posted Aug 22, 2008

I think we Brits must *really* like that lake... Well done Dr Brabants!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

All I can say is 'we love you Great Britain!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

What a fantastic display. Nobody could come close to him in the end. Good luck for the 500 tomorrow!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Fantastic, especially after the disappointment last time. Well done!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Well done Doc, what commitment following on from Athens, I salute you - go for another in the 500 - yes yes yes

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Many congratulations Tim good luck for the 500 tomorrow. BBC where have you been, at last some mention about flat water racing

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Now I admit I'm biased, but for those of you 'meeting' Tim for the first time with this coverage, let me stress what a fantastic guy and athlete he is.

He is extremely well liked and respected, not just within Team GB but on the world circuit. He is a staunch ambassador for doing things the right way, from his outright opposition to drugs to his support for Right To Play.

He has spent years, putting his career and much of a 'normal' life on hold while he pursued his dream of Olympic gold. He has had to miss out on so many things, when in the cold winters he is stuck training hard while his friends and family are doing the normal family things.

At times it has been so very hard, but his coach Eric Farrell (and his wife Jenny) have given the same unflinching support to Tim as his own family have. He has also been supported with Lottery funding and sponsorship from Human Race and Merrell to enable him to keep competing, and we must protect those types of support our athletes going forward.

Now his dream has been achieved, through sheer hard work, discipline, a never say die attitude, and an astounding amount of heart and pride. So I'm immensely proud to salute him, as an athlete and a person - he's a sporting hero.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

who cares a jot about canoeing, sailing etc, shooting, BMX. It's hypocrisy that people are getting all excited about something that they wouldn't open the curtains to watch for the next 207 weeks

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posted Aug 22, 2008

AndrewFR - sadly, when I open the curtains all I can see is the Womens Institute building across the road. I'm sure if I lived by a river I'd sit and watch any event going past my window.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

20,000 people watched the World canoeing in Hungary. The only real ignorance is to be narrow minded enough to only be interested in sport reaching the back pages of the mass media. The beauty of the Olympics is that these sports, which are followed around the world and in some cases are massively popular, are - in spite of the mass medias best efforts to keep ignoring them in favour of the populist ones - brought to the masses attention. And quite often, the masses enjoy them and realise there is more to life than football.

Massive audiences worldwide isn't hypocritical, it's an achievement of one of the Olympic ambitions and should be celebrated.

Don't confuse mass media coverage with 'interest' worldwide.

Anyway, this is a page to salute a winner, not a whiner.

Congrats again Tim !!!!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Andrew - I'm glad I don't open the curtains anywhere near you. I'd hate to have a neighbour as miserable as you.

Well done Tim, we're all proud of you!

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posted Aug 22, 2008

all proud of someone you'd never heard of a few short days ago. dearie me.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Actually the days are pretty long at the moment, what with it being summer and all.

I used to do a bit of canoeing in my teenage years and really enjoyed it. I got into it through the Girl Guides. It would be nice if the media gave more attention to Olympic sports all year round. It seems to me that our Olympians are far more insporational, and much better role models, than our footballers will ever be.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

I can well understand all of the medallists feeling proud of themselves, but as for other people feeling proud of them…..well, vicarious existence is a bit sad really.

In any case why should anyone feel pride because someone from the same country as them achieves something. Your nationality is merely an accident of birth. None of us can control where we are born, and hence from, anymore than we can control the way the wind blows.

I appreciate quality sportsmen and women. I dont give 2 hoots who they represent.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Oh dear. Trolling about, trying to deny a fundamental aspect of human nature, are we? Now that's what I call "a bit sad, really". Perhaps we should ignore you from now on. Have a nice day, if you can.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

Actually I care about Tim Brabants's achievement. I kayak almost every day. I do lots of races. I try to improve. On balance I'm pretty hopeless and I'll never be a good paddler.

But seeing Tim Brabants win a race with perfect style makes me proud to participate in this sport.

I've seen him training at my club on the Thames every so often over the last couple of years and he's a normal bloke with no pretentions to celebrity; he's always happy to talk to kids and others who are just starting out in the sport.

So yes, it is a big deal that someone like Tim Brabants wins a sprint kayaking medal. It encourages lots more people to take part in a really enjoyable sport.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

To AndrewFR: Not everyone wants to watch a bunch of overpaid men playing football. I salute those who reach the very top of their chosen sport, whatever that is. I'd gladly watch more of it, but the TV will be filled with football for the next 207 weeks. Most of these medal winners are juggling their sporting career with full time jobs. How many of Dunfirmline's team can say that I wonder?

But the point of this is to celebrate Dr Tim's achievement.

Congratulations Tim; I remember you missing out in Athens four years ago despite high expectations, so it's great to see you get the gold you've worked so hard for.

Of course if you enjoyed the experience, how about another medal tomorrow?

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posted Aug 22, 2008

This is Great Britain's First Canoeing Gold.
What a race!
It makes everyone feel good.
As soon as Tim got out of the start, I knew he was going to do it. Usually, he lets the young dudes blast off and die-off. Not this time. This means everything to the sport of Canoeing in All of UK!
We've been watching his progress remotely from our canoe club (FCC, Edinburgh), and we'll be using the video as the definitive technique and preparation model.
TTPP!
Some posters here are exercising their democratic right to be negative. This could possibly be a vain attempt to attract attention.
Psychologically, we ignore all the rest of the news coverage today, and focus on how to use positive things to develop a healthy and happy society. This Canoe Club has 50 youngsters a week going through sprint coaching, and Tim (Nottingham CC) is a Giant Inspiration for them, and us as coaches!
He'll be on-song for the 500m tomorrow. We'll be watching from FCC's Grandtully Slalom Perthshire on a big screen.
David Cuthill FCC

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posted Aug 22, 2008

I'd like to know what AndrewFR sees when he opens his curtains: all doom & gloom, or just the thick swirl of cynicism that envelopes his world.

Whilst some people work hard to win Olympic medals, AndrewFR sits at his PC and insults others who celebrate commitment and success.

Well Done Brabants...I might not know you, but that does not mean I cannot celebrate your achievements.

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posted Aug 22, 2008

AndrewFR: "Your nationality is merely an accident of birth. None of us can control where we are born, and hence from, anymore than we can control the way the wind blows."

Absolutely. I am NOT British, but I have lived here long enough to be proud to call this wonderful place home, and to want to say well done to people here who have worked hard at achieving great results.

I guess the wind also always blows from the wrong direction in your case...after all, you have no control over that either.

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