DISAPPEARING GB DECK CHAIRS AND SECRET DRINKING
THERE were fun and games in the Olympic village when athletes managed to find a way to sneak out and buy booze from a nearby convenience store without being detected by security. However, the antics of one group impacted Team GB.
The Brits brought in a number of Union Flag deck chairs and found four had gone missing late one evening. The culprits apparently realised their error and the following morning the chairs were sheepishly returned. However, the same could not be said about a Brompton bicycle which also vanished.
Days later, a quick-thinking Team GB security officer spotted the stolen bike being ridden by an unidentified rider and managed to chase them down and return it to base. Insiders have said that despite draconian quarantine measures, the traditional partying as the Games closed was in full flow.
ONE prominent Team GB track coach triggered suspicious minds when he turned up in Tokyo with jet-black hair. The staff member, who shall remain nameless, was accused of hitting the colour bottle and was promptly nicknamed Elvis.
EUROSPORT officials have been delighted by an unexpected success story, with the equestrian events providing big viewing numbers in both the UK and the Netherlands despite the channel being seen as cycling-orientated.
COLUMN readers may recall the story of the BBC’s ludicrous decision to make Olympics correspondent Nick Hope (below) redundant after the Games. In a new twist, the head press officers from a wide variety of Team GB sports have written to BBC Sport director Barbara Slater. They pointed out Hope’s extensive coverage of their disciplines — including at these Games — and have asked for clarity on what will happen following his departure. The strong inference is that the broadcaster should rethink what was yet another head-scratching move.
BMX bronze medallist Declan Brooks was sent into a panic when he arrived in the athletes’ village without his lucky underpants. The 25-year-old begged staff to find the underwear, which he had left at the preparation camp in Yokohama. An initial search was fruitless, but the pants were subsequently spotted in a laundry room and ferried 30 miles to their grateful owner.
MEDIA in Tokyo have been amused by the status the city’s convenience stores were given by members of the foreign press, who found the well-stocked outlets, which appear to be on every street, a godsend. NHK, the national public broadcaster, even ran a story about it.
THE searing temperatures in Tokyo wreaked havoc on Friday when a pair of caddies at the golf tournament collapsed from heat exhaustion. Both recovered fully, but it is a surprise the baking temperatures have not caused more distress.
CHEERLEADING from the press box hit new lows during the Games. The sight of cheering ‘journalists’ — some of whom brought flags and badgered athletes for selfies — will not be missed. The Italians have been among the worst culprits, bringing back memories of their over the top celebrations and goading of England fans at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, when one journalist even grabbed an Italy shirt out of his backpack and put it on over his top.
BEN WHITTAKER, who picked up silver in boxing, will find a familiar face when he appears as a guest of honour at Wolves’ home opener against Spurs on August 22. The 24-year-old’s father works in the tunnel at Molineux.
MANCHESTER CITY presented the FA with a full-sized replica of the 1896-1910 FA Cup at Saturday’s Community Shield. There had been fears that the original would be privately purchased and taken overseas when it was listed for auction last year. However, City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed purchased the historic trophy, which was subsequently loaned to the National Football Museum in Manchester. Mike Summerbee handed the replica trophy over to FA chief executive officer Mark Bullingham in a private presentation ahead of kick-off.