Gongs for Olympic Team ?

[drdel]

We've set the precedent in pats Games.

So should all the gold medallists gain a gong.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

Considering the easy way they are handed out nowadays - of course.
I can't remember though. Did they ever get round to honouring all the World Cup winning squad yet?

It seems to me that politicians use it as a way to tag onto the feel good residue left after any success rather than as a reward for it's own sake.
Just look at Cameron's last lot of handouts as a base point.

Personally I used to be happy that at this stage they would be guaranteed a medal but it would only be handed out when they approached retirement.
And I think having had to have given something concrete back is a must.

 

[Farmergeddon]

Problem is that in previous games we would win just a few golds and maybe eight or nine others OK they got a gong because were recognised as something special, and they were, because they basically did it off their own bat.. BUT now when they are lavished in lottery money being paid to train and compete they should be expected to win!! However winners in previous games got theirs so as the op say a precedent has been set!!

 

[Norrin Radd]

i really think that gongs for sport are a joke ,gongs should be for work in the community not just because you can ride a pushbike or row a boat .

 

[SteveJay]

i really think that gongs for sport are a joke ,gongs should be for work in the community not just because you can ride a pushbike or row a boat .

Agree with the sentiment, but suggest that some Olympians do far more for Society, inspiring youngsters to get into Sport for instance (Wiggins was the reason Laura Trott started cycling), than certain recipients in public roles.
I am all for rewarding those volunteers who work for charity etc, but being rewarded for doing your job in the civil service etc is inappropriate in my view.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Agree with the sentiment, but suggest that some Olympians do far more for Society, inspiring youngsters to get into Sport for instance (Wiggins was the reason Laura Trott started cycling), than certain recipients in public roles.
I am all for rewarding those volunteers who work for charity etc, but being rewarded for doing your job in the civil service etc is inappropriate in my view.

very much agree about the civil servant gongs ,why do they get them for doing their job ,totally wrong.
a gong should be for going above and beyond ,like you say charity work which in the case of sir brad is properly awarded.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I'd have thought being called an Olympic gold medallist is worth far more than any gong. A don't like honours anyway so my answer is no. If you have to give them out then only to ones at the end of their career and with multiple medals.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

We've set the precedent in pats Games.

So should all the gold medallists gain a gong.

Keep an eye on the gold medal winners for a few years, if they go on to do good work after their sporting days reward them then.

 

[drdel]

I saw an article which mentioned how many of our Knights of the Realm are tax exiles, (Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richards, Sir Richard Branston come to mind) etc. etc.. I didn't like most of the article but it did say that once Knighted if you took up residency overseas you should give up the 'gong' - which seems fair enough.

In my view it has become devalued to the point of being a bit of a joke which is a pity when many who have awards have worked hard for the UK and society.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think some would be worthy, certainly the multi gold winning Olympians who have done it over a number of games. I don't feel everyone that won should be recognised

 

[Hacker Khan]

To quote the official reason why people get honours: -

The honours system recognises people who have:

• made achievements in public life
• committed themselves to serving and helping Britain

They’ll usually have made life better for other people or be outstanding at what they do.

So it is not just for doing charitable work and looking the the definition above then sure, the Olympians who have reached the pinnacle of their sports by winning golds at The Olympics should be recognised.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Surely it's tim for Beckham to be knighted?

 

[Hacker Khan]

i really think that gongs for sport are a joke ,gongs should be for work in the community not just because you can ride a pushbike or row a boat .

Think you'll find that not everyone who can ride a pushbike or row a boat gets recognised in the honours system. Only those that are the absolute best in the world in that sport and have proven that.

 

[shewy]

Should not get a gong for just being gold medalist, charity work and freely giving up there time for the betterment of others yes. Otherwise I've been at the top of my game for 20 years and it serves the public more so where's my gong?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

It all went wrong for Sport when they gave everyone, and I mean everyone, in the England Rugby Squad that won the World Cup in 2003, some of them didn't even get on the field and some backroom staff were acknowledged and then the England Cricket Team en masse for winning the Ashes in 2005

 

[User62651]

No.
Personally I have more respect for those that turn them down, standing by their principles, includes such luminaries as Stephen Hawking, David Bowie, Danny Boyle, Richie McCaw and hundreds of others. Must be fantastic to say "thanks but no thanks, not really for me this honours BS".....respect!

 

[backwoodsman]

No. They should not get gongs. After all, they are only doing what they are paid to do. You, me, and the rest of the country are paying them to practice at running, jumping, rowing, cycling etc. Them doing their best is the least we should expect. If they come out on top then that should be reward enough.