Today was a very good today for British sport. Lewis Hamilton won the F1 Grand Prix and looks on course for a fourth world championship. Then Andy Murray secured his second Wimbledon title and third grand slam to continue his journey to secure his place among the best of all time.
This builds on success of recent performances this year for the England cricket and England rugby union sides, with further success coming and likely to be forthcoming at the Tour de France with Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish. Sadly success is not matched in international football for the English, but Wales and Northern Ireland did do well.
In August will come the Olympics and the British will hope to match the phenomenal successes of 2012 when London saw so much excitement and comradery.
The UK governments in common with other advanced countries pump in lots of money into elite sport. We do in particular into Olympic sports. Why? Well there is much evidence to show that success in elite sport leads to rising international prestige for a nation, an increased participation among the masses ( which aids a healthier and more productive population), and above all creates a feelgood factor. At a time when economic confidence has fallen back markedly, particularly following the Brexit vote (and in turn partly because of the unjustified scaremongering by politicians, Bank of England officials and so-called experts like the IMF), I believe this can only help to restore confidence in the economy and ourselves.
Lets be far more positive for the future!
No comments:
Post a Comment