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Letters To The Dailies: See also: Annabel Crabb, Doug Conway: PM defends 'sullen mood' at medal presentation Letter to The Age On Saturday night, I was appalled that John Howard made what was possibly the most graceless awards presentation in sporting history. Our mean-spirited Prime Minister was unable to raise a single smile for the triumphant English Rugby World Cup team as he was handing out their medals. Is this the man best suited to represent our country in front of millions of viewers all over the world? His shameful behaviour lacked the dignity that his office is supposed to represent - and was, frankly, embarrassing for the rest of the Australian community. Yes, we were all disappointed by Australia's loss in a marvellous, close-fought contest. But in the end the best team on the day won and there is no excuse for Mr Howard's grim demeanour on such a public occasion. During the opening of the Australian War Memorial in London on Remembrance Day earlier this month, Mr Howard declared that England and Australia "are tied for all time by our history". If he really believes this, then his petulant schoolboy behaviour is a strange way of showing it. Mr Howard, is this the model for sporting behaviour which you wish to project to the young children of Australia? And is this behaviour a reflection of the way in which you run this country? If you cannot raise a smile for a rugby team, what hope do you have of extending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate than ourselves in this lucky country: the homeless, the dispossessed, and the refugees who are fleeing conflicts in which our country has been a willing aggressor? Shame, John Howard, shame. I am totally outraged at the way that the English and Australian rugby teams were presented with their medals on Saturday night, and the attitude John Howard had towards them. Mr Howard didn't even stop to speak to one of the English players, and all but threw the Webb Ellis Cup at the English captain, Martin Johnson. Doesn't our Prime Minister realise that every one of the English and Australian team has trained day after day for months to get to where they are. I hope that next time there is a major sporting event in this country that Mr Howard shows more respect for the winning team and takes more pride in presenting the medals. Our Prime Minister is, again, a disgrace. His surly, ungracious presentation of medals and the Webb Ellis Cup on Saturday night was worthy of any discontented five-year-old at a birthday party. Mr Howard demonstrated a complete lack of understanding not only of his role as Prime Minister making a presentation, but also of sport as competition: the victors are to be congratulated, the game - and the victory which is essential to it - is to be celebrated. He did justice to neither team and neither country. And as the leader of a government that is so regularly lax with the truth, you'd think he could have at least faked a smile for this occasion. The sour-faced manner in which the Prime Minister presented the medals to the winning English rugby team on Saturday night was an absolute embarrassment. The Australian sportsmanship, of which he likes to bleat so often, was noticeably absent, and instead we saw a pouting, petulant, grumpy old man who didn't get what he wanted. Perhaps he was "miffed" at missing out on a photo opportunity with our team if we'd won - and the mileage it would have given him in the lead-up to an election. That's probably the greatest game I've ever watched, and our dear leader Johnny spoilt it. Thank you Poms, thank you Aussies. To see the PM's lemon-sucking grimace as he awarded the medals to the England rugby team was both alarming and amusing--I wish he'll pull the same face at the next election. It was worth seeing the Wallabies lose the World Cup final to England to witness the sour look on John Howard's face. I'll bet he was wishing he had delegated the job to the Governor-General and stayed at home. John Howard, with a face that would sour milk, gracelessly handing out medals to the England team after an epic performance made my night. I can go into work today with my head held hight for a change. John Howard has consistently boasted that Australia is a great sporting nation, but when the English rugby victory deprived him of an opportunity to bask in reflected glory he showed his total lack of sportsmanship. In a foul mood and sulking, he treated the victors with a disdain which diminished the event. This will be remembered alongside Sir John Kerr's Melbourne Cup presentation as one of the most embarrassing in our history. Martin Johnson and George Gregan had nothing but genuine words of praise for the opposition and their teams. John Howard's ungracious and churlish conduct during the medal and cup presentation was an utter disgrace. The champion (much as it pains me to say so) English team deserved much better and has been inexcusably insulted and Australia embarrassed. Shame, John Howard, shame. A great occasion, with two excellent teams displaying such passion and commitment. In particular, the Wallabies were so magnanimous in defeat, they gave their all yet still recognised the achievement of the winners. Such a shame the same could not be said for John Howard in the presentation ceremony. Clearly resentful of England's win, he could not even raise a smile when presenting the cup and medals to the English team. His behaviour brought no credit at all to Australia and he could really learn a lesson from watching how the Wallaby team handled themselves in defeat. What a marvellous spectacle we were treated to by the two best teams in the world. Australians at the stadium stayed for the presentation, displaying our admiration for a worthy team. In stark contrast was our Prime Minister's surly and begrudging presentation of the medals and trophy. Shame on you Mr Howard. Your actions did not reflect the feeling of Australia. It would have been more fitting for our Governor-General, the Queen's representative, to present this trophy, as I have noticed that these people are always gracious in defeat. While it was very heartwarming to see a great rugby team get its just reward, it was made even better to see our beloved PM, having usurped the G-G, handing out the medals. The look on his face said it all. Sorry the Poms spoilt your photo opportunity John, but even you can't get it right every time. A heartfelt apology for the behaviour of the ungracious John Howard who we have the misfortune of having as our Prime Minister. Australians are bigger than him, not so much in stature but in generosity. Well done England. It was almost (I did say almost) worth losing to see that look of abject misery on John Howard's face as he sullenly handed the Poms their medals. The Prime Minister often preaches the Australian tradition of sportsmanship, and is a self-confessed sports tragic. That three billion around the globe witnessed the sullen churlishness with which our nation's leader performed the duty of presenting the medals to the deserved winners of the Rugby World Cup is just plain tragic. The Two Jonnies. Big Jonny won the game. Little Johnny gave the game away by his sour attitude at the presentation. Bad sport, Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is definitely not a fan of old Danny Kaye movies, otherwise he would have known that "the chalice from the palace holds the potion with the poison". I guess it was in deference to the PM that the rugby crowd omitted the part of our anthem that says: "For those who've come across the seas, We've boundless plains to share." |
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Published in Melbourne, Australia by the Political Prisoners of the Future.