Are You Sick of the British Olympians?

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Unless you're one of those people who actually reads the newspapers from start to finish, you probably missed out on this, but just to fill you in – there was a big sporting event called 'The Olympics' that happened in London about six months ago. Britain won more medals than they normally do and everyone went crazy for it. Since then, the medal winners have been wheeled out on to every chat and panel show possible, Bradley Wiggins is now Sir Bradley Wiggins and Tom Daley has become a TV presenter (if Splash! counts as a legitimate television show).

But what we wanted to know was whether British Olympians were exempt from the usual flash-in-the-pan nature of celebrity because they're famous for being really fast at running, rather than for going out with a footballer. Or if they've fallen victim to the same overexposure as Odd Future and Kreayshawn, and will soon be left to compete in second-rate reality shows on Channel Five. British public, are you sick of the British Olympians?

Ruri, looking for work: I live in Stratford, and it was crazy over the summer. Everyone says it was great for the country, but I don’t agree.

VICE: Oh yeah? Why's that?
I just think the timing was wrong. The country is in financial meltdown and they spend billions on that whole thing, when they should be saving it and sorting the country out instead.

Fair point, I guess – but are you sick of the British Olympians now?
I mean, the Olympic park is just there – they aren’t going to do anything with it. It’s such a waste, you know?

You're not going to answer my question, are you?
As far as I know, all they're doing is giving tours. You can't even go in and use the facilities.

Fine, I give up.

Caitlin, designer: Oh, wow. I’m Australian, so I don’t really mind them, to be honest.

Okay, what about the Australian Olympians, then?
Well, they’ve all turned into role models and idols. Maybe for the wrong reasons, but I guess they are good role models, you know? I mean, they're basically superheroes compared to people like Kim Kardashian.

Woah – no need to drag Kim into this.

Mark, accountant: To be honest, I couldn’t pick them out of a crowd. I didn’t watch any of it, so I don't really have an opinion on them. They're just healthy people in tracksuits to me.

You didn't catch a minute of it anywhere? Come on – that's near-impossible, Mark.
No, honestly. I pretty much boycotted the whole thing. Now you’ve asked me that question, I guess I’m boycotting the adverts with them in, too.

Alright then.

Joseph, works for Heineken: No. Well, not yet, anyway.

Why not?
I did a lot of work with them for Heineken, so the longer the fake celebrities continue, the better it is for me. It makes my job a hell of a lot easier.

So this love for the Olympians is purely selfish?
Well, I had a couple of boozy Saturdays over the summer because of the Olympics, so I think I should be thanking them, to be fair.

Sophie, student: Well, I think what they did is definitely something to be proud of.

Do you think most people aren’t proud of them?
Maybe. I mean, Britain hasn’t got that much to be proud of, so everyone should just be happy for once.

So, are you sick of them or not?
Look, it was an awesome year for Britain, so stop complaining and being a whiney pom.

Previously - Should the Government Monitor Fat People?