The pollution in question is the pall of, who knows what , hanging over "The Bird's Nest", as the Beijing stadium has been nicknamed. So, the buildings and facilities are magnificent, but I don't think my (pathetic) lungs would feel very comfortable in that atmosphere for more than a few hours.... The authorities have explained that it is a 'heat haze', which might be true if it evaporated when the temperature drops - but it doesn't - pull the other one ! In respect of blatantly cheating, one British Olympic champion runner, who won by using performance enhancing drugs, was stripped of his honours, and consequently banned from competing for life. Recently he appealed against the ban - he IS our fastest runner. In the High Court, his appeal was overturned by the Judge -"It is for life " ! There was not one British champion who agreed that he should be allowed to take part this time, deeming that he'd had the opportunity to 'play it straight', and in fact, had prevented another athlete from having the opportunity in the first place. It would be more to his credit if he expressed some kind of regret, stopped being arrogant, swallowed humble pie, and addressed his efforts to helping talented athletes achieve their best performances without artificial stimuli, that would surely make much more of an impact.....Regarding the use of drugs to win - how sad that the original aims of these Games have been polluted by a few talented people who have no sense of honour, integrity or respect - 'tis a very human characteristic, which is fuelled in some cases by the 'God of Gold' - financial greed, as termed in Schoenberg's "Moses and Aaron", a breathtaking epic in which I was a peasant at The Royal Opera, London in ...1964 (!!!) - would you believe ? It all changed when the Olympic events were opened to professional athletes and lost their amateur status a few years ago....Ah well, we all know 'things ain't what they used to be' - a true sign of ooooold aaaage... just you wait .....(I've been recalled for another blood test, the third in a few weeks - maybe they've struck oil ...?!) No explanation as yet....Yesterday I was given a Chinese fortune cookie, it reads "True Friend is very rare jewel, they make you smile and encourage you to succeed ". Treasure your true friends, and keep smiling whilst you k..p b.......g.....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment