Norabone has not jumped on the Olympic Games bandwagon. I have always been indifferent to the games and in the past, tried to avoid them, apart from an occasional swimming final here and there. I shunned the self-congratulatory medalists (of all nations) as well as the new found patriots who obnoxiously trumpeted the latest metallic achievements on every airwave.
"Citius, Altius, Fortius"...than what? Or whom? I am still baffled that an Institute of Sport was set up in this country to achieve success after a team returned home without gold one year. To give us more credibility as a sporting nation? Is that important? And if it is so important why hasn't it filtered down from the elite, effete athletes to the wider population which struggles with childhood obesity and increasing death rates from diseases caused by insufficient exercise, not to mention an excessive intake of calories? I was dismayed (but for some reason not surprised) at the level of corruption involving officials, that is required to secure the games by host nations. In my own lifetime I have probably never witnessed a drug-free Olympics competition, so in the end what's the point?
Well someone seems to think there is one, and if you're living in Australia you can see coverage on this network or over here. My personal entree to the games, since Sydney 2000, has been via Roy and HG. For those seeking news without the taint of national pride the official Official Olympic games site may be more appropriate, and informative. Disappointingly for the organisers, attendance seems to be well down despite the magnificent venue and near-perfect weather conditions.
On Athens. Australia's media circus, government spokesmen, ex-athletes and Olympic officials were all very keen to say the venue would never be ready or suitable or match the level achieved by Sydney and were, of course silenced by the success of the opening ceremony. I have one tiny criticism myself. The person responsible for the design of mascots Phevos and Athena toying with various drafts, accidentally submitted this to a desperate merchandise department, who in the absence of an alternative went with it. Brave. Greek deities, eh? Okay...
No Norabone has definitely not jumped on the bandwagon...just a short ride on the tailgate.