Click on the 'Latest Programme' audio link (top right on the page, next to Andy Murray pic) for an interesting analysis regarding British sport success (or lack of it).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...is/7560358.stm

Eureka! - You've knocked it on the head and just explained to me why the Canucks in my Volleyball team are a bunch of lackadaisical twats! It's in their mindset to lose every single point; clap mindlessly at a piss-poor attempt; and have the audacity to shake each others hands after losing 25-2 and say "Good game." WTF???

Mind you, it's in my mindset to curse at every one of them loudly and mime a deadly serious decapitation motion which they smile inanely at.

Ain't cultural differences fun.

I think you've missed the point. Volleyball is just a sanctioned form of ogling. Come on, how can you take seriously any sport where the official women's uniform is a bikini?

I don't know if you've attended many large sporting events here (like an NHL game, for instance), but my observation is that crowds lack passion and it's more about meeting a buddy, having a beer and a hot dog rather than being vociferous in support of your team. It always seems strangely subdued and a little bit genteel.

The Canadians I've discussed the Olympics with think it is more important to have a healthy general population by encouraging participation in sport for everybody than for a few superstars to win a few medals. I can see their point. Vancouver is crawling with weekend triathletes, runners, bikers, hikers, kayakers, skiers, snowboarders etc and I certainly seem to see fewer lardy people here around town than in other cities.

Perhaps in Australia the population feels it is more important to be seen to be successful in sports on the international stage?

It's great to see Team GB members doing well after implementing training improvements and financial support for sportspeople, but why should we care how we compare to other countries in terms of medal tallies?

It's their inferiority complex.

Who said I'm being serious?

<Twitches Groucho moustache and duck walks off stage>

You must have been in the expensive seats. Most of the times I have seen the Canucks (at least, when they were good) I have been in the nose bleeds and the passion from the fans is not that different from the terraces in a Championship ground in England.

The one thing I do miss is the singing. I guess that is because most of the singing at a football (soccer) match is while the ball is being kicked around aimlessly in midfield. As soon as the team get onto the attack the singing breaks down into a vociferous roar. In hockey the puck rarely spends more than a few seconds in centre ice so there is no time to get much of a song going.

As for the medal count, does anyone really care that much? It's the summer games. Canadians spend the summer camping by a lake and drinking beer. If there were a medal for that we'd be nailed on certs.

If we don't do well in 2010 there will be hell to pay.

Have you never attended a Flames game?

At a Leafs game there is no interest in ice hockey whatsoever, it's just about turning up so you can show you, or your company, inherited seats. At the Habs it's another story; that's an involved crowd.

Too soon though to write off Canada at the Olympics, Eric Lamaze, the only competitor on more drugs than his horse, is in with a chance.

As far as I can see, this years olympics has taken place in a pool with Michael Phelps, everything else is of little or no importance to the broadcasters with the exceptioin of the occasional Canadian athelete who has come 16th in their heat.

CLAY PIDGEON SHOOTING IS NOT A SPORTING ENDEAVOUR - AND IT'S NOT ENTERTAINING TO WATCH EITHER.

BASEBALL SHOULD NOT BE AN OLYMPIC SPORT, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

Looks like Canada has a chance in the rowing

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/

they got a few bronzes today

Actually Canada now has a full set, one of each Gold, Silver and a Bronze.