During today I have had the 'Tour de France' on in the background so I can keep an eye on these cyclists powering up steep gradients faster than I could drive a Ferrari down them. Today they streamed into the hill country while gathering clouds soon began to surround them as they climbed into the 'mountains.' All the while two of the ITV people kept up a running commentary of the action (Cycling surely? - ed?). There is in the TV world (TV being a device to show pictures) a preoccupation with filling the screen with words in case the viewer was unable to distinguish a cyclist from an ancient Abbey or Castle seen rising majestically in the background. Now background information is indeed useful but sometimes silence while watching the men slogging along is useful also, this gives our ears a rest.
However what annoys me came at the end. The leader, he with the 'Yellow Jersey' was one Chris Broome, an Englishman, therefore it was clear that in the eyes of the commentators he alone was what mattered at the end of this tough uphill race.
He flopped!
There was of course passing reference to the young man who actually won the race but only one man mattered - the Englishman! For a moment I began to wonder if anyone else took part! It is a recurring theme in any sport that the English commentators only see one man/side their own. Now all commentators have a support for their side in any game and sometimes when they win a major trophy it can be seen as excusable, rarely is this the case in England.
We note by the way that at least one woman has mentioned Andy Murray going out of Wimbledon by informing us the 'Scotsman has gone home' whereas when he was in the tournament he remained 'British!' Tennis hopes then rested on a wee English girl who soon lost to a very experienced opponent and know doubt has become Irish or Welsh or whatever now.
The cycling world has done this for years, Chris Broad who now commentates was another hero for a while and there have been others. No matter who wins the 'Tour' this year only one man will be centre of the ITV world and you know his name...
The degradation of sin bares its fruit.......
2 comments:
"Born to Hungarian parents in Sydney, Australia, Johanna Konta moved to the UK when she was 14. She switched her sporting allegiance from Australia to Great Britain after she became a British citizen in May 2012." A mixture there...we'll still claim a little bit of Aussie!
I'm not a fan of Murray...never have been. I love Rafa and was sad to see him go....all my energy is now with Federer, of whom I'm a big fan. (I'm not a fan of Aussies...Tomic and Kyrgios...both are clowns who should be kicked off the tennis courts)!
Lee, Ha! I knew there was a reason she succeeded! Back to being Aussie now.
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