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Post by jeremy on Aug 6, 2009 22:10:09 GMT 1
Tessa won Javelin Gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics on this day 25 years ago.
Since 1984 javelin has been Breat Britain and Northern Ireland's most successful event at the Olympics with 7 medals, alsmost twice the next best (which is 4 in one of the relays).
What a shame that more hasn't been made of this phenominal acheivement by one of Britain's best ever athletes. Tessa was a six time Olympian and also a Commonwealth record holder in the heptathlon with 6,100+ points.
Congratulations Tessa on this fantastic and superlative achievement !
;D ;D ;D
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Post by pembrokian on Aug 8, 2009 12:04:55 GMT 1
Another fine example of GB's chronic inability to build on a fine legacy.
Ovett, Coe, McKean, Elliot, Cram..............then ?
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Post by pj on Aug 8, 2009 16:17:11 GMT 1
That is the legacy of BAF and to a lesser extent UKA. 'They' misguidedly always held the amateurish belief that as certain as night follows day the English, Welsh, Scottish and Ulster Schools' would continue to provide the next stars without any interruption to the flow.
There are a shedload of reasons why not. The main one is that the rest of the World have caught up very quickly by being more Professional than us. By Professional I also include Cash and it's correct usage. If Jamaica can do it then why not good old GB. We have been stuck in our ancient Amateur ways for far too long. Germany have had similar problems. Looking at recent Age Group Championships Germany may have turned the corner
We rely on a supply of approximately one or two per event. No back up. If someone gets injured there is no-one, by and large, at World Level to back up the number One.
It does not take a genius to work out that this reliance on Podium Potential Athletes will eventually, due to injuries and retirements, backfire and leave us with no-one at that level.
Concentrate on developing a squad in each event and giving them equal status, funding and experience, coaching of the highest quality and the benefits for the whole Sport will be ultimately achieved. It may take time but behaving as if Jobs are on the Line all the time will ultimately prove to be correct. There will be no top class athletes and no need for top class Alickadoos.
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Post by jeremy on Aug 16, 2009 1:48:00 GMT 1
By the way, Tessa's doing the TV "Celebrity Wife Swap" with Ron Atkinson this Sunday evening.
Should be a bit of a hoot !
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Post by pj on Aug 16, 2009 15:04:53 GMT 1
Omg Jeremy !!
I cannot believe you watch that sort of rubbish on TV. Although I suppose somebody must as they wouldn't keep putting them on. So it must be your fault ( et al ) that we have to endure these kind of programmes.
It will no doubt clash with Athletics from Berlin and Tennis, AM in the Montreal Masters Final and probably some good drama !!
So not much to choose from really?
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Post by Caroline on Aug 16, 2009 15:44:49 GMT 1
I'm with you pj..... Z grade 'slebs' trying to stay in the public eye. Having said that, it's a poor indication that one of our ex Gold Medallists has to lower herself to this level to make a crust these days..
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