Footballers 'Should Mirror Olympians' Spirit'

The Premier League season starts today - but it begins in the shadow of the Olympic Games.

It was hoped that London 2012 would "inspire a generation", and the success of Team GB has not been measured in gold medals alone.

Winners and losers alike have been praised for their sportsmanship and good humour; something that the England manager - rather more used to petulance than patriotism from his players - has noted.
"I think we can learn from how well the athletes perform in interviews after the event," said Roy Hodgson.
"The humility they show when they win, the grace that they show in relation to opponents that they've beaten."

Some would suggest, given the racism scandal, the allegations of sexual assault and the prima donna behaviour commonly associated with professional footballers, that such changes are sooner said than made.
But at one boys and girls football club in Cheshire, the behaviour of Olympics athletes is something they have long sought in their young players.

Colin Dowdy, chairman of Sale United FC said: "We have a code of conduct so we explain to the kids right from the start what's expected of their behaviour towards the referee."

Founded in 1975, and with 500 players and more than 80 coaches and volunteers, it is an attitude not limited to the pitch.

 "It's life skills as well," said Mr Dowdy.

"We try and teach them what's wrong and what's right."

Jessica Ennis has become the British poster girl for London 2012 since her gold medal in the Heptathlon, and Friday saw her cheered by thousands in her home town of Sheffield.

"I think the main thing that's come from the Olympics is how well we've come together as a team - how well we've inspired people" she told Sky News.

"The whole motto of the Olympics is 'inspire a generation'. Just how incredible the athletes have been at raising their game under pressure is something that a lot of people can learn from.

"Hopefully we can create future champions and move on from this."

Her fellow medallist, Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, thinks even football can be a power for good.
"I think a lot of kids like the stereotype - lots of money, nice cars, but I think it's important not to stereotype all footballers," he said.

 "If football's what you want to do there are great role models out there - it'd be easy to pick mistakes and just show all the bad things.

"Sport is a fantastic thing, no matter which one."