London 2012 Day 2

Well to be honest I am not catching as much of the games that I would like but there are still some interesting talking points.

The biggest talking point on day 2 was in the pool and the supposed failure of the Australian Men 4x100m freestyle relay. Maybe it is time that the Australian public stopped expecting our swimmers to win every event just because they have placed them on the pedestal that they so quickly want to pull from under them. I also find it interesting that they are blaming one person, Magnussen, for the result of four swimmers and at the end of that particular swimmers leg Australia were coming second. Regardless of how well he did Australia would not have won.  But if and when he wins a gold medal watch them milk him for every bit of glory and a mandatory 1000 replays for the next few days.

If you are upset about any of your favourite Aussie athletes or athletes from other countries not doing too well then take heart. Spain had the unbackable favourites in the football. World champions , European champions and number one team in the world and they have been bundled out with 2 losses straight up. Spain is a country that takes it for granted their team will win on a football field of late but will not be able to stake claim to holding the 3 major titles.

Unfortunately the drug tests keep rolling in and more are being sent home every day. The big talking point evolves around whispers in the pool surrounding the Chinese team. Whenever China wins in the pool people will question the legitimacy of their talent and when a 16yo wins a 400m medley with times that compare to the mens it is no surprise. Even though she is innocent until found guilty, I for one question the Chinese due to their constant run of athletes getting caught. The shame will be if it is shown that drugs were a major player and the medal is removed. You still have a situation where the rightful winner has not had the opportunity to revel in the moment and receive the accolades when deserved..

What I would like to see is the World sporting community unite and take a hard stance against countries. Firstly life bans need to be in place for all drug users in all sports. A 2 year ban still enables them to come back for the next Olympics and win gold, like we have already seen in the Men's Road Race. Also why should a country that continually has athletes test positive in a sport be allowed to field teams. Maybe they should have a three strike policy. If three athletes test positive in a time period then that country is banned from that event at the next Olympics. It may be harsh to those athletes doing the right thing but anything is better than what we are seeing at the moment. When you see the same countries with positive tests in the same events every year it seems hard to believe that no officials or team mates are unaware of what is happening.  If the world won;t take a hard stance a happy compromise should still be at the least, life bans.