Olympic honours
On my way back from V2008 last Tuesday, I listened to BBC 5Live to ensure I caught the final day of action from the Velodrome (and Chris Hoy’s historic hat-trick). Inbetween the updates from the Madison, there was the standard phone-in, notably people responding to suggestions that double gold-medal winner Becky Adlington should become Dame Rebecca - as Cassie Patten suggested live to the masses.
That morning, Dame Kelly Holmes had said that, in her opinion, Adlington isn’t ready for such an honour. But, as a lot of people were keen to point out - she became a Dame after a double victory. Is it just sour grapes?
Well, I generally feel that the honours system has been seriously devalued. Entire teams getting honours doesn’t value individual achievements. Especially when they get it for winning a single tournament that happens every 18 months.
There’s no doubt that most (if not all) of Team GBs gold medal winners deserve some recognition in form of honours. However, it’s about time we looked at the honours differently.
Honours should be a final achievement. The cherry on the top of a wonderful career - the hallmark of an amazing achievement. “Dame Kelly” as she’s known was given her honour at the end of her career, after a succession of international medals - the pinnacle of which came at Athens. Adlington is at the start of her career.
If we gave Adlington a Damehood now, what would we give her in 4 years time if she continues her success? The throne itself? And what about Chris Hoy with three golds at these games; or Ben Ainslie with 3 successive golds (an achievement Jacques Rogge today rated as good as Michael Phelps given the potentional number of medals available at each games)? Maybe a Duchy each?!
And from another angle - the stars themselves already have some reward - the silverware hanging around their necks. If anyone deserves an honour from these games, I’m going to suggest Shane Sutton (and Dave Brailsford MBE (yes, he’s got something already), as well as others in the British Cycling Team. You might not know the games - but without them Team GB might well have 7 gold medals fewer than they do at the minute…
Whilst the honours system should, erm, honour Britain’s greats - it should be especailly used for the ‘unsung’ heroes. Such as the lollypop lady who’s been helping kids cross the road for 30 years, rain or shine. And, regardless of the final medals tally, let’s not use the Beijing successes to look popular and trendy by giving honours again.
~Asp
The Northern Monkey is turning even more Northern next week, as he moves house. Until internet is established, there’ll obviously be no guest column. As the world breaths a huge sigh of relief…
