World Championships Paris 2003

[Ross]

We finished a wonderful 26th in the medals table with 2 silvers and 2 bronzes, which is absolutely pathetic really. It was especially bad to see Dwain Chambers smiling after an inferior sprinter ran 5 metres out of him in the relay to snatch gold. Is it this kind of attitude that's losing us medals?

Although having said that, great performances by Kelly Jones (who was injured all season) and Hayley Tullett (who was not expected to make the final) for picking up medals. It shows that the ladies are picking up where Coe, Cram and Ovett left off in the 80's

[Absinthe Minded]

Regarless of what people say the root of the problem is undoubtedly the video game generation. Children nowadays would simply rather sit n play computer games and watch tv because its so easy and theres so much choice. I know its tru because thats what i did.

Its hardly a coincidence that the medal table is dominated by 3rd world and developing nations such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Belarus. Children in countries such as those don't have the same distractions as those growing up the developed world. The American team, although top of the medal table again, is no longer the dominant force it once was.

Even the British team is dominated by black athletes, many of whom have come from backgrounds where they had little access to such luxuries.

To summarise.... down with the computer game/television generation!

Except for Smackdoon of course.

[Ross]

I think you might have cracked it to an extent, but what about countries like Sweden, who have had unparalled success at these champs? They place a far greater emphasis on the importance of sport. This sort of thing has to be done in our schools so every kid is made to do sport to a certain age- the ones that are best at it are bound to carry it on