The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

ukmaggie45

Just read a story about kids being left by their mother on the Grauniad website.

Think you might find it interesting Pastures.

vivatifosi

We have just got back from the athletics, both somewhat hoarse from cheering for Bolt.

PasturesNew

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Just read a story about kids being left by their mother on the Grauniad website.

Think you might find it interesting Pastures.

Cheers. Loved reading that!

Pyxis

vivatifosi wrote: »

We have just got back from the athletics, both somewhat hoarse from cheering for Bolt.

It was interesting. A shame that he couldn't win his last race, but I suppose he couldn't go on for ever!
Very impressive career. :T

I did feel a bit sorry for Gatlin, though, in that his moment of glory seemed to be fiercely overshadowed by Bolt doing a sort of retiring lap of honour, but I guess it was inevitable!

I admired his gesture to Bolt after he realised he had won! A double achievement really; winning the race and beating the great god Bolt.

Mind you, the other chap beat him as well.
Am I correct in thinking that Bolt does better in slightly longer races, as he needs a little bit of time to rev up to full throttle?


Anyway, his place in the history books is secure!

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Just read a story about kids being left by their mother on the Grauniad website.

Think you might find it interesting Pastures.

Fascinating bit of social history!

Just goes to show, it's worth hoarding stuff!

chris_m

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Just read a story about kids being left by their mother on the Grauniad website.

That's an unusual place to leave kids, I wonder if the editor minded?
:rotfl:

vivatifosi

Pyxis wrote: »

It was interesting. A shame that he couldn't win his last race, but I suppose he couldn't go on for ever!
Very impressive career. :T

I did feel a bit sorry for Gatlin, though, in that his moment of glory seemed to be fiercely overshadowed by Bolt doing a sort of retiring lap of honour, but I guess it was inevitable!

I admired his gesture to Bolt after he realised he had won! A double achievement really; winning the race and beating the great god Bolt.

Mind you, the other chap beat him as well.
Am I correct in thinking that Bolt does better in slightly longer races, as he needs a little bit of time to rev up to full throttle?

Anyway, his place in the history books is secure!

It wasn't a great race Tbh. Most Olympics and World Champ races in the Bolt era have been faster, hence the blanket finish. Bolt is always a slow starter because of his size, but he wasn't race fit.

As for Gatlin, he's a two times drug cheat and shouldn't be there. What's the point in the IAAF making a big deal if presenting medals retrospectively and banning Russia as a country for systematic cheating; if you let someone who has been caught cheating not once, but twice, to race? Gatlin has always had amazing talent, but he's been greedy in order to boost his way to the top.

Bolt is the most tested athlete due to his prodigious talent and has never failed a test.

NP mode off..
Yes I booed Gatlin. I would also have booed a British athlete like Dwayne Chambers for cheating.
NP mode on..

michaels

Sad thing is I thought Bolt could have won it if he hadn't tried too hard. His start was ok and if he had got into the relaxed style he showed in the semi he would have come through but instead because he so wanted to do it in his final race and he was worried about Coleman, he tensed up, trying to produce 110% when 100% would have been enough on the night (see also Marin Cillic at the wimbledon final this year and the England football team at any championship).

Don't know what to think about Gatlin. I think in general we are too quick to condemn people like ex convicts, once someone has been punished continuing to hold their previous mistake against them just means they have no hope or opportunity and will likely offend again. Then again he is a serial cheat and the cheating relates directly to sport so it does seem odd to give yim so many chances, especially when that then sends out a message to young athletes that perhaps the risks from being caught cheating are worth taking.

vivatifosi

It's probably an issue for somewhere other than the NPT, but there are two issues I have with the Gatlin thing.

The first is that the IAAF needs to be more consistent in the message it sends to the crowds. In the same meeting last night you had retrospective medal ceremonies for people who had been denied their moment of glory. Why then invite a two times drugs cheat?

The second is that it isn't a victimless crime. Those who cheat deny those who don't medals, adulation, sponsorship and funding, as well as a higher step on the podium.

One offence and you should have your records struck from the books as well as a 4-8 year ban, depending on the severity of the crime. There can be no excuse for being caught twice, that should be a lifetime ban.

Pyxis

chris_m wrote: »

That's an unusual place to leave kids, I wonder if the editor minded?
:rotfl:

:rotfl:

vivatifosi wrote: »

It wasn't a great race Tbh. Most Olympics and World Champ races in the Bolt era have been faster, hence the blanket finish. Bolt is always a slow starter because of his size, but he wasn't race fit.

As for Gatlin, he's a two times drug cheat and shouldn't be there. What's the point in the IAAF making a big deal if presenting medals retrospectively and banning Russia as a country for systematic cheating; if you let someone who has been caught cheating not once, but twice, to race? Gatlin has always had amazing talent, but he's been greedy in order to boost his way to the top.

Bolt is the most tested athlete due to his prodigious talent and has never failed a test.

NP mode off..
Yes I booed Gatlin. I would also have booed a British athlete like Dwayne Chambers for cheating.
NP mode on..

I didn't know that. Hmmm.
I've been in AmDram purdah all weekend, so haven't been following all the pre- and post-race discussions/analyses etc. so wasn't aware of Gatlin's past.

Was he actually punished for the cheatings, though?

I can see your point, that the one time may have been a bad error of judgement, so punish them and let them back, but a second time is taking the proverbial a bit.

PasturesNew

Birmingham bins: why have the BBC News interviewed perfectly tall/virile/fit looking men in their 30-50ss in affluent areas showing their uncollected bins and moaning about them?

I'd have been taking the time out to pop to the tip with them, even though that's a darned nuisance.