The Olympics - A Steve Rant.

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“Have you been watching any of the Olympics?” Johnny asked Steve. The screens in the pub were showing action from the Olympic pool.
“Nah, not really. I never quite get in to them to be honest. It’s just a load of sports that no one cares about for 3 years and 49 weeks and then suddenly fro two weeks everyone’s an expert on yngling and dressage.”

Johnny nodded.

“And what I really don’t understand,” Steve said, looking up at Claire Balding on the big screen. Johnny put his pint down on the table and sat back. He could tell by Steve’s body language there was a rant coming. Johnny would never admit it, but he’d actually missed his old friend.

“Why do the BBC send their presenters to Brazil to cover the Olympics?” Steve continued.

“Um, because that is where they are taking place?” Johnny suggested.

“No I don’t mean that. I mean, why do people like Balding sit in a studio in Rio? Why don’t they present from the UK? Commentators I understand, they have to be there, but why the hosts of the shows?”

Johnny looked at the screen and shrugged.

“I mean, I’m not a BBC basher. I like the BBC, I’d hate to see the bloody Tories destroy it. But at a time when they’re being squeezed from all sides, they are not doing themselves any favours.  You’d think they would want to be less, what’s the word, opulent. They have a perfectly good studio in Manchester sitting empty, while they swan around in Rio. The flights, hotels, dry cleaning, and hiring a studio, it all adds up. How much is that costing the license payer?”

“Must be a pretty penny,” Johnny agreed.

“So why do they do it?” Steve asked. They both paused to take a swig of their beer and watch the barmaid collect glasses.

“Well I guess it helps bring the atmosphere to the viewer,” Johnny said.

“But it doesn’t though, does it? I’d understand that if they were in the stadiums, but they are not. It was the same during the football. Gary and the boys sat in Paris while the game was going on in Marseille. It’s stupid.  One studio is the same as another. Just because we can see the beach in the background doesn’t make it more atmospheric.” Steve took a swig of his ale.  It’s just an unnecessary cost. When I was young, David Coleman and Frank Bough didn’t swan off to Moscow or LA did they? They stayed in London.  Waste not want not, as my mum used to say.”

“You didn’t waste any of that,” Johnny said pointing at Steve’s empty glass. “Same again?” Steve nodded and Johnny headed to the bar leaving Steve watching the table tennis.