Now what is the reason for holding the Olympics again. Something about promoting world harmony through sporting endeavour. An opportunity for people of the world to get to know sports people from other countries. To realise that these people from foreign countries are human beings with hopes and fears just like you. What better forum for this than the internet and blogs inparticular. On blogs athletes can share their experiences of the Games, post personal photos they have taken, tell the world their unique and exciting story. Just imagine reading, in the athlete's own words, how they felt when they crossed the line to become the fastest person in the world, or to share their sorrow at just missing out.

Oops, my mistake. What was I thinking? That's right the Games are about TV broadcast rights. No wonder athletes can be stripped of their credentials, and presumably their medals, if they are caught engaged in anarchist behaviour such as posting their thoughts on a personal blog. Where would the 6pm news be and after all they spent on the broadcast rights too.

Those athletes are really selfish. Imagine them having the cheek to think they can post a photo they took themselves at the Games on their own website. Even after the Games finish they are only allowed to post professional photos they have purchased.

As part of the privelege of representing your country you must sign a contract with the IOC that bans you from writing firsthand accounts for news and other websites. You also are prohibited from posting any video, audio or still photos you take yourself, even after the Games, unless you get permission ahead of time.

Ahhh that's The Olympics for you, the friendly personal face of international sport. What was their raison d'etre again

to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

cough, splutter, cough, splutter. Yeah right