The government can’t stop the economy going into meltdown nor prevent the rising crime wave, but hey, in their long-standing policy of unrealistic target-setting, sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe today called on the Great Britain athletics team to win at least 10 gold medals and a receive a total of 41 at this year’s Beijing Olympics.
“That is a serious target…. and we want it to be achieved,” he says.
No, Mr Sutcliffe, no, no, no, no, NO!!!!
What we don’t need is for more state interference in the running of sport. The unrealistic pressures asked by Sutcliffe will almost certainly lead our athletes failing, when they should be encouraged to enjoy themselves competiting at the Olympics, whatever the result. The team will be lucky to win at least five medals in all.
On a more alarming note, what is going to happen when London hosts the games in 2012? This government has a policy of encouraging local councils and public bodies to sell off playing fields and leisure facilities to developers, so British athletes will be often forced to train abroad (if they’re lucky), or more likely, forced to give up their sports.
So if you think the situation is bad now, it could become worse in four years time…. and we know who to blame for that…don’t we?
P.S. More on this absurdity from Norman Geras here.