Peter Goodland ) gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying :

I don't buy that at all. Who ever took up sport (other than a brief
trip or two to the gym) as a result of watching the World
Cup/Olympics/Wimbledon?

quote
But Coe saved his finest masterstroke for the closing moments of the
campaign when he delivered a very personal speech to IOC delegates
during London's final presentation in Singapore.

"When I was 12 years old I was marched into a large school hall with
my classmates and we watched grainy pictures from the 1968 Mexico
Olympic Games," he told the delegates.

"Two athletes from our home town were competing. John Sherwood won a
bronze medal in the 400m hurdles. His wife Sheila just narrowly missed
gold in the long jump.

"By the time I was back in my classroom, I knew what I wanted to do -
and what I wanted to be. Thirty-five years on, I stand before you with
those memories still fresh. Still inspired by this great movement."
/quote

1. I bet he wasn't the fat kid in the corner who always "forgot" his PE kit
before that.
2. That was Mexico. Mexico's a long way away. So is there a big difference
if it's London?