A Stranger's London
THRILLER AT THE COLISEUM
As the Olympic Games entered the second week the action picked up at a faster pace and we began to see other nationals mounting the rostrum to receive gold after the Americans had dominated the games right from the first whistle.The incredible performances of the US team in the swimming, gymnastics and some of the track events have made the American national anthem compulsory listening the whole world over.
Over here in the U.K. the British team has been avidly watched and its modest achievements carefully assessed and praised where victory has been achieved; analysed and commiserated with in the face of defeat. On the whole, there have been quite a few disappointments which had to be anticipated in such circumstances. Alan Wells' humiliating crash in the 100 metres finals against the indomitable Carl Lewis, the agony of the English hurdlers, Ovett - Cruz spectacular finishing sprint in the 800 metres finals. . .
However, at the wee hours of Tuesday morning, for those who managed to stay up to watch there were some events which turned the earlier "oooh's" into frenzied jubilation. Cathy Cook's performance in the 400 metres when she battled her way to a bronze medal was quite impressive.
Then David Ottley, celebrated his 29th birthday with a surprise silver medal in the javelin event. Ottley's opening throw of 85.74 metres (281ft 3ins) earned Britain's first javelin medal in Olympic history and first in any throwing event since Malcolm Noakes won the hammer bronze sixty years ago. As if the spectators back home had not had enough surprises for one evening in the Women's Javelin Tessa Sanderson went and lifted the gold from the hot Helsinki favourite Fatima Whitbread.. All eyes are now on Zola Budd.
AND WHAT THE PAPERS SAID
The headlines on the Olympic performances had reflected on the mood of the country for its contingent in Los Angeles. "Clever Cooky" roared the Daily Mirror the next day after Kathy Cook had won Britian's first track medal at the Games. "Cruz Missile" said the same paper in reference to 20 year-old Brazilian who beat Sebastian Coe to take the gold.Some funny things also did happen in the coliseum last week. Wrote the Daily Mirror's Olympic Diary. "Declan Hegarty, had a smashing time The big Irishman had the stadium in uproar as three times he made a mess of the hammer cage. Once in a warm- up and twice more during the event poor Declan misfired and ended up with the fencing hanging around his ears. Needless to say he failed to qualify for the finals.
THE AGONY AUNT'S HEADACHE
PROBLEM: Dawn is just breaking as I write this on my 32nd birthday. I should be feeling very happy I live with my wonderful parents. I'm engaged to a super bloke whom I love. But every night for the past week I've lain awake, unable to sleep because of my anger and hatred for my ex-lover.I met him twelve years ago and we parted last year. He was married... A few days ago he called round and gave me a bottle of champagne as a pre- birthday present .... I have had sleepless nights ever since...
AGONY AUNT'S ANSWER: I think the clue to your night-time distress and those uncontrollable feelings of hatred for the man you once loved is your 32nd birthday... Your subconscious mind nudges you awake and tells you that this man stole your youthâ
The question is why do people work themselves up over such matters and bother to write to the fantastic personal problem solvers whose answers are so predictable? THE WHOLE TRUTH Magistrates, lawyers and justices' clerks are calling for the abolition of the religious oath in criminal and civil court proceedings. They believe that witnesses frequently swear "By Almighty God to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," without any intention of being wholly honest.
This is offensive for people who do have strong religious beliefs, says Mr Geoffrey Norman, secretary of the Magistrates' Association.
The Law Society, the Magistrates' Association and the Justices' Clerks' Society suggest that a simple promise to tell the truth would do as well.
