Britain’s showing in Beijing has brought a glow of pride to the country, but the dedication, discipline and determination shown by all competitors – winners and losers - has been good to watch.
Not only have they impressed with their talent, fitness and professionalism while they were in action, but also their humility and eloquence in interviews have been a real eye-opener.
British footballers are often put to shame by some of our foreign imports in this respect, more eloquent, interesting and entertaining in their second language than many of the home-grown lot in their native tongue.
But at least our rowers, swimmers, gymnasts, cyclists and others Olympic competitors have shown that not all the country’s sportsmen and women are incapable of expressing themselves, incapable of showing emotion and incapable of acting as ambassadors for their country as well as for their sport.
Britain’s 19-year-old gymnastics bronze medal winner Louis Smith was a better talker on the telly than some football’s multi-millionaires ten years older than him.
It really has been heartening to see and hear our Olympians in action on the other side of the world, but with the footy season – in particular, the Premiership season – just kicking-off, it’s made me wonder if I really want to see a load of duffers being interviewed on the telly every weekend between now and May.

In fact, no I don’t.
Until they can express themselves properly, show that they care and at least go through the motions of being interested in what they are talking about, they can all get stuffed.
I’d rather listen to some bloke I’ve never heard of talking about a cycling race I don’t understand. At least he cares.

On a similar subject, have a look at what our SportNetwork colleagues are saying on the West Brom website.

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