For many years I thought that the funniest sporting origin story I had ever heard was the “Fractured Fairy Tales” version of the origin of golf. According to Edward Everett Horton, the Fractured Fairy Tales narrator, golf was invented by a very clever King who came up with the idea of belting a little ball into a hole. The sport he created was so difficult that he, initially, … [Read more...]
The (occassional) magic of Thredbo!
I am one of the world’s crappiest skiers but, despite my crappiness, I have had the opportunity to ski (like a kook) in some pretty remarkable places. Furano in Japan, Aspen in Colorado, St Moritz in Switzerland and Livigno in Italy are all paces that have thrilled me to the core, not just because of the athletic opportunities that they provided but because of their … [Read more...]
Can Usain Bolt succeed at soccer?
A couple of days ago the perceptive and articulate (especially in relation to sporting matters), Peter Fitzsimons, threw his hat (or bandanna) into the twitter sphere ring of people commenting on Usain Bolt’s intention to swap his snug running daks for baggy soccer shorts. Fitz was less than enthusiastic about Usain’s prospects and offered a catalogue of sound reasons why the … [Read more...]
Footballers may suffer from rare disorders!
While many have criticized some footballers (soccer players), throughout the World Cup, for an abundance of what appear to be less than life-threatening injuries, a senior American research fellow in rare illnesses, Professor Gerard Ouchy of the Bostonian Institute for Societal Degenerative Functionality Disorders (BISDFD) has pointed out that several players may well be … [Read more...]
What is going on in the mystery photograph?
Could you guess? No engagement, head butt or red card involved in this image at all. Despite the complete lack of sliding across the turf, flashing of over-developed abs, jumping on each others backs, playing of stacks on the mill, punching of corner flags, giving of esoteric hand signals, crawling along the ground like goannas, pulling off of shirts or performing of back … [Read more...]