Recent content by flying_plum

"she", thankyouverymuch. And I really don't get why you appear to have such a problem with anything I've said...I don't think we're disagreeing. *shrug*

I really don't understand what it is I've said thus far that gives anyone reason to believe that isn't what I think.

I think there are two points of response to this. First, I do have a problem with the way national lottery funding is spent, and that is purely a reflection of my political views. I have a problem with £5.5m avg spent on each gold medal (that may have changed now, given the rising gold medal...

For the sake of clarity, as that was not my intention: My post was responding to the issue of those who have been defending GB's current success as the result of increased lottery funding. My point is that the increased funding is no doubt a reason for that success, but it entirely depends on...

I'm not really sure I understand what you're objecting to/criticising in my post. Are you under the impression I'm defending the British team? Clearly, money is not the only ethical problem - and if you read my post again, you'll see that's not what I said. I effectively said the increased...

I doubt Alberto Salazar's services came cheap. This is the thing with doping conversations though - the offence everyone takes is that somehow, there is the implication that the athletes themselves are not talented. I don't think, in most cases, that this is the truth. Obviously, different...

Agreed. I think there is no doubt that the increased funding (hey, I thought we were in an 'age of austerity'?) has had an impact on British sport. And I'm sure a lot of the factors mentioned in Team GB's defence are true - better equipment, full time training, etc etc. But, money can also be...

Re: Re: Ha, true! People really don't want to believe he dopes - my father in law, usually the world's most cynical man - was ardent in his support yesterday. If they've got him, there's no hope.

What's the deal with Bolt thanking his doctor? That just seemed odd to me, to namecheck your doctor, in a climate of doping allegations. Is he messing with people?!

Re: I assume that's directed at me. It wasn't intended as a lecture, it was just a thought following on from blackcat's meme. However, I think I've derailed the conversation significantly. Apologies, I'll shut up and get back to packing.

Re: Re: ok, the distinction between should reflect and do possess is maybe a subtley I need to let go of. But if fair play is not so vital to an understanding of Britishness, why do people think our athletes are so whiter than white? Where does that come from? That isn't meant to be...

Re: Re: It's entirely possible that it doesn't make sense...it's been a bit of a mad week. I agree entirely with your last sentence, and I was more thinking aloud, I suppose. I've been thinking about this all a bit more yesterday, trying to pull it apart (anything for a bit of...

Re: Re: Aaaah, malign influence, diluting the Britishness. Gotcha! Hahaha. Tbh, I'm not sure that makes a difference - it would be the same if the Yates were found positive. It's the Britishness of the riders themselves, not the team - though I think the British cycling links for Sky...

I'm not sure what your point is? Are you saying that Sky isn't really a British team? I think people conveniently forget that point. As for my earlier point; I'm not saying that we always DO follow the rules of fair play, but they are an important part of our national psyche and identity, and...

Although it's a parody, I think it's also a fairly accurate reason of why Brits have a hard time accepting their athletes dope. After all, a nations athletes are national representatives, reflections of that nation, and the ideals of fair play are very deeply part of certainly English culture...