CRASHES AT THE OLYMPICS

After the seriousness of Guantanamo Bay and the Court of Appeal, something more light-hearted.

Didn't you love the final of the 1500m short-track speed skating competition? Coming into the final bend, three Koreans had forged ahead of two Americans. Everything looked set for a Korean grand slam, when whoops, a couple of skates touched, and two of them went sliding into the foam barriers, handing the U.S. an ill-deserved silver and bronze. Television showed this wonderful slow-motion sequence, focussing on the anguish on one of the Koreans' faces, as he watched the finish line gradually slide - literally - into the distance.

Yes, it was unfair. And yes, it's hard on athletes that have trained for 4 years in order to have a chance of Olympic glory. But the fact of the matter is that the possibility of crashes is what makes short-track speed skating interesting to watch. The classical version is rather dull, all bulging quads, skin-tight lycra suits and reflecting sunglasses. Watching these brightly coloured athletes go smoothly round and round an oval track is a bit of a yawn. Much better to have the bumps and pushes and jockeying for position and changes of lead and - yes - crashes in the short-track variety.

Purists will knock the appearance of short-track speed skating, along with its alpine cousins, snowboard and ski "cross". But they make for great entertainment. In these straightened times, we can all do with a bit of that.

Walter Blotscher