Like most of the rest of the country I have been watching the Olympics; perhaps "watching" is not quite the right word - I've been dipping in and out of the various events as my interest takes me and while I generally have only a passing interest in sport, I have observed something rather spectacular in all of the events that I have witnessed.

In spite of being disqualified in one race, Victoria Pendleton picked herself up, dusted herself down and has gone on to win Gold; during the presentation ceremony, she could clearly be seen singing the words of the British National Anthem through her tears of joy and triumph.

When Tom Daley fluffed his dive and lost the Gold for himself and his diving partner he accepted the defeat with grace and admitted his error.

Bradley Wiggins in the road speed trial, Kat Grainer and Anna Watkins triumphed in the women's double sculls, judo, swimming and gymnastics - all the Team GB athletes taking part have one thing in common and one thing that sets them apart from another sport.

All these athletes exhibit the true spirit of sporting competition and physical endeavour.  This is a manifestation of the true Olympic Spirit.

Compare this, if you will, with the histrionics of any major league football match, either national or international.  Overpaid players hardly able to string a sentence together, let alone remember the words to their National Anthem.  Dropping to the ground with feigned injury [yes, RonaldoI mean you!] Appealing to the referee on the most spurious grounds insisting that they have been fouled inside the 6 yard box in the most heinous manner and that's only while the game is being played.  It is not unusual to read in the following day's news that a player has been arrested for assault whilst celebrating his team's win/loss in a local night club or that a certain player has sold his story of his wild night of sexual excess with 3 football groupies; his mother must be very proud.

What is about our supposed "national game" that attracts the very worst of sportsmanlike behaviour?  Give thanks for the fact that we are currently being given the chance to see TRUE sportsmen and sportswomen winning with honour and fairness.