My Olympic Overview

I had not thought I would watch much of these Olympics. I might have tried harder to avoid them, but in the end I didn't, I gave in with something approaching good grace and joined in, a bit.

But I did not cheer, I was not swept along. I did not experience ecstasy and euphoria, I did not eulogise and yodel. I just watched and witnessed and thought oh! well done. I didn't think WE won anything. I thought THEY did tremendously well.

I wondered at how much Lottery funding had helped Team GB in the past decade or more, and mused about whether (in the UK) our Music, Art, Dance and Theatre might also impress the world and improve exponentially if its exponents and proponents received more kudos, congratulations and cash. I wondered whether we'd have even better medics, nurses, social workers and carers if we all got our shoulders and shekels behind them and SHOVED. I pondered if our Maths, Science and Technology teachers and the talented youngsters in their classes might like to have pedestals and medals. I even strayed wildly off-piste into the idea of international competitions for poets, orators and dramatists...to sit alongside the athletic Olympics again, as once they did.

Being an ex-teacher I see sport as just a part of the curriculum. I'd like to see other equally valid subject areas given a boost. Am I a grumbler or a grouch for thinking this? I hope not...