Has Anyone Counted Them Yet?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3753633/Homeward-bound-Team-GB-athletes-smiles-prepare-leave-Rio-greatest-overseas-Olympic-Games.html

I wonder how many of our athletes have sought asylum in Brazil? :0)

[wolf63]

:-)

I didn't realise that there were so many athletes.

[andy-hughes]

I feel a little uncomfortable with the knowledge that only medal winners were offered upgrades on the plane.

If they are 'Team GB', then they should be treated like a team, and either use enough flights to upgrade all of them, or upgrade none.

[anotheoldgit]

I wonder what Mrs Thatcher would have said regarding the gold nose to the plane?

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //I wonder what Mrs Thatcher would have said regarding the gold nose to the plane? //

Mrs T did not have a good record where plane livery was concerned - remember her ringing endorsement of the hideous re-decoration of BA planes which was swiftly and quietly dropped very soon afterwards.

[jim360]

Who cares what Thatcher would have said?

[Cloverjo]

I guess the people who decide these things - about getting the athletes back - thought bringing them back as a team on the same plane would be more fitting. I think it was a charter flight, wasn't it? You can't fit everyone in first class.

[andy-hughes]

Cloverjo - //I guess the people who decide these things - about getting the athletes back - thought bringing them back as a team on the same plane would be more fitting. I think it was a charter flight, wasn't it? You can't fit everyone in first class.//

I agree - bringing them back on the same plane is the best idea - so why not draw lots for upgrades? That way, it's luck if you get upgraded, and no-one feels degraded or resentful.

[Cloverjo]

Yes, good idea, Andy. I think that would have been better.

[Togo]

Have the athletes who did not get an upgrade complained? Or are some taking the opportunity to be outraged and insulted on their behalf? Bless.

[andy-hughes]

Togo - //Have the athletes who did not get an upgrade complained? Or are some taking the opportunity to be outraged and insulted on their behalf? Bless. //

I am not being outraged and insulted on anyone's behalf. I simply offer the point that the upgrading could have been better handled.

[anotheoldgit]

I wonder what Mrs Thatcher would have said regarding the gold nose to the plane?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78CqcbwFeBA

[andy-hughes]

AOG - I stand corrected - my memory has managed to completely reverse the reality of Mrs Thatcher's views!

[THEMOTLEY1]

Surely the upgrade should be veiwed as a reward for success

[andy-hughes]

THEMOTLEY1 - //Surely the upgrade should be veiwed as a reward for success //

I am sure it was - but in terms of a team, it is inappropriate.

The medal winners will have ample opportunity to be individually feted and adored on their return, and no-one would begrudge them that.

But would you always put your goal scorer in the front seat of the coach going home - or would you accept that he scored because the other ten helped him, and that is what the essence of team spirit is all about.

[Garaman]

I think that was probably the best way to allocate upgrades for sports people – perks based on achievement as opposed to a lottery. Also it could be embarrassing to someone if they didn’t feel that they had performed very well and were upgraded when others who won gold medals weren’t.

[andy-hughes]

Garaman - // I think that was probably the best way to allocate upgrades for sports people – perks based on achievement as opposed to a lottery. Also it could be embarrassing to someone if they didn’t feel that they had performed very well and were upgraded when others who won gold medals weren’t. //

Then I think we must agree to differ on this.

I feel that notion of a team, as in 'Team GB' is eroded if we start rewarding individuals in a team setting - which can only devalue the concept being part of a team in the first place.

[naomi24]

I doubt those who didn't win medals are precious about giving credit where credit is due. That's what sport is all about. Quite right to upgrade the medal winners!!

[youngmafbog]

Why am I not surprised that someone with your right-on lefty liberal ideals hates people being rewarded for winning. No doubt you would like everyone to be a winner and all have a medal?

What we have to watch out for AOG is all those sneaking onto the plane to come here!

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //Why am I not surprised that someone with your right-on lefty liberal ideals hates people being rewarded for winning. No doubt you would like everyone to be a winner and all have a medal? //

I assume that little triade aimed at me?

Nowhere have I stated, or even inferred that I 'hate people being rewarded for winning' - your mind does work in mysterious ways!

Nor have I stated or inferred that I would like 'everyone to be a winner and have a medal'.

So, now that we have got your imagination out of the way, let's address what I actually did say -

My issue is not with anyone winning, or having medals, which is why that subject was not mentioned by me.

My point is that treating people as a team - as in 'Team GB' does not allow for additional 'rewards' over and above the medals already won.

I believe that if you are going to adopt a 'team' approach to bringing the athletes home, which is entirely correct in my view, then you dilute the concept of a 'team' by separating some from others, no matter what the reason.

So, as I suggested, a draw for upgrades would have prevented anyone feeling a little worse, having already missed out on a medal, by being marked down further for the trip home.

If you can pick out of that the notion that I hate people winning, then you have an even more vivid imagination than you have shown thus far.

[naomi24]

//as I suggested, a draw for upgrades would have prevented anyone feeling a little worse, having already missed out on a medal, by being marked down further for the trip home. //

I imagine these disciplined athletes are a little more mature than that and in the true sense of the word 'sporting' are very happy for their team mates to receive all the accolades they so richly deserve.