Not many commentators have had a new word named after them. David Coleman
was the inspiration for calling commentary gaffes - Colemanballs. This term for a blooper
was first used at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. While describing an 800m race David Coleman said:
'And there goes
Juantorena down the back straight, opening his legs and showing his class'.
That's
the fastest time ever
run - but it's
not as fast as the world record David Coleman
A truly international
field, no Britons involved. David Coleman
The Republic of China - back in the Olympic Games for the first time David Coleman
And the line up for the final of the Women's
400 metres hurdles includes
three Russians, two East Germans, a Pole, a Swede and a Frenchman. David Coleman
Footnote This last entry seemed OK until I re-read the last
three letters.
Δ
Best Colemanballs from Other Sports
While Colemanballs are primarily associated with David Coleman's
athletics commentaries, gaffes are to be found in most other sports, here
some of Will and Guy's collection.
For those of you watching who do not have television
sets, live commentary is on Radio 2. Ted Lowe (Snooker)
Steve is going for the pink ball - and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green.
Ted Lowe (Snooker)
Britain's
last gold medal was a bronze in 1952 in Helsinki Nigel Starmer-Smith
Born in America. John returned to his native Japan Mike Gratton
It's
obvious these Russian swimmers are determined to do well on American soil Anita Lonsborough
It's
raining and the track is wet!
Murray Walker (Grand Prix)
Naturally, Yogi Berra predates David Coleman, and it has to be said Yogi
developed a style of homespun humor all of his own. It's also worth
remembering that Yogi was a baseball legend with New York Yankees back in
the 1950's. And he still holds the record for winning the most World
Series.
Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.
Think! How the hell are you gonna think and hit at the same time?
It's like déjà vu all over again.
It ain't over 'til it's over.
Never answer an anonymous letter.
His wife Carmen asked Yogi where he would like to be buried, to
which he replied, "Surprise me!"
The Americans sowed the seed, and now they have reaped the whirlwind Sebastian Coe
Cram nailed his colours to
the mast and threw down the Great Pretender Ron Pickering
Mary Decker Slaney, the world greatest front runner, I shouldn't
be surprised to see her at the front Ron Pickering
Ingrid Kristiansen then has
smashed the world record, running the 5000 metres in 14:58.89. Truly amazing. Incidentally, this is a personal best for Ingrid Kristiansen. David Coleman
She hasn't
run faster than herself before Zola Budd
...and finally she tastes the sweet smell of success Ian Edwards
ф
More Genuine Colemanballs
And there's
no 'I love you'
message because Steve Ovett has married the girl David Coleman
We estimate, and this isn't
an estimation, that
Greta Waitz is 80 seconds behind David Coleman
And with alphabetical irony Nigeria follows New Zealand David Coleman
He is accelerating all the time. That last lap was run in 64 seconds and the one before in 62. David Coleman
He's
31 this year. Last year he was 30 David Coleman
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