China dominate, and guess no real surprises there.

USA does as well as ever.

Australia are amazing for the population level.

The interesting point to me is the average results of Russia (USSR), and what was E. Germany.

Now that there are dope tests, and gender tests.

Don’t think that they played with a straight bat!

We already struggle as it is and do the best with what we have but soon that will not be enough.
This could possibly lead to a decrease in Sporting role models in New Zealand, and without these role models what inspiration would there be for younger generations to seek out training in there respective chosen sport.
Therefore negating the need to have these unsung heroes, which yes i do agree they need support as well for the effort and work that they put in.
But it is a 2 way street you need to support the top level in order for there to be a need for the lower tier unsung heroes, and vice versa.

It was nothing but a GOLD RUSH this weekend for the Great Britain team. What a haul!

One of the best images so far was in the Cycling, Men’s individual pursuit. The medal ceremony where they lifted the flags into the air and it was wall to wall Union Jacks. Beautiful, just beautiful.

The two GB flags and an NZ flag with the Union Jack prominently on it.

“Congrats to the NZers. Villi and the twins are amazing.

I can’t understand why the Govt doesn’t support these athletes more. They make the country happier and are great role models, especially Villi.”

# Seán (123) Add karma Subtract karma –6 Says:
August 17th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

“They make impressionable people like you happier Southern Raider, because you soak in all the hype. Personally I’d prefer the Govt supported the unsung heroes of our society more, not what TVNZ thinks is important. If we consider sport, I am referring to the volunteers such as coaches, managers, fundraisers and administrators of non-profit sports clubs for instance. It’s the people in these community groups that become effective role models, as they are more real to the people they coach/teach/help/care for.”

All I’d add to this, is given our current government’s track record, would their involvement with our country’s athletics sphere likely prove a blessing or a curse?

Is it something to do with coke?

It’s the equivalent of the Sally Field quote:
“You like me, you really like me!”

Wake me up when the hypocrisy is over.

And if Val Vili was a nation, it would be bigger than Michael Phelps.

And Paul Marsden: surely Jonah Lomu was more of a gamebreaker than Bryan Williams. Williams was sensational aged 19 in South Africa in 1970, but his best moves came mainly against the provinces rather than the Springboks. After that tour, other teams cottoned on to his sidestep and could shut him down.

Batty, Kirwan, Stu and Jeff Wilson and others also had their moments. But seriously, if you were choosing a best All Blacks team of all time to beat the Rest of the World, you’d have to include Lomu for his ability to run over, round or through oppositions and tie up so many defenders.

August 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
what a dick, how could you attempt to use the results of a 4 yearly comp to downplay the worlds most recognised and regarded rugby player for over a decade.

I don’t regard Lomu as a top rugby player at all. He was just big, dumb poly (and yes fast). Thats all. Not a neurone to rub together. Now, Bryan Williams (another poly), on the other hand, was all that Lomu was but more, much more. He had far greater sleight of mind, hand and foot, and was one of the finest players of our time. Lomu..?? pfff!!

On the school teachers, I guess that’s trade unions for you. Always lowest common denominator just to protect their influence. The union leaders say they work for their members, but what they’re really working for is themselves.

He has no time for sport as he spends 24/7 working on his Helen Clark scrapbook.