Australians talking smack about the Brits

[marndar]

http://machochip.com/2008/08/the-aussie ... th-the.php

I hadn't seen this until now. One of the top Australian swim officials begrudgingly complemented the British on their showing in the Olympic swimming competition. His quote - 'they're doing well for a country short on pools and soap.'

[Marlow]

Re: Australians talking smack about the Brits

One of the top Australian swim officials begrudgingly complemented the British

The British and Aussies have always complemented each other well - sort of a 'Frick and Frack' relationship! :wink:

[AthleticsInBritain]

Heard recently on the radio: "the Aussies call us whinging Pommie bastards - we call them bar staff". :lol:

They're right about swimming pools though - until recently we only had 2 Olympic-size pools in the whole country. I think we've managed the grand total of 6 or 8 by now! ops:

[cacique]

can't think of which country has the best cuisine either...

[eldrick]

britain is playing ozzies at the same game now - pumping money into sports

in '94, our national lottery started with a few % contribution to go to sports development

in '96 when the money hadn't really had time to work, we won a pathetic 1 gold, due to pinsent/redgrave ( & we may have not got that if ozzies had broken up their "oarsome foursome" into a pairs to challenge them in what wouda been rowing race of the century )

in sydney it was about 12 & 9 in athens

since '94, $1 billion in lottery funding has gone to sports - encourage youngsters, nuture them, build facilities, get coaching, medical back-up, etc

an example was our brightest boxing hope, reigning wc called gavin ( unfortunately withdrew as coudn't make the weight ) - an elite athlete - he was reported to have received $140k in funding past year to cover living/expenses/coaching/etc

i assume top medal hopes get similar & next notch below ( potential finalist ) maybe 1/2...

maybe not this games, but next one & beyond, we shoud beat the ozzies thru sheer wt of money & numbers