Rob Rinder: The Coronalympics gave us pure sportsmanship

Natasha Pszenicki
WEST END FINAL

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For the last few weeks, I’ve been entirely obsessed with the Olympics. From the moment they began with their charmingly damp squib of an opening, I couldn’t help but adore them. I’ve basically been living on Tokyo time and when I slept, I dreamt of nothing but gold medals.

I’ve always loved the Games but what got me this time was the way it was boiled down to its essentials. Our Coronalympics stripped away the blaring crowds and lots of commercialisation. What was left was the purest kind of sportsmanship and it was mesmerising.

The finest moment for me was the high jump competition between Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim. Neither could out-leap the other but when it was time for a final jump-off, Barshim asked if they could share the gold. Yes, they were told, but only if they both agreed. Wonderfully, they did, and shortly after placed the medals round each other’s necks. It was the most heart-warming and awe-inspiring Olympic moment I’d ever seen. It showed us exactly what these Games should be: a place to delight in both sporting excellence and the total joy of taking part. All that’s left now is the unbearable wait for the Paralympics.

I completed a guy’s employment appeal forms on a first date to fill the awkward silence

People often ask if I’ve made use of dating apps. My response is always “no comment”. Frankly, all those half-glittery, half-grimy apps aren’t for me. But I have ventured back into real life dating. A friend told me to “get back out there” and out there I’ve gone, to the baffling world of tight shirts, pricey booze and excruciating chat.

I’m not very good at small talk. So far, to fill the awkward silences, I’ve completed one guy’s employment appeal forms and helped another deal with a dodgy repairman. Neither were foundations for romance. What I really want is a scaffolder with chat as abysmal as mine but who happens to like reading and humming along to some Mahler. So if you’re out there, please get in touch.

When it comes to vaccination passports, you’ve got to strike the right balance between caution and common sense

Since yesterday, I’ve been on the high seas — well, the low to medium seas. I’m taking a friend on a cruise round England’s coast. Right now, I’m hopefully drinking daiquiris somewhere near Southampton.

When I told friends my plans, it was as if I’d said I wanted to snog every bat in Wuhan. I’m not worried — the folks in charge have been strict and I’ve handed over enough tests and certifications to pilot a mission to Mars.

Until now I’ve been pretty wary of people demanding proof of medical status. It can be the start of a very slippery slope. But this trip’s made me reconsider. There’s no “one size fits all” solution, but here, where so many passengers could be vulnerable, it felt reasonable to impose some medical entry criteria. As always, you’ve just got to strike the right balance between caution, courtesy and common sense.

What was your favourite part of the Tokyo Olympics? Let us know in the comments below.

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