Daley

[epwc]

Anyone else watch the Daley Thompson doc on BBC?

What an athlete

[epwc]

And still a good looking bastard

[Tichtheid]

Supremely talented, and mentally tough as nails.

[epwc]

I’d forgotten what a beast Hingsen was

[Biffer]

Really enjoyed it. Makes me laugh when he’s grinning away about being the best.

[charltom]

Loved it. Such nostalgia!

Not sure I ever noticed how unnaturally ripped some of those DDR athletes were...

[Oxbow]

Shit, briefly saw the title on the EPG and thought it was about Tom Daley Have to iPlayer it.

[tabascoboy]

Was talking to someone yesterday about the Olympics and how with neither of us following Track & Field we couldn't name who would be our hopes or any athlete of any nation that might be the successes and stars this time around. So different way back then when even British "glory seekers" would know names like Thompson, Ovett, Coe, Cram, Sanderson, Capes etc.

Not only was Daley a supreme athlete and a rare British success but he had an undoubted charisma that was totally lacking from the soulless machines of the Eastern Bloc ( not their fault of course, they were the products of a medal seeking machine).

[Hugo]

Was talking to someone yesterday about the Olympics and how with neither of us following Track & Field we couldn't name who would be our hopes or any athlete of any nation that might be the successes and stars this time around. So different way back then when even British "glory seekers" would know names like Thompson, Ovett, Coe, Cram, Sanderson, Capes etc.

Interesting. I follow athletics on a casual level - the big medal hopes are - Zharnel Hughes who broke Linford Christies 100m GB record last year, Dina Asher Smith, Keely Hodgkinson in the 800, Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman in the 800 and the 1500 respectively. Also, Laura Muir.

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Edit - I misspoke, we moved into 1st in the all-time medal table but finished 3rd overall this time around.

[epwc]

Loved it. Such nostalgia!

Great trainers

[Sandstorm]

Loved it. Such nostalgia!

Great trainers

Short pants!!!

[epwc]

Short pants!!!

Jurgen seemed to have a bratwurst in his

[Biffer]

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Less coverage, and particularly less free to air coverage

[tabascoboy]

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Less coverage, and particularly less free to air coverage

Certainly doesn't help

[Hugo]

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Less coverage, and particularly less free to air coverage

I agree 100%.

Plus another theory I have come up with is that back in the 80s football was of course massively popular but it did not have anything like the same grip on the public consciousness as it does today. All other sports have been pushed to the margins.

[weegie01]

Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman in the 800 and the 1500 respectively.

Other way round.

Josh Kerr's brother is ex Leicester, Bristol and one cap Scotland international hooker Jake Kerr.

[Hugo]

Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman in the 800 and the 1500 respectively.

Other way round.

Josh Kerr's brother is ex Leicester, Bristol and one cap Scotland international hooker Jake Kerr.

Yes, mea culpa.

Interesting how they have won the 1500m in back to back world championships..... Kerr fancied his chances in 2022 (was dare I say arrogant) only to finish outside the medals and watch his pal Jake take it. Then, he goes and wins it in 2023. I think they have both won the 5th Ave mile over that timeframe too.

I'm hopeful they go well in the Olympics.

PS - it speaks to Tabascoboys point. This is as strong as British middle distance running has been since the 80s and I'll bet mos people have never heard of Kerr or Wightman.

[TB63]

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Less coverage, and particularly less free to air coverage

Is that about TV or his pants?..

[tabascoboy]

You raise a great point about why aren't this generation of Brit athletes household names? We topped the medal table at the European championships last month so it's not due to a lack of success.....

Less coverage, and particularly less free to air coverage

Is that about TV or his pants?..

Linford's Lunchbox probably did no harm for his popularity

[Insane_Homer]

That Sun reporter with huge and clear chip on his shoulder, no irony detected

The reporters egging him on to say something controversial. Show me the interviews where they ask the same questions of his teammates?

He should've been knighted ages ago.