Good Sports/Bad Sports
Published by Matt Glover March 27th, 2006 in Misc StuffI’m not particulalry sporty, but having the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and being fortunate to go to see the athletics at the MCG on Thursday night has meant I’m suddenly an expert on everything track and field! I’ve watched far too much of it on telly but have loved the buzz around the city and the crowds of people simply enjoying life.
As always, there’s been a mix of high lights and low lights. My hero from the games would have to be Scott Martin who won shotput bronze and discus gold for Australia. He won his gold on the night we were there and the atmosphere was awesome. And to win gold on your last throw…pressure plus! My other hero for the games is Craig Mottram. A silver in the 5000m is fantastic, but what I was really impressed by was his positive attitude after being pushed over in the 1500m. He was the favourite for gold but hit the deck after the pommy guy behind fell and got tangled in Mottram’s feet. To see a dream vanish like that after training for so long. Unbelievable.
Moving to the top of my “People I don’t like” list is Tamsyn Lewis, for her poor sportsmanship in the womans 4×400m relay. Australia came home second but ended up with gold when England was disqualified on a technicality. When the girls lined up for their leg of the relay, the English girl, whether on purpose or by accident we’ll never know, ended up standing in front of Lewis when she should have been behind her. Lewis indicated to the judges as such, but said nothing to the English girl, knowing it would mean that Australia’s main rival would be disqualified.
England won the race by a long way. The judges spoke to Lewis right after the race. The channel nine interviewer asked Leiws what was going on, and with a smirk replied, “Never you mind.” Then England was disqualified.
If there’s ever an example of poor sportsmanship, then that would be it. Jana Pittman had been the target of a lot of negativity before the games, and being part of the relay, may have played a part in this too. In any case, Lewis takes the prize for the worst gold medal winning performance I’ve seen! Boooo!
Overall, a great two weeks. I’m not sure if Melbourne will ever host such a thing again in my life time, so I count myself fortunate to have been.
That was exactly how I felt about Lewis. Jane Fleming seemed to indicate Lewis knew what was going on. What a poor example of ‘Australian Sportsmanship’. Most people didnt believe me when I tried to explain it to them. Much refreshing, then to watch later that night as our mens 4X400 shone through sheer Athletic ability.
Honestly, though, I’d be much happier with a second place gained through being your best than a connived 1st place. Where is Derryn Hinch and his shame file when you need it? Honestly, Lewis has always buged me. Its not like she’s ever run a competition time that puts her up there with the best. If only the Jamaicans had held their baton she wouldnt be looking so smug now.
Scott Martin’s lap of the ‘G’ has to have been a highlight of mine, along with the way the Telstra Dome crowd got behind the underdogs in every Rugby 7’s game that didnt involve the aussies. Actually, i saw that through several events, a love of the underdog, or those who struggled just to finish an event in which they were outclassed.
Now to see some similar aussie efforts as we build up to the State Youth Games.
PS ‘John So is my bro’
State Youth Games!
yay.