Monday, August 06, 2012

At Olympics, British pride surges with medal count

LONDON — In a nation known for cool reserve and a tendency to expect the worst, the opening days of the London Games brought a period of national self-flagellation as early gaffes plagued organizers and not a single British athlete struck gold. But in a story of perseverance, redemption and surging pride, Britain is starting to believe.

After an initial drought in Olympic medals, the last couple of days may just be the greatest in the history of British sports. This host nation of 62 million had claimed 16 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals after a wildly gilded weekend, including a victory by runner Mo Farah, the first British man to win the 10,000-meter race, that sent a panel of normally calm BBC commentators into fits of raucous screams.
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2 comments:

Anastasia Theodoridis said...

Here in England, the Olympics are virtually the only thing on the news - except Syria, of course.

We didn't even hear anything about Vladimir Putin's visit to Downing Street, except a brief mention that he did come.

Paul said...

We don't get much news about Syria, either. Only the "good" news that Assad is under ever-increasing pressure. Almost nothing on the plight of Christians (and other minorities) in Syria who are being driven out of their homes and seeing their churches and community buildings destroyed. We also don't hear very much about the aid that is being given by the Patriarch of Antioch to EVERYONE who is in need (aid which is very nearly driving the patriarchate to bankruptcy).

Such news does not fit the agenda, alas.