Run for PM next election, please? I can really get behind thoughtful, moderate policies like that.
I recently listened to Matthew Syed’s book Bounce which is largely about the myth of innate ability. He makes the point that talent is achieved through 10,000 hours of purposeful practice.
One of the things he discusses is the way sports people speak and why they do it. And it’s all about maintaining a fiction that they need to continue to perform. They have to say things that convince themselves all is well, even if they “know” that it isn’t.
It was an epiphany for me. I just assumed they all talked in clichés because they were copying their predecessors.
I thought it was because front rowers were as thick as two short planks.
The OP also forgot about about the huge rile that God plays in sports.
God’s greatest mystery is how he is responsible for so many victories, but never any losses.
Actually, very very rarely will you hear God’s name invoked in a team-sports match here in Australia. In fact in my living memory (and I’m happy for someone to contradict me here) I cannot remember one single instance of this happening.
I’m sure you’re correct as far as Australia and the rest of the civilized world is concerned. Thanking god for sports wins, Grammy awards, Oscars and the like is ridiculously common here in the US. The frequent references to god in the public sphere is one of the most unpleasant things about living here, IMO. Even Obama frequently throws in a “God Bless America” at the end of most of his speeches.
Next time you’re at the airport, see all the people reading the news section and then the business section and then (maybe) the arts section. It also makes a difference what newspaper they are reading. Many of them will be reading The Wall Street Journal. They don’t have time to read any sports section. Others may be reading the local city newspaper, in which case, they are probably reading the sports section first. There is no reason for them not to read the other sections of the newspaper; however, since they most likely have nothing else to do while waiting.
This is the real reason.
I doubt many people waiting at airports in Australia will be reading the Wall Street Journal. 
I see quite a few people reading The Australian or one of the Major Newspapers like the Sydney Morning Herald or Daily Telegraph though.
Why do Australians hate America?
I came in to say exactly this, in pretty much those exact words. Now I don’t have to.
ETA: But I wouldn’t have included the smilie, because I mean it.
I wouldn’t call it “Hate”, but I’m sure a list of “Things about America that annoy, amuse, frustrate, or bewilder us” could be put together eventually if you were desperate to know.
While the footballer/boxer/track athlete/swimmer/jockey is coming off that focused breathless high of extreme effort, sucking air in hard, struggling to get their breath and gather their thoughts together, at the same time they are expected to form coherent answers to inane and insignificant questions by egotistical ex-jocks helping them fulfill their sports star contracts.
Before they can be in the moment with their coaches, mentors, team-mates, assistants, medical observers and supporters who really are the people that they need around them at that crucial and emotional time that is at the end of any hugely physical sports event before full recovery begins.
A meat-loaf in a very ordinary suit does not a Journo’ or a sports broadcaster make, they are more like an old athletic supporter of sorts looking for some faux scoop for the broadcaster.
All parties excell in the repetitive and predictable pro forma sport speak questions and answers that are so blitheringly snoringly boring.
Ahh jes’ hates it!!
I agree with Martini Enfield, we could make a list-s. :>
I’ve never known any Aussies who hate America or Americans.
Aussies find 'em a little unusual at times, they also drive on the wrong side of the road and they talk funny…they call me “Tearee”.
Aussie’s have always envied and copied the music as well as the diverse cultures, the cars and the bikes.
And they’ve always been as jealous as hell of the low cost of the grog and the fuel!
But you have to start with some innate talent; I do agree that innate talent only takes you a (small) way - the rest is working harder than just about everyone else.
“Well, I’ve been a real asshole lately, so I figure God’s mad at me and made us lose. Sorry, guys.”
One thing I enjoyed out of the whole New England Patriots spygate thing was the press conferences. The team was clearly pissed off at the world and the interview responses were just bare bones, chip on the shoulder, one cliche after another every week.
“They have a good team. We were just able to make a few more good plays, and that was the difference in the game.”
“We’re just going one game at a time.”
Etc. etc. etc.
It came off as, “The NFL requires we do a press conference, so here’s your fucking press conference.”
Because the sportspersons may go on to careers in sports broadcasting, and they need the practice.
I love this one…
[QUOTE=Winning Nascar Race Driver]
Well, the (insert car number) (insert sponsor name) (insert car manufacturer) was great today! I didn’t know if we had enough to pull it off, (name of driver finishing second) was pretty close at the end, but we somehow did it! I want to thank (insert endless list of sponsors) for all their support, the fans, Sprint, the crew at the shop, everyone at (car manufacturer), and my wife/girlfriend. WOOO!!!
[/QUOTE]
Unless it’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. Words just don’t come easy to him.
Let’s not forget the cliched questions they are asked as well. You can guess in advance what is going to be asked.
We’re in the middle of a national election campaign here in Canada. When they interview politicians, you know what we get? Bullshit. Talking points. Pre-determined canned responses that say very little of substance or truth. Explain to me why interviewing politicians is any more informative than interviewing athletes - because from what I can tell, it’s equally tedius mounds of cliched baloney.
Ooooh, how scary, people like sports.
No, wait, it isn’t scary at all. Get over it.