Tag: sport

Olympic Competition Ends With the Modern Pentathlon, or Sports Day Writ Large

Josh CowlsLeave a comment

Published on The Huffington Post.

As it turned out, it was very appropriate that the last sporting action of London 2012 should be the Modern Pentathlon. It showed the Olympics for what they ultimately are: an international sports day stretched over a fortnight.

Continue reading “Olympic Competition Ends With the Modern Pentathlon, or Sports Day Writ Large” →

Golden Glory Still Eludes Great Britain… But the Best is Yet to Come

Josh CowlsLeave a comment

Danny Boyle and Seb Coe decided to end Friday’s incredible Opening Ceremony with a strong statement. The Olympic flame was brought to the stadium, on a speedboat, by a certain footballer nicknamed ‘Goldenballs’. Picking it up off the boat and into the stadium was Sir Steve Redgrave, a man who won an unprecedented five gold medals during an illustrious rowing career. Redgrave was then joined by six of his compatriots, all of them Olympic champions from Games past, who passed seven golden torches to seven protégés, to ignite the flame.

Continue reading “Golden Glory Still Eludes Great Britain… But the Best is Yet to Come” →

Wonder Women: Why Britain’s Female Athletes May Shine the Brightest in London

Josh CowlsLeave a comment

Published on The Huffington Post.

 

After the flags have come down in Regent Street, the athletes have departed the village, and the nation reflects on Britain’s performance as both host and competitor, a particular observation may dawn on public and punditry alike. The extent of Team GB’s medal table standing may well be due to the disproportionate success of its women athletes.

Continue reading “Wonder Women: Why Britain’s Female Athletes May Shine the Brightest in London” →

Let’s Peel the ‘Plastic’ Label off Team GB’s Foreign-born Athletes

Josh CowlsLeave a comment

Published on The Huffington Post.

 

The media has been expending plenty of column inches and airtime lamenting various aspects of the upcoming Olympic Games. Make no mistake: the failure of G4S to provide the requisite security staff is a true debacle, and lampooning a pitiful British summer has always been fair game. But one of the less helpful stories to have emerged in recent weeks is the discussion of so-called ‘Plastic Brits’: members of the British Olympic team who were born overseas.

Continue reading “Let’s Peel the ‘Plastic’ Label off Team GB’s Foreign-born Athletes” →