There isn’t much fun in Games

SO the most expensive Winter Olympics ever are under way, and what an edifying spectacle they are.

As pointy-faced despot Vladimir Putin seeks to ski his way to a propaganda triumph for his shiny new Mafia — sorry, Russia — locals complain their beautiful town and countryside have been ruined, spectators complain tickets are too expensive, everyone accuses the organisers of corruption, calls are made for a boycott over Russia’s homophobia and terrorists fill their vests with explosives.

All the while ordinary people across the world cast their minds back to the last time they watched people sliding down hills on trays and Google the word “luge”.

Meanwhile in Scotland, potato faced despot Alex Salmond prepares to ride to independence on the backs of young men and women in blue vests as spectators wonder if they’ll bother turning up for the only thing they could get tickets for — Canada v Jamaica in the badminton.

The deadline for applications to host the 2022 Commonwealth

Would that be unsporting?

Games is a month away with no bidders and lots of Commonwealth statesmen are wandering around with their hands behind their backs, looking at the sky and whistling.

Might all this suggest that hosting a major international sporting event is a good idea only inside the heads of politicians with an axe to grind?

Many people in Brazil seem to think so as transport fares go up while the government spends millions on this year’s World Cup.

(The last one in South Africa seems to have done nothing for anybody apart from the guy with the vuvuzela franchise.)

So here’s an idea. Greece spent a fortune on its Olympics and now has lots of facilities it can’t use and still hasn’t paid for, while its economy is less buoyant than the vuvuzela franchise.

Why not have the Games there every time? It is their spiritual home and has a nice climate, after all.

TheWinter Olympics could stay in Switzerland, where conditions are always perfect, and which is handily positioned for every country that gives a monkey’s about taking part.

And if anyone still wants to bother with the Commonwealth Games, London, with all its Olympic legacy and Her Majesty living locally, would seem an ideal permanent host.

Or would that be unsporting?