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Your views: Olympic passion Your views: Olympic passion
(about 18 hours later)
Four BBC website readers explain why they will - and won't - be watching the Olympics over the next two weeks.Four BBC website readers explain why they will - and won't - be watching the Olympics over the next two weeks.
LESLEY DOYLE, 38, HOPE VALLEY, DERBYSHIRELESLEY DOYLE, 38, HOPE VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE
I'm going to be glued to the TV for the next two weeks.I'm going to be glued to the TV for the next two weeks.
Tracey Hallam was one of the British competitors in action on Saturday Lesley says she can enjoy watching almost any sport - including bowls
I don't watch sport all day, but I think anything can be interesting if the coverage gives you enough knowledge to let you immerse yourself in it.I don't watch sport all day, but I think anything can be interesting if the coverage gives you enough knowledge to let you immerse yourself in it.
I've even been known to sit and watch bowls and darts when I'm ill.I've even been known to sit and watch bowls and darts when I'm ill.
There are lots of things I love about the Olympics: the guts and the glory, the British competitors and the big events.There are lots of things I love about the Olympics: the guts and the glory, the British competitors and the big events.
But it's often the stories behind the more minor events that bring it alive.But it's often the stories behind the more minor events that bring it alive.
I'm not into the cult of personality, I just wait and see what happens on the day. It's the uncertainty that makes it all so magical.I'm not into the cult of personality, I just wait and see what happens on the day. It's the uncertainty that makes it all so magical.
I've been watching the Olympics for years. I remember watching Alan Wells in Moscow in 1980, and in 1984 Daley Thompson was my absolute hero!I've been watching the Olympics for years. I remember watching Alan Wells in Moscow in 1980, and in 1984 Daley Thompson was my absolute hero!
STEPHEN FERGUSON, 37, GIRVAN, AYRSHIRESTEPHEN FERGUSON, 37, GIRVAN, AYRSHIRE
Stephen feels sport commentary "prolongs the agony"Stephen feels sport commentary "prolongs the agony"
I see the Olympics as two weeks of sports drivel on the telly with overpaid presenters cross-examining every step taken, every stroke swum.I see the Olympics as two weeks of sports drivel on the telly with overpaid presenters cross-examining every step taken, every stroke swum.
What I don't like is that everything else happening in the world goes on the back burner. It's exactly the same when the World Cup's on.What I don't like is that everything else happening in the world goes on the back burner. It's exactly the same when the World Cup's on.
I'm not in to sport - either playing it or watching it.I'm not in to sport - either playing it or watching it.
Instead of watching, I'll be playing with my children instead - that's a different form of sport!Instead of watching, I'll be playing with my children instead - that's a different form of sport!
My 10-year-old son is football-daft, that's the only sport he's really expressed interest in.My 10-year-old son is football-daft, that's the only sport he's really expressed interest in.
Obviously if the British team do well that's great. But this blanket coverage is over the top. It just annoys me.Obviously if the British team do well that's great. But this blanket coverage is over the top. It just annoys me.
I'll be watching TV, just not BBC One. My favourite channel is the News Channel - although there'll be some Olympics on there, too, won't there?I'll be watching TV, just not BBC One. My favourite channel is the News Channel - although there'll be some Olympics on there, too, won't there?
JAMES WILSON, 23, STOKE-ON-TRENTJAMES WILSON, 23, STOKE-ON-TRENT
I'll be watching a lot of specific events, especially the baseball and softball.I'll be watching a lot of specific events, especially the baseball and softball.
I'm looking forward to Wednesday when the Japanese baseball team plays Cuba.I'm looking forward to Wednesday when the Japanese baseball team plays Cuba.
Did you know, baseball is Cuba's national sport? Cuba is my dark horse to win the baseball.Did you know, baseball is Cuba's national sport? Cuba is my dark horse to win the baseball.
On Friday they play the US, that'll be a humdinger. Baseball brings up a lot of tension.On Friday they play the US, that'll be a humdinger. Baseball brings up a lot of tension.
I watch the Olympics for the smaller nations, as I love the fever and passion of their travelling fans.I watch the Olympics for the smaller nations, as I love the fever and passion of their travelling fans.
I also love the way some real amateurs can still make it through to the games - and sometimes downright batty ones like "Eric the Eel" [the swimmer from Equatorial Guinea who took part in the 2000 games].I also love the way some real amateurs can still make it through to the games - and sometimes downright batty ones like "Eric the Eel" [the swimmer from Equatorial Guinea who took part in the 2000 games].
What also attracts me is that some of the gold medals become collectors' items when the sport stops being included in the games.What also attracts me is that some of the gold medals become collectors' items when the sport stops being included in the games.
JOHN MCCARROLL, 65, SHILDON, CO DURHAMJOHN MCCARROLL, 65, SHILDON, CO DURHAM
John feels money and politics have killed the Olympic spiritJohn feels money and politics have killed the Olympic spirit
I am not interested in the so-called Olympics, they are a travesty of the Olympic idea. Money and cheating has ruined it.I am not interested in the so-called Olympics, they are a travesty of the Olympic idea. Money and cheating has ruined it.
Politics is also spoiling the occasion and politics has no place in sport.Politics is also spoiling the occasion and politics has no place in sport.
There's far too much money in the Olympics anyhow, it's show business.There's far too much money in the Olympics anyhow, it's show business.
If we have some of ours in some finals, I might watch that, but I won't be glued to the screen because of it.If we have some of ours in some finals, I might watch that, but I won't be glued to the screen because of it.
In fact, the telly is off and I've got the test match on Radio 4 long wave. It's just been rained off. But even without the cricket I'm not tempted.In fact, the telly is off and I've got the test match on Radio 4 long wave. It's just been rained off. But even without the cricket I'm not tempted.
I might watch Paula Radcliffe in the marathon. I might watch relays and sprints but that's about it.I might watch Paula Radcliffe in the marathon. I might watch relays and sprints but that's about it.
What are professional tennis players doing at the Olympics? What chance have amateurs got against them?What are professional tennis players doing at the Olympics? What chance have amateurs got against them?
I'm a great believer in sport, but all this money - it's even seeping into cricket now.I'm a great believer in sport, but all this money - it's even seeping into cricket now.