Beijing Olympics: Lasting Memories
What are your favourite Beijing memories? Lovely, girl-next-door, Becky Addlington joyously celebrating two gold medals and breaking a world record while finding time to wave to her mum…. before the other competitors had even finished the race. Or was it brave Christine Ohuruogo striding to victory in the womens’ 400m (we’ll conveniently forget all about those missed drugs tests – hey, she won and she’s British so that’s all that really matters isn’t it?)
My buttons get pushed slightly differently. The most vivid memory for me is the Cuban Tae Kwon Do entrant committing GBH on the umpire after his disqualification. Most of you will recoil in horror but this may prove to be one of the best things that has ever happened to the Olympic movement. Why? For decades any sport (or naff pan-European song “contest”) that involved judges to determine the winner has been beset with allegations of bias, often favouring the host country competitors. The practice had become almost acceptable. Commentators frowned and competitors complained but to no avail. Now the world has changed. Next time a pompous oaf in a slightly too tight blazer and frighteningly flammable polyester slacks decides to rob a competitor of a medal they will think twice. At the back of their minds they will be thinking that perhaps currying favour with the Olympic hosts, or pursuing some other dark political agenda isn’t quite worth the prospect of receiving a complete hiding from the competitor they have blatantly cheated. This might be just enough to reawaken their dormant impartiality gene. Stand up, Angel Matos of Cuba, you sir, are the true great Olympian hero of Beijing 2008.
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“History is bunk” (Mark Twain, 1916)
Ever looked in the Racing Post and studied the “Top Bogey Teams” for football fixtures? You are wasting your time – teams win because of greater ability, better coaching, fitness etc, not because in 8 out of the last 10 times this fixture was played their predecessors lost. Professional sportsmen operate on short term contracts. Half the starting eleven probably didn’t play last year let alone 5 years ago. The same applies when considering matches involving “big clubs” – the history, stadium, fan base, transfer fees. None of that will win the game. The opportunity for the savvy gambler is to identify a “big club” in a downward spiral. Week after week such a team can be opposed at good odds. People simply wouldn’t believe that Newcastle couldn’t beat any of Portsmouth, Derby (!), Man City, Bolton, Middlesborough, Blackburn and Aston Villa at St James Park in 2007/8 – they didn’t and those who opposed them won a lot of money at good odds.
History for history’s sake has no place in the gamblers armoury.
Bets of the week
Everton to beat WBA – 6/4. Everton are still a quality team playing against a side who won the weakest Championship in living memory last year and haven’t really strengthened. Early season often springs surprises so don’t go too mad but the Toffees wont get a licking!
For those with Betfair or spread betting accounts. Lay/sell Philips Oduwo. He may have a natty new barnet but his reputation as a choker means there’s limited downside to opposing Oduwo particularly when supported by a wave of patriotic money at inflated prices
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