It's an interesting thought problem

In your hypothetical universe where everything gets stupidly high coverage, it is difficult to say for which sports the Olympics will be the highest pinnacle. What I do know, however, is that the World Cup, Euros, African Cup of Nations and many other competitions are much bigger, just on a national level, than the Olympic Football. In fact, you start to sum up quite nicely why that is the case, so I think you know that I, and many others who agree, are correct.

If we were to accept that suddenly the Olympics was no longer the highest pinnacle in air rifle shooting, then it could be replaced. It has happened before. I would welcome a return for poetry or, if I am being serious, tug of war. However, that isn't going to happen.

As a slight aside you have forced, away from this particular discussion, I'd wager Senegal beating France, the world cup champions, in the world cup is still talked about today.

I know why people don't like the football being at the Olympics. You list some of the reasons, others include they are already well paid/publicised so they should be exempt from the Olympics, which should be all about the sporting pinnacle for many. IMO, the Olympics should be about unifying fans using sports from around the world. Football's the biggest sport around, although it's sad we don't get to see the best footballers (for varying reasons), I still don't think it should be dismissed as an Olympic event. For me, one of the best things about the football being there is the way it's played all around the nation, it makes it more accessible for fans that might not be able to get down to London. The already bloated footballing calendar means it's probably too late to truly make the football at the Olympics a major event, but I still think it's good and brings a lot to the Olympics.

Listening to our winning athletes makes me realise even more that footballers are overpaid, disinterested primadonnas. Worst example of any sportsman.

This 'highest pinnacle' stuff is a bit misplaced, for me. I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority of sports represented in the Olympics have their own World Championships, and I'd similarly speculate that achieving a medal in these competitions would be a great achievement for the participants concerned. Is it only the weight of history, or the fact it's a massive multi-sport event, or the enormous publicity that makes an Olympic medal 'better' than a World Championship one?

The anti-football thing grates, too. Just because loads of high profile English footballers are arrogant s doesn't automatically mean the Olympic football tournament is worthless. Plenty of countries take it seriously - the Team GB football lot were on a loser from the start whatever they did because these islands don't (more accurately, can't) enter a side in normal circumstances, thus the pervading wisdom is that Olympic football isn't worth bothering with, because Eng-er-lund have never been in it.

As a further aside, Greg Rutherford is a 'failed' footballer, as is Adam Gemili, and to some extent, so is Mo Farah. Ben Ainslie even said he started sailing because he lived in an isolated area where there was nobody to kick a football around with.

Dropped lucky then, didn't they?

Depends how you look at it.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19154306 comedy gold Peter Kay might as well have got his trunks on

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19154306 comedy gold Peter Kay might as well have got his trunks on

Just watched the highlight of the games so far.

The woman's hockey semi final between New Zealand and the Netherlands. Not sure what the score was, think it may have gone to extra time or even penalties. Not even sure who won but it was fantastic viewing.

A couple of weeks ago I never knew much about the Olympics. Now I can't wait until next year.

how good/fast is this bolt fellow if he didnt ease up hed smash the world record..fantastic

Just said that he felt his back going so eased up a little, the guys not human.

mo farah brilliant run..looking forward to the relays.jamaica nailed on for gold and 3 golds for mr bolt...really enjoyed the games not everyones cup of tea but for me its been brilliant.stroll on another 4 years..is it brazil the next one

another right prediction..jamaica waltzed it..fancy young tom daly for a medal...

Make the most of it, funding has now stopped for sports. Blame Cameron and the daft varstewards who continue to play the national lottery. Its no more, we will be trailing North Korea in the medals table, whom, coincidently, have the best medals/teams entered record in the games.

ps/ Wilikies was bouncing when Mo won.

ALERT
ALERT
More b0!!0x typed by Live Wired
Pay him no heed

factomundo sunshine, do the maths unless you never took the o level

Even so it's a pointless statistic, anyone can see that.

And, I haven't got O Level maths.

And by the looks of things, you never achieved O level English either.

The reply was to the previous poster.

This! THIS





and then you criticise my english.



FFS!

Come on, 1905. I did tell you. Don't feed the plank. He loves it.

So, irony is not lost on the forum.
Did you count 2 or 3 mistakes?

I'm taking Lefty's advice on this one.

Good man. You know it makes sense.

I doubt he's even a a Wire fan.

Makes Colin Fishwick seem like Craig Garner

do they..couldnt give a toss weve got 28 golds and the games have been a joy to watch...as for the funding its not been stopped...

It's been quite astoundingly good. I feel proud and happy. The nation feels proud and happy. It was all better than expected.

Could end up with 30 golds. For our tiny island in the North Atlantic/North Sea, that's great!

Great stuff. Great Britain!