It's Like 1938 All Over Again.

Or is it?

Today (8/7/12) Scotland's Andy Murray has been defeated in the men's final of the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. However he should not feel too bad because this is the first time that a British man has reached the final since 1938. Later that year Nazi Germany went onto invade Czechoslovakia under the pretext of protecting the civilian population after an atrocity in the city of Ostrava. Personally I thought there was a good chance of it turning out like the last time a British man won Wimbledon in 1936. Then the world was preparing for the Berlin Olympics. As these were hosted by Adolf Hitler even at the time they were dubbed "The Fascist Olympics" although I'm not sure how that differentiates them for all the Olympics held before or since.

At all major international sporting events the home team is expected to do well because of something known as "home advantage." This almost mythical phenomenon is said to be due to things like familiarity with the facilities and an understanding of the native culture and language. A large part of it though is due to the amount of discretion that judges and referees are prepared to give to home competitors on marginal calls. However because while it's irrelevant to around 99% of the world's population the Olympics is hugely important to the world's governments every decision by Olympic judges is analysed in microscopic detail to check for evidence of cheating or some sort of a secret code. Andy Murray's progress to the Wimbledon final was marked by extensive discussion about what level of support the organisers would give to the home competitor from Nadal dropping out making Murray's draw easier and whether all his games could be played on the roofed centre court minimising the disruption from the rain. So a large part Murray's progress in this years tournament was Britain trying to open a dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to find out how much Britain's competitors can get away with.

I just thought I'd mention that in case the player from Dublane - scene of a 1996 mass shooting - got it into his head that his career had anything to do with his ability.