Of course the tabloid networks want to see Australia do well : people get behind their country.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

I'm actually surprised at how well the UK is doing. Mind the rule of thumb is the host does well at 'their' Olympics, and the next one, before fading away as the effect of the money runs out.

And on that, China went into this saying they were going to get "30-35 Gold" and a really miffed to only have 15 and be on track for many less than expected. They don't think much of Britain, and to have the UK above them in the table rankles.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

Why would you be surprised? The funding is still lingering. You only have to look at Olympic history to figure that out. And you read the wrong prediction.

Aren't you going a bit early on the China factor?

That lottery funding might need some re-distribution. Gotta sort out that football team. The English one that is. Rugby might need some work too. Peaking between World Cups is not a good thing.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

Except that the Lottery funding for Rio is up about £40 mill on the funding for London - it was announced yesterday that £347 mill of lottery money has been given for Rio. This was on BBC and Sky News and was the main answer to the question 'why are we doing so well these games'. e.g. They interviewed a gold medal winner in windsurfing who said his sole source of income was his lottery grant which enabled him to train full time for 4 years for Rio.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

bitter? wot the aussies? never!!!!

Re: Olympics 2016
 

I see Badge you are back to your usual self rolling out the thinly disguised " i am so superior " tabloid lines.

Of course Countries report on their own teams, blindly obvious.

I am shocked you are even watching the Olympics, how crass, how tabloid, you mean you have TV :blink: or gasp, gosh, media, how common :eek:

Re: Olympics 2016
 

That prize in this Olympics goes to Mark Cavendish. How embarrassing for Britain. :)

Re: Olympics 2016
 

Interesting. What Britain do well here is to differentiate the source of the funding from other sources of tax. I think the Australian government contribute about a quarter of that amount (its hard to tell as its not labelled like "lottery funding" and its not solely for Olympics - all sports).

Australia could really do with labelling a source of funding and distributing it towards set targets like Britain does.

Right now there is a lot of talk about how much is spent on training and sending Olympians to the games and what the worth is when you could be spending it on health, education etc. Mainly because the money comes from the government coffers - general tax.

It needs a separate source and label like Britian does otherwise you can't grow the spread with other things like health, education, roads, etc demanding more and more of the spread.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

Re: Olympics 2016
 

The "sitting down" sports finish over the next day or 2. Lots of gold to be had in the racket sports.

Re: Olympics 2016
 

yes Britain are so embarassed, well maybe some where for about a nano second then they moved on. Will you be able to move on beoz? do you think you will be able to rebuild your life after after getting whooped by the
poms (again)?
Cheer up
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/b...f7bb?width=650
its the taking part that counts:rofl:

But seriously, whay are the aussies such bad losers?
No Cookies | Daily Telegraph

2003 rugby word cup

Whinging Aussies are poor losers: Sri Lankan curator | Stuff.co.nz

Australia is a nation of the worst possible losers | The Roar

must be embarrassing to be the gold medal winners at whinging:rofl:

Re: Olympics 2016
 

National Lottery is a unique case - the government gave a private company the franchise in 1994 and has renewed it a number of times. It is a licence to print money and raise some revenue from the government who determine where it goes. After the Atlanta games (no GB gold) it was decided to put a lot of money into sport and each games the lottery funding has increased until now its £347 mill. Ironically the Camelot group which runs the lottery is now owned by the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund.

Institute of Sport funding in Australia has been slashed and slashed time and again and there isn't a lottery equivalent to produce a pot. Many argue that sport gets enough already. There isn't that in Britain now as they are basking in the glory of 18 gold so far - a welcome tonic to the state of the currency, economy and the post Brexit gloom. ;)

On targets, the only one which matters is that set by the BOA - their target was 48 medals in Rio; 50 before Wednesday 2nd week so job done. This particularly Aussie congratulates all the British medal winners, they've done well as they've not had to worry about funding and could devote their life to competing in the Games. They've also had the talent to achieve.