Some you win, some you don’t

BRITAIN’S record-shattering Olympians returned home from Beijing this week to a heroes’ welcome.

Fans who were glued to their TV screens are suffering withdrawal symptoms as the countdown to London 2012 begins while others are just glad all the fuss is over.

Reporter Karen Doherty asked town centre shoppers if they had been caught up in the excitement of the 16-day sporting spectacular or left underwhelmed by the expensive extravaganza.

Wayne Harwood (22) from Chadderton was enthralled by the games and said: “Especially because of the team we had, I had a feeling they were going to do well. I really enjoyed the rowing because of the atmosphere — you get caught up in the adrenaline from the commentators.

“China has done really well, I don’t think London will do as well but I think they will do their best.”

Five-year-old daughter Annaliese was also an Olympics fan and asked to name her favourite event she declared “swimming”.

Stephen Beeney (48), also from Chadderton, has been inspired to watch live sport thanks to Britain’s cyclists who brought home a haul of medals.

He was out with his mother Beryl (74) and said: “At some time in the future I would probably be interested in going down to the velodrome in Manchester to actually see some of the cycling there. It’s not something I would have done before.

“And I also loved Usain Bolt (who won the 100m and 200m sprint double). I am looking forward to London and I would love to go to see some of it if I could get a ticket.

“The Commonwealth Games were good when they were in Manchester and we should just try to put a good show on and not compete with China’s extravagance.”

But others failed to be bitten by the Olympic bug, including rugby fan Tommy Cone who is far more excited about Saturday’s Carneige Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.

With sports such as softball dropped in 2012, the 69-year-old from Moorside explained: “If they added Rugby League I would watch. It’s a brilliant game and you have got countries such as Australia New Zealand, Britain and Tongo playing

“They are also talking about a British football team with Alex Ferguson as manager.”

And the Olympics just can’t compare to football for pals Andy Owen, Darren Martin, and Kyle Shaw.

“Football, that’s all there is in the world. There is no British football team” said 16-year-old Andy from Derker, who did admit watching the gymnastics and hockey.

“It’s all about football,” echoed 17-year-old Darren from Moorside while Kyle, also 17, added: “I only watch the Olympics when there is nothing else on. There should be an England team, I follow my country, not the four of them.”

And the Olympics simply passed Rehana Kouser by, with the 19-year-old from St Mary’s saying: “I did not watch it. I hardly watch any TV, I do not have the time.”