Yet more from the Olympics

The young women in the artistic gymnastics all had that sad ‘stolen childhood’ look in their eyes; that horrible vacant stare that hints at having suffered some terrible trauma. I suppose that’s what comes from being bullied by trainers from the age of 6, and constantly having your efforts judged arbitrarily.

What has happened to Gabby Logan? She used to be my favourite British sports presenter, but now she seems to have become a giggling unprofessional obsessed with in-jokes and boring reminiscences. She’s like a middle-aged mum trying to fit in with her trendy children and embarrassing them in the process.

The climbing may be rivalling the surfing as my favourite event of the Games so far. Ridiculously athletic, but also with a mind-bending element of intellectual problem solving. I have this strange vision that, with the way events are being selected these days, by the time we reach the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 we’ll have medals up for grabs in map reading.

How To Be A Post-Event BBC Interviewer:
Simple. You just ask these two questions – “You are Olympic Champion. How does that sound?” and “How long has this been a dream of yours?” and then you try and get them to cry by talking about their family back home.

I am already dreading the Closing Ceremony, and that awful post-Games depression period where it feels awful to wake up and not be able to watch some bizarre sporting event like Latvia versus Chinese Taipei at badminton.

RC 4-8-21