Everyone who knows me, and many who don't but who have heard me speak or followed my social media updates, will know that I'm a big sports fan and, in particular, a big football fan. It's been an enjoyable season for me too, with my team, Charlton Athletic, winning our division with a record number of points, only losing five out of 46 matches.
So I guess I should be congratulating all readers of this e-zine who support Chelsea and Manchester City on their respective successes in the Premier League and Champions League.
And I do congratulate those genuine fans who have seen their clubs achieve something that they have been striving for for some time.
I must admit that the words do stick in my throat though. I do think it's sad that the spoils increasingly go to the teams with the heaviest financial backing, rather than those who have won simply through great management, team spirit and the right blend of players.
Perhaps I'm an idealist (in fact, I know I am) but it's ironic that two teams that have been transformed under the ownership of the super rich have triumphed in these major competitions in an Olympic year.
The 'Olympic Creed' says "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
I fear that we have lost sight of that creed and that ideal. Look across sports and increasingly money talks. More and more professional athletes compete in the Olympics, and there is plenty of criticism at the role money plays in the organising of the games, and the influence it buys.
And it's not just in sport. We have seen increasing anger in the UK and worldwide against people who are perceived to have put their own financial interests above everyone, and everything, else.
In an Olympic year, wouldn't it be great to go back to that original spirit? In our sports, in our businesses, in our careers and in our relationships with others?
It would be a lovely idea but, as everyone keeps telling me when I complain about the money in football, perhaps times really have changed and we all have to simply accept it and move on.
But I hope that's not the case.
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It was refreshing to see the shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg call for public speaking lessons in schools as part of the National Curriculum yesterday. The ability to present oneself effectively is a vital lifeskill, as is the ability to build and maintain a powerful network.
If Britain is going to produce future generations with the skills and awareness to compete on the global stage, such fundamental abilities should be at the core of our learning.
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