I'm not a fan nor team follower (nor practitioner
) of any sport, and have not been watching the Olympics except, serendipitously, as a 'newsworthy' clip within an occasional TV news bulletin. This is usually because a 'local' sportsperson has done something noteworthy, since it is normally only the regional news bulletins which I watch. I prefer to get wider UK and world news from radio or online, as having content less distorted by the availability or dearth of TV footage
But I have noted some of the Olympics commentary within radio news bulletins. This morning there was unsurprising discussion of the Team GB 13yo who won bronze in a skateboarding event. It was remarked that gold and silver went to Japanese competitors, silver to a 12yo IIRC; that the Brit had a Japanese mother and lived in Japan; and that typically any Japanese children's playground would have a challenging skateboard ramp.
This last bit struck me. Here in UK, when enthusiasts have proposed the erection of skateboard ramps in public parks and playgrounds, I have sometimes heard or read of locals objecting because 'it would lead to kids hanging around together'; incidentally, there have (over the years) been similar objections locally to at least two proposals to erect Air Cadet huts, so that Cadets of a successful, growing, Squadron did not have to book spaces in a shared community hall.
Is it only a British (or even English) trait for adult neighbours to assume that 'kids hanging around together' (or, worse, enjoying themselves
) would be inherently troublesome ? And further (but as I personally have heard voiced) the suspicion that any adult involved in trying to help or organise them (eg but not only as an Air Cadet instructor, or Scoutmaster or Guide Leader, or .. skateboarding club coach ?) must be doing so for sinister and possibly perverted reasons ?
(mere guide at) Jet Age Museum, Gloucestershire Airport
http://www.jetagemuseum.org/TripAdvisor Excellence Award 2015
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... gland.html