It has been an absolute choke-a-thon in individual Australian sport over the weekend and I am concerned it may continue.

Greg Norman took the gas in the last round of the British Open. A most expected performance from me but it seems some people out there are surprised by this. The shark has not been put under competitive pressure for some time and it should have been fully expected that he would wilt. I love the shark and hope he can get himself under control for the Senior British Open.

Casey Stoner has been impressive in his performances against Valentino Rossi to date but he faltered at Laguna Seca this morning. With clearly the faster bike Stoner was unable to put a good enough pass on Rossi to secure any sort of gap. The Italian just kept sticking his front wheel straight up the inside of Stoners any time he tried a pass. Eventually young Casey secombed to the pressure and tipped it over in the gravel trap but to his credit he fought on and was able to secure second place in the race.

This brings me to rider Cadel ‘the answer’ Evans who overnight choked the chicken and lost his lead in the Tour de France. I knew from the moment this bloke was trotted around in front of us at the Melbourne cup last year that he was destined to choke and unfortunately it has come to pass. All I could think of at the time was “why are they treating this bloke like some sort of hero? He finished 2nd in the Tour de France, he didn’t win!!” sure it was a good effort but to the victor go the spoils.

Maybe that is what is causing the mental issue with Australian sports people, a public that is too supportive of them? They are too SOFT!!!! I propose a new type of public recognition, if you lose, you get no money whatsoever, no prize money, no government support, no sponsorship money NOTHING!! You are a loser and deserve nothing. This might limit the number of hard-luck stories that we are forced to endure throughout the year. Instead of “that poor bugger, he lost Wimbeldon in five sets” the public can be happy with the hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax windfall he won us for second place whoooo hoooooo!! And suggest to the athlete “bad luck champ, at least you will make sure of it next time loser”.

Thoughts?