I was a very proud father a few weeks ago when my son Dante took part in his first Community Games event and earned his first CG medal. Every little kid who got involved on the night won a medal. Dante's was for sprinting, but in fact his best event was the sack race -- he bounced his way to the finishing line like a Duracell Bunny -- a shame it's not an Olympic event, or this could have been the start of a whole new career for him!! :-)

The Community Games have been a big part of the Irish way of life since the late 1960s. Thousands of kids take part every year, in a wide variety of events, everything from track and field to dancing and singing to draughts and chess. (Lord Loss entered one year, but was disqualified for cheating -- his argument was that nobody had told him you weren't allowed to eat your opponent...) I took part in the Games back when I was a young lad, mostly in the 100 and 200 metres sprints, as well as the relay. I think it's fair to say I was no Usain Bolt (the first one of you to sarcastically murmur "You surprise me!" is getting thrown to Artery and Vein!) but I did make it to the county final one year, which was very exciting.

Anyway, here's a picture of Dante with his medal, along with one of me with one of mine. The medal, alas, has aged far better than I have, but I guess that's the way for us all, isn't it? The medals and memories stay fresh and shiny, while our bodies grow old and frail.

Well, unless Lord Loss gets his hands on us before the ageing process can truly take hold!