In reply to Robert Durran:
> (In reply to no_more_scotch_eggs)
> [...]
> football, for instance, is and always will be an Olympic joke because of the World Cup
now, i'm on shakier ground here, but i'm even going to argue that the football is not a *complete* joke, maybe more of a humorous one-liner...
i went to the Brazil- belarus match at old trafford in the summer, and there was a *massive* turnout from Brazil fans (there were even some belarus fans too). they were clearly taking it seriously, and from phil vickery's blog on the bbc football site, apparantly it's become a national obsession to win the gold medal, as they have 4 silvers now, whereas argentina have won gold.
i think messi demanded to play in Beijing last time round, though barca didnt really want him too, because the chance to play for his country at the olympics was supposedly a big deal for him
so... i wonder if our lack of interest is partly a parochial thing, as in other major football nations, it is taken as important
and i'm content with it being there (i got to see neymar and oscar at old trafford for brazil, if nothing else...)
but i accept its undoubtedly an anomaly, and the secondary status to the world cup will never be in doubt.
now, golf... that's a stage too far even for me... what next? snooker...?
cheers
gregor